Breastfeeding nightmare continuation

[Hungus93]

I have a 6 week old baby (born 2 weeks early) on board, and I'm driving myself crazy with anxiety still. I wanted to quit breastfeeding so many times already but I'm guessing some sort of an evolution glitch makes me keep going. Now even if I did want to quit I don't think I can as my baby keeps throwing up any formula she gets since a few days ago, which she never did before!

Anyway, my issue is that I have huge, saggy boobs which makes it impossible for my baby to get a good latch. I tried I think literally everything. Or I should say tried to try. Flipple, sandwich, nipple shields, rugby hold, etc. Went to see a lactation consultant twice. Saw cranial oestopath three times. Still nothing. I can't get the little one to open her mouth wide enough no matter what I try and I can't shove enough breast into her.

Now, the silver lining is that she seems to be gaining weight just fine - she was born at 3.7kg and I just weighed her and she's 5.7kg as of today, and she only turned 6 weeks yesterday. She also has plenty dirty and wet nappies.

I just feel like something is not right though. She sleeps all the time. She wakes up for the feedings herself but very very rarely has any awake windows. She will wake up screaming for boob, I'll put her on the breast and she'll fall back asleep literally few minutes later. I then take her to change her nappy when she unlatches, she will scream, and I put her back on the other boob and she's asleep again.

She did have jaundice which she was treated for, and we went to prolonged jaundice clinic as her levels didn't fall below 80 at the 14 day check, and