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Original poster

any other new breastfeeding mums out there?

31 replies

sprite25 · 17/12/2013 11:59

Hi! I had my gorgeous baby girl on Saturday morning and very happy but finding it all abit difficult with the breastfeeding. Midwife says she's latching on great but ALL she does is feed or cry. They say to sleep when the baby sleeps but the only time she sleeps is when she's feeding and wakes up as soon as she's put down anywhere and the only thing that stops her crying is feeding her again last night I had 2 hours sleep and hate feeling so exhausted when I have to look after her so much. Any advice on getting her settled somewhere other then on my boob???

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Quodlibet · 17/12/2013 12:03

No advice but snap! Mine is finally asleep on my lap after an identical night so at least we are not alone. Congrats on your baby - mine was also born Saturday and is only 6.2lb so not a lot of margin for error. Hopefully someone will come and rescue us in a bit.

Quodlibet · 17/12/2013 12:06

Oh one thing - at one point in the night after a really long feed my DP took her away and jiggled her and sung to her in the lounge for an hr and she did drop off - he said he thinks the smell of milk from me keeps her rooting/looking. I think she was still hungry but at least it is possible for someone else to settle her while I get an emergency 2hr nap?!

Original poster

sprite25 · 17/12/2013 12:19

Congrats to you too mine is asleep on me too but dare not move her even though id love nothing more then to go in the bedroom and sleep even just for an hour. DH does his best with her and managed a shower and some breakfast this morning thanks to him but she still trys to feed from him and just ends up in a state. Oh the joys of new motherhood eh?

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Mamabear12 · 17/12/2013 14:00

I would feed my newborn (still only 7 weeks) lying on my side and could dose while he fed. Did that in hospital and doing it now as I type w one hand. Breastfeeding isn't always easy. I find this position best. ESP at night.

DuckSongRocks · 17/12/2013 15:39

Congrats ladies :) My DD is now 16mo and I remember this well.

Few things (you might know already):

they have tiny tummies so need to feed regularly
they are building your supply with regular feeding
they're unlikely to like the Moses basket yet and still think they/you are one person

Tips:

learn to feed lying down, absolute godsend seriously, even if you're nervous at first
heat the Moses basket up and put rolled up blankets down the sides so they feel more cosy and tucked up if you do try to put them down
get a sling
if you don't mind then try a dummy to settle them

Very normal in my experience. At least you have a good latch, that's half the battle in the early days :)

NomDeClavier · 17/12/2013 15:45

DD is 5 days old so the constant feeding is familiar! Day 3 was probably the worst just before my milk came in because she was HUNGRY. I have discovered though, that I can put her down once she sleeps even if she wakes wanting another feed after an hour. DS I couldn't because he had reflux and lying down was literally painful for him so:

get checked for silent reflux, often babies want to constantly feed because if they're swallowing the acid isn't coming up their throat
try tilting the Moses basket or crib up slightly at the end
slings are your friend, reflux or not!

You are doing brilliantly :) stick with it :) it does pass.

Original poster

sprite25 · 17/12/2013 16:07

Thanks for all the the replies, it does help knowing its normal and will get better. Had another visit from midwife who was reassuring and showed me how to feed lying down and to warm moses basket 1st, so tried that and it seemed to work....for about 5 minutes :( so im now sitting here feeding her again with THE most sore nipples while DH has a nap so he can be more helpful in the night.

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Trooperslane · 17/12/2013 19:19

Ducks nailed it - listen to that

Congrats. A lovely but exhausting time. X

Trooperslane · 17/12/2013 19:21

Oh and lashings of lansinoh - I hope I won't be censored for the recommendation but myself and friends found it the best by a country mile.

BertieBowtiesAreCool · 17/12/2013 19:24

There is a really good breastfeeding support section on here, try posting there as well :) Lots of very experienced ladies plus TikTok who is a breastfeeding counsellor and pops up from time to time.

Congratulations on your new baby :)

MamaMolho · 17/12/2013 19:33

I would echo the advice above. My baby was the same at the beginning but she's 11 weeks old tomorrow and it does get easier. I fed lying down and co-slept to get some rest and during the day just sat on the sofa with lots of treats and the remote control to hand and just went with it. Congrats and enjoy your new baby.

QTPie · 17/12/2013 20:59

This reply has been withdrawn

This has been withdrawn by MNHQ at the poster's request.

TheGreatHunt · 18/12/2013 06:30

Try not to stresss about getting baby into the basket. I had to feed for ages, then put them on my chest and wind gently to bring up the air. It was easier to settle them in the day so I slept then and dozed at night.

