Feeding problems...help!

[Luluringo]

My DD is 11 days old and feeding has been somewhat of an issue since day 1. I intended to breastfeed but due to flat nipples, latching was a problem. She was therefore given a bottle in hospital while I tried Nipple shields, expressing and everything inbetween. However, DD struggled to keep down the formula and was often sick after feeds. After a lengthy stay in hospital, DD began to latch onto the breast , using the nipple shield, and we were put onto a feeding plan in which she breastfeed for 30mins and has 60-90ml of formula until my supply increased. This worked and she was feeding every 3-4 hours. Inbetween, I've been pumping like mad and my supply is getting there. We therefore decided to go for solely breastfeeding as of today, especially since sickness is still occurring with formula feeds. However, today I have been feeding DD constantly. 8am till present ( 12 whole hours). She hasn't slept once and shows no signs of slowing down! Every time she stops she cries and displays every cue to indicate she is still hungry. Sorry about the lengthy post but has anyone out there got any advice? I'm at my wits end!!! Surely she has to stop soon!!!?

I remember feeling the same like all I did was feed and had sore nipples. (Lanalin is great if you get that). Anyway it was just a growth spurt and although he continued to block feed from
6-12 ish at night, it did all settle down. All I can say is keep going with the feeding, all these tricky times are just phases that will pass. I remember at 3 months, feeding became a breeze and the supply and my son seemed to work it out. Hang in there, the benefits will come soon. When he started to take a dummy he settled down too, as he was comfort sucking to get himself to sleep, but it took him a while to accept one.

Sounds normal she msybe having a growth spurt plus cluster feeding to increase your supply, it will settle down and if you can hang in there it will be worth it

Thank you monty and beansprout. It's encouraging to hear that it's normal. She's still going here, 13 hours in! I've never heard of a baby to feed for so long with absolutely no breaks inbetween! It's exhausting! I knew breastfeeding was hard but didn't think it would be this hard. Hoping she might come out through the night. She needs to sleep at some point surely!

Are you sure she is actually getting milk? I had very similar with DS1 (flat nipples, wouldn't latch, nipple shields etc) and he would feed for hours too. Eventually I worked out that his latch/suck was so inefficient that he was sucking for hours and hardly getting anything. If she is getting milk then it might be a growth spurt?

Mines fed for hours and hours. She could be getting your supply back up. Make sure you keep drinking water.

magpie there is milk in the shield and dribbling down her face soon know she is getting something but I can't be certain how much. Her latch seems ok for the most part but there are times where she needs resisted due to clicking sounds. I rang my local post natal ward who said to see it through until supply and demand level out. Still feels like an extremely long time for a baby to feed however. I don't think they realise that when I say I've been feeding all day that I literally mean all day, with no breaks!

Perhaps it's a bit of comfort sucking too, can you see her swallowing or hear her gulping? Is she producing wet nappies?

beansprout She is having plenty wet nappies and she does gulp but there are times when she falls asleep at the breast for a few minutes. She's definitely not sucking rapidly at all times. After today's marathon i doubt she has the energy!

It could be her getting your supply up or it could be a milk transfer issue (milk dribbling down her face can be a sign of transfer problems or it could just be because of the shield). Can you see a lactation consultant just to get her latch, transfer, etc checked?

I always would check by the ear to check DC was properly feeding and swallowing. As pp said and not just comfort sucking. Best of luck to you!

Wet nappies show she's getting the milk. My four day old pretty much fed non stop the other night til 3am but she's calmed down now and it's every couple of hours. What happens if you take her off the breast when she's slowed the sucking, will she sleep on your chest?

If she’s having 6 wet nappies and one poo a day then she’s getting enough but there could be a problem with transferring the milk. The clicking noises could be a sign of tongue tie. I’d see a tt practioner if you feel that DD has signs of tt after reading the link.

As for the supplements, are you working with a Lactation Consultant or a BFC? I’m just wondering who advised you to go cold turkey with them? I can totally understand from what you’ve said why you want to stop but normal practice would be to drop once floz on the first day over the entire day. Have a read of what Kellymom has to say here

Could you call one of the Bfing Helplines and talk all of this through with them? I feel that you need more expert advise than a forum can offer. Is there a Bfing Support Group near to you too and can you get there?

Thank you for all of your comments. She slept (finally) through the night, only waking 3 times to feed. julie the link to that website was very helpful. I think where we went wrong was taking away the formula completely. Today we have followed the advice of reducing her intake gradually by 30mls. She has been sick once but has held down th other feeds with breastfeeding inbetween. I will also get her seen by a tongue tie practitioner and speak to a lactation consultant to check she is latching onto the shield correctly. She is a very dribbly eater on both shield and bottle! At least she is sleeping today!

She's just putting in her order!

That thought used to help me through the mammoth feeding sessions.

Make sure you're eating constantly and drinking gallons. Huge bowl of porridge is a great start to the day.

So glad you found the link useful and you’ve had a better day