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Parenting

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Original poster

FTM worry

9 replies

Wishart87 · 11/03/2015 15:48

Hello! FTM here, I have a week old baby boy & a couple of questions!

I couldn't BF to start as my breasts were so engorged he couldn't latch, so I am exclusively pumping & bottle feeding. I have oodles of milk & my boobs have calmed down. I have been slowly trying him on my breast & he seems to feed / sleep for 2hours which is only an hour less than I get with the bottle.

My fear now is that he is getting really bad wind/or even worse colic.. What can I do to minimalise this as much as I can?

Another worry is that he sleeps ALL the time. Wakes for a feed, nappy & then sleep. He's mostly awake at night between 1-5am .. Is this normal? As in sleeping ALL the time? He has a brief wake after a feed & that's it.

FTM worries! Ahhh

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tak1ngchances · 11/03/2015 16:01

Congratulations!
At this age, yes all your baby will do is eat & sleep. Probably maximum awake time is around 45-60 mins.

For the colic, we found Infacol great. You can get it in all the supermarkets and give it before each feed.
A tight swaddle is also very good for soothing colicky babies.

bagofsnakes · 11/03/2015 16:18

Sleep wake pattern is totally normal but it will change as he gets older.
Really sympathise with you and your over-full boobs. My DS2 is just 4 weeks and I've been dealing with a lot of that. I've had some great breastfeeding support from my local La Leche League group who've given me great strategies to deal with over-supply/engorgement and a very fast let down. For us DS2 excessive wind is actually caused by oversupply/fast let down and now I'm getting those sorted he is so much more comfortable. Do you have a La Leche group, or other breastfeeding support groups near you?

Original poster

Wishart87 · 11/03/2015 17:12

Thanks guys, feel a bit better now. I thought he may be poorly as he just sleeps for such a long time. Not at night though!

As for the BF/let down ect, what is let down? I'm able to pump 18oz a day, building up a supply. I'm still so undecided on what to do. Really persue BF or have the comfort/safety of EBM

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Original poster

Wishart87 · 11/03/2015 17:13

As for La Leche, I think there may be. Once I'm more mobile I'll go out & about

OP posts:

bagofsnakes · 11/03/2015 18:28

You don't have to out and about, you can just call them. They have a free help line, open until midnight
www.laleche.org.uk/content/get-support as do the ABM abm.me.uk/ these helplines are designed for mums just like us so don't be shy about calling, you could call this evening and someone would be happy to help you.
Both websites also have great information pages www.llli.org/nb.html and abm.me.uk/breastfeeding-information/
The great thing is nearly all BF issues can be resolved if you get the right support. With DS1 we had all kinds of issues to start with but around 8 weeks we really hit our stride and from then on it was easy peasy

rosepetalsoup · 11/03/2015 18:31

It's all really normal. I was the same as you with my first -- tonnes of milk, baby feeding and sleeping. Also she had really bad wind/explosive poo/etc. I tried to burp her and Infacol but tbh I think it's just par for the course. Make sure you sit baby up against your hand and give them a pat, or lie them against you upright and rub back to gently 'burp' them after feeding.

The always sleeping thing. I was worried as a first time mum and would keep vigil over PFB when she slept, barely resting myself. I now think what a fool I was! They stop being ultra sleepy within months and then you will have no more regular sleep for at least 10 years. PFB will be fine - turn off and get some ZZs.

It sounds like you're doing great. It takes a while for their little guts to harden up.

rosepetalsoup · 11/03/2015 18:33

Also I read that your milk is fattier / better at night. Mine used to do this too - feast through the night and be v sleepy in the day. Rest assured she's now two and ate her supper herself with a fork and is now in bed asleep, and will be for the next 12 hours.

allotherusernamesaretaken · 11/03/2015 19:36

Omg, if your baby sleeps all the time then ENJOY IT!!!! PLEASE SLEEP NOW!! This comes after literally staying awake for 7 months with a hellish non sleeping baby.

As for the wind just make sure you wind him lots after feeds. If he is sleeping lots then his wind can't been that bad. Make sure you are using the slowest flow newborn teat

Katekoom · 12/03/2015 03:23

Your milk changes at night, becoming more calorific (?) or something, so they do tend to like to be awake at night. My lo didn't seem to sleep at all for the first week, just feed feed feed!! it feels like such hard work at this stage but everything will settle.

I recommend trying to establish the difference between night and day so they quickly get the idea idea. Try to get outside once a day - supposedly afternoon light is best, and in the evening keep the room dimly lit and activity low compared to light, bright daytime.

Also is never too early to start a bedtime routine. We do bath, sleepsuit, feed, bed every night in dim lighting (after fully lot bath) and its worked as a sleep cue since about 3 week. Lo is 8 weeks now and is all gone to shit but in blaming a growth spurt for that!

Good luck xx

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