Original poster

sprite25 · 18/12/2013 11:30

So good to hear from all you ladies. Yesterday and last night was a bit of a mixed bag. Started feeling down and emotional so ended up having abit of a cry when DD got into a state and wouldn't latch on properly. I've been using the lanisoh and a nipple shield when its really unbearable. The midwife says that DD has abit of a tongue tie but that it doesn't seem to affect her latching on but can't help wonder if it does as I am getting sore?

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crikeybadger · 18/12/2013 11:37

Yes, that could be why you are getting sore. Don't be fobbed off with "the latch looks fine"....it might from the outside but they can't see what 's happening inside the mouth!

True, some babies can manage fine with a tt, but others won't, so you may need to push for the snip. ( painless --and quick).

On the attachment, try and get a deep latch, bring your baby in really close so there is no gap between you, wait for wide mouth then bring to the breast quickly, chin first, more areola covered below the nipple than above.

Don't put up with sore nipples, you shouldn't have to be in pain!

crikeybadger · 18/12/2013 11:40

Oh and one more thing...if you really feel that you want to put your baby in the Moses, wait 20 mins or so till you move them. That way they are in a deep sleep and less likely to wake. Failing that just enjoy lots of skin to skin cuddles.

QTPie · 18/12/2013 11:42

This reply has been withdrawn

This has been withdrawn by MNHQ at the poster's request.

Jackanory1978 · 18/12/2013 14:23

My ds is 8 months now & I actually miss cuddling on the sofa all day reading books/crap TV whilst he fed. Now he's crawling & into everything! He's much harder to entertain now. Bf are 5 minutes at a time if I'm lucky!

I didn't realise until I had ds but newborns feed all the time, day & night. For hours! They need to to establish a good supply & the milk passes through their tiny tummies so fast that they become hungry again shortly after a feed. Plus they're learning how to feed, eventually they become more efficient. It was about 12 weeks when the long feeds started to stop.

I also didn't realise that my ds would hate the basket & want to sleep on me (no one tells you anything useful when you're pregnant!). I let him nap on me in the day & somehow got through the nights! It doesn't last forever I promise.

Original poster

sprite25 · 18/12/2013 15:30

Thanks so much for all the posts and advice, im waiting on a call from the midwife so will mention the tongue tie and latching again, although she said latch looks fine babies bottom lip rarely looks like its rolled out against my skin the way its meant to? (currently sitting here feeding her with the nipple shield as it felt like the end of my nipple was being bitten off :() I haven't been using the lanisoh EVERY time but think I will start, sometimes looks like my nipple has massive open cracks in it and makes me feel abit queasy anything touching it!

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Quodlibet · 18/12/2013 17:15

Sprite definitely put lanisoh on every time. I am sometimes successful at gently rolling bottom lip out by pulling underneath on her chin with my finger if she's gone on wrong.
I have been hand-expressing today, just a few mls but it means my DP has been able to give her that with a before/between feeds to take the edge of the urgency.

It is so hard! Loads of good advice here, thank you MN wisdom.

Jackanory1978 · 18/12/2013 19:11

My right nipple ended up with a massive open sore; agony! All healed now, but it brought tears to my eyes each time he latched on. Strangly once he was latched on it no longer hurt. I used lanisoh before & after each feed (doesn't matter if it goes in their mouths).

Bf was very difficult & really painful at your stage but I promise it gets better, & now it's ridiculously easy!

Original poster

sprite25 · 18/12/2013 19:32

Read up abit about tongue tie and all the things on there said exactly how DD is, spoke to midwife and she said to make an appointment tomorrow morning to get it snipped. Already feel guilty and anxious about getting that done to my poor tiny baby but glad that there's something that can be done to help her and its gonna be done soon, its meant to be relatively painless and instantly eases latching and feeding :S jackanory that sounds awful! Glad to know there is light at the end of the tunnel though

OP posts:

crikeybadger · 18/12/2013 21:10

That's good news sprite. it might take a couple of days for your LO to relearn how to use their tongue, but it should bring about pain free feeding - cracks are not good and shouldn't be dismissed.

I know you said you are anxious and of course you will be, but it really is a quick procedure and you'll get your baby back to feed straight away.

Hope all goes well

MJP1 · 18/12/2013 21:22

Well done xx all great advice, rub breast milk onto your cracked nipples it will really help to heal them.

Relax and enjoy the close times, I didn't and now she is 10 months I wish I had let her sleep on me when she was ickle I was quick to put her in her Moses basket or cot, she is a wonderful sleeper but will not sleep on me now she is a stickler for her own space.

Congratulations xxx

allyoopkry · 18/12/2013 22:00

That's normal for the first while. Baby doesn't understand she is a separate reason from you. All new borns do is sleep eat and cry. Oh and poo
Your baby will gradually become more content with being placed down as she gets older. Right now she is scared and unsure. Have someone else hold her so you can get some sleep. It will get easier! My babe is 4 months and it's such a big difference from when she was a new born.

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