Is this normal bfeeding behaviour for a 6week old?

7 replies

Thandeka · 23/03/2010 09:45

We had a difficult start with bfeeding (see here Madam is currently feeding virtually hourly during the day, seems to be permanently attached to the boob- a feed takes over an hour (40mins one boob and second as dessert but she has a couple of 5-10min catnaps during that time) but then usually an hour later (or less) she wants same again (in 24 hours she is usually 6hours on the boob). I also give her 60ml-90ml EBM or formula top ups a few times a day (i pump as she gets her top up esp if it has to be formula to try to maintain supply)- more in evening when she is most fractious and to try and get her to sleep! (she averages about 250 to 300ml of top up in 24hour.
She is slow to gain weight (not quite at birthweight yet 6 weeks in but her birthweight was probably artificially inflated due to my labour drips etc).

I would like to decrease the top ups but cant see how as that would mean even more time on the boob and I am not sure I can physically manage anymore and not have a nervous breakdown! I know it is supposed to get easier but seriously need some hope here as am starting to hit the wall of giving up!
(oh and her latch has been checked several times by diff people and all seems fine- i'm just wondering if my boobs are able to give her what she needs (but then i pump between 30-90ml a time which seems ok for a pumping yield and i know babies are supposed to be able to extract more.

any words of wisdom? (am on fenugreek but doc wont prescribe domperidone)

OP posts:

teaandcakeplease · 23/03/2010 10:21

Sometimes when wind is causing them pain they think its hunger. So you may find some of the fussyness is actually wind related. Have a read here as well.

A baby will always take a top up after you but it doesn't necessarily mean they are not getting enough from you btw. I learnt this the hard way. However kellymom has some good advice about weaning from formula top ups.

I think it is well worth having a chat with a BF counseling or La Leche again tbh.

Are you drinking and eating plenty? This is really important to help your milk supply. I lived on porridge and flapjacks as well as other high energy foods

I would personally try to space feeds out a little more and distract them by taking for a walk or something in between until they get used to it. As it would probably help your supply to replenish more if there was a bigger gap between feeds and then they would be more satisfied from each feed etc. I fed every 2 hours in the early weeks and managed to stretch it out to 3 hourly (no more than that) until closer to weaning when they got more hungry again.

anotherbearlover · 23/03/2010 15:43

I would receommend speaking to a Breastfeeding Counsellor. She will be able to help you to work out what it is that you want to do and how to achieve it.
From your post, I am not clear why you have been pumping and topping up - sometimes this can take longer than just breastfeeding - and gives us more to do than we need with a six week old baby.
Those early weeks can be so challenging and it sounds like you could do with a a proper chat with someone who can help you to see the wood for the trees and get where you want to be.

anotherbearlover · 23/03/2010 15:44

Original poster

Thandeka · 23/03/2010 18:15

top ups as baby lost 14% bodyweight- told I had to by the hospital- baby is still slow to gain. baby was in nicu for first 5 days of life and fed through nasogastric tube for first week so bfeeding got off to a crap start.

Am going to breastfeeding group again tomorrow and will speak to counsellor then- have already spoken to them lots- this was more a post to seek additional advce from wonderful world of mumsnet!

OP posts:

teaandcakeplease · 23/03/2010 18:41

You'll probably get some more advice shortly as LO's are off to bed soon

Sorry things have been so tricky for you and your babe. Hope tomorrow is helpful, you're doing great under very difficult circumstances x

Original poster

Thandeka · 25/03/2010 08:41

she has tongue tie! was checked today- she is being referred for it to be snipped - hence huge long feeding periods and poor weight gain. Grrrr for the speech and language therapist who sorted her latch in NICU for not checking.

OP posts:

teaandcakeplease · 25/03/2010 08:51

Ahhh my son had tongue tie but it was dealt with within a couple of weeks of birth, as it was spotted immediately after being born!

Well that's good that you finally know what it is, let's hope referral and appointment all happen quickly!

Flip