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Parenting

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Original poster

Help with BFing

13 replies

Beeperbird · 04/08/2018 06:08

Hi, my son is just under 24 hours old (he was born at 11am Friday UK time) by c section.
He’s a whopper (4.3kg/9lb 9oz) And yesterday was BFing fine (sucked for about 10 mins, x10 times in first 12 hours!)
He then had a 5 hour sleep and now doesn’t really want to wake up and feed.
Currently having lots of skin to skin and hand expressing colostrum into syringes but it’s not perking him up yet (been doing this for the past hour).
What else can I do?? In hospital and midwives don’t seem overly concerned but
I’m really worrying!!

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Phizpop · 04/08/2018 07:15

Hi, I'm no expert but didn't want to read and run. Have you tried a cold nappy change to wake him up a little? Pretty sure my now 2week old has a good long sleep the first night (also section), sounds like he has started well which may be why the staff aren't overly concerned. He may just be nice and warm and cosy next to you, try putting him down in cot and he is sure to wake up!! (mine usually does!)

JiltedJohnsJulie · 04/08/2018 07:16

Firstly, congratulations!

Everything sounds perfectly normal. Newborns can be quite sleepy and their stomachs are absolutely tiny. If the MWs aren’t concerned, I wouldn’t worry either but if you do want to try and feed him and he’s sleepy, there are some suggestions on kellymom and some information on newborns here.

MN also has a great section on Infant Feeding here which you may find useful

Original poster

Beeperbird · 04/08/2018 07:25

Thanks! Been 8 hours now since he last fed (well, at the breast). Managed to express about 1.5ml colostrum which he has had but he hasn’t really woken up. He’s had a wet nappy this morning which I guess is good. I’ve nappy changed, put him in his cot, but he just keeps snoozing!!

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ShackUp · 04/08/2018 07:59

Keep putting him to the breast, little and often is good. Newborns can be sleepy. Don't worry if he loses a bit of weight, as long as he is having wet nappies, all is good.
Don't be worried if he starts cluster feeding, he is stimulating supply, it's not an indicator that you aren't producing enough.

If he isn't able to wake up, do ask MW for advice.

JiltedJohnsJulie · 04/08/2018 08:00

They are usually very sleepy. If DH visits today, can you get someone to show him how to Bath LO? That will give DH confidence but should also wake up LO a bit.

How long is it since he had the syringe?

Twins2018 · 04/08/2018 08:01

Keep latching him on. The sucking will bring in your milk faster. My mw told me to wake my newborn for feeds every 4 hours in the early days. Maybe the MW gave him a top up bottle feed while you were asleep? That may be why he hasn't woken up. Your proper supply won't come in for a few days. Drink plenty of water. The best way to know if your baby is getting enough is by the quantity of wet and dirty nappies. Don't worry if their poo is glow in the dark green for the first while You're doing really well. Get lots of rest and keep on top of the pain relief. Congratulations.

Knittingmamma · 04/08/2018 08:05

Newborns can be very sleepy, and it is so tempting to let them sleep and just cuddle them! But you do need to wake them and put them to the breast every three to four hours to stimulate your milk supply as well as keep them hydrated. To wake them try stripping them, nappy change, bath, tickling toes. Congratulations and enjoy your baby!

smeerf · 04/08/2018 09:03

My newborn was very sleepy but you can't let them go longer than 4 hours between feeds in the first week really. It can be a vicious cycle where they're too weak to wake up to feed, because they haven't fed!

Try and express some colostrum with a syringe, feed the baby that so they have some energy, then put the baby to the breast. If he's falling asleep during a feed, blow on his face, tickle his toes and squeeze his bum into your side with your elbow (think playing a bagpipe) - all these things should wake him.

Basically these first few weeks are just a case of feeding almost non stop but it becomes a bit less relentless after that.

Congratulations!

Original poster

Beeperbird · 06/08/2018 07:50

Thanks everyone! After 9 hours in the end of not wanting to latch on and being asleep on Saturday he finally decided to feed and cluster fed almost all day long.... and then did exactly the same thing yesterday (Sunday - a mega mega 8 hour snooze which he didn’t want to wake up from!). Again tried everything I could think of (Bath, skin to skin, nappy change, spooning colostrum) but he wanted his sleep... and then did the same thing again... woke up and cluster fed all day!
It’s now Monday morning and we’re on the same pattern it seems (6 hours currently into this mammoth snooze, doesn’t want to wake up despite me fiddling about with him!)
He’s doing plenty of dirty and wet nappies, I’m home now and the midwife checked him yesterday and he’s fine.
I’m trying all the tips to wake him again now but I’m thinking maybe this is just his pattern and I should trust him and he’ll feed in a couple of hours like he has the last few days. Frustrating thing is I feel like I’d be more rested if I could just trust this is what he’s like... as id be able to sleep when he does instead of panicking every morning!!
Would you keep going and trying to wake him up every morning after 4/5 hours?

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thereareflowersinmygarden · 06/08/2018 07:55

If your midwife is happy I wouldn't worry.

If you're still worried, how about letting him sleep on you, skin to skin for a bit? You'll know he's ok and the contact will help stimulate your milk?

Lie on sofa top less, apply baby only in nappy, blanket over you both and tele on. Chill out- I know it's hard to relax!

Congratulations on your baby, sounds like you're doing a grand job

ShackUp · 06/08/2018 07:57

It does sound like what you're doing is working fine. Has your milk come in? My feeling is that he will start waking up for more regular feeds soon, having lulled you into the routine you're on at the moment - basically, they change all the time when they're tiny.

Keep an eye on his nappies, see how he is at 10 day check and keep going! Sounds like you're doing great. Ask on here for advice.

Original poster

Beeperbird · 06/08/2018 08:33

Midwife was happy he was healthy but did seem surprised about his long sleeps and said I should ideally keep trying to wake him...
We’re having a lovely skin to skin cuddle now... he’s so cute when he’s like this!

I think my milk is about to come in - breasts are really hard this morning and leaking for the first time. Actually feels now if he doesn’t wake up soon they might explode!

OP posts:

ShackUp · 06/08/2018 08:41

Probably a good idea then to feed him now as you'll want to avoid getting engorged. Enjoy cuddles!

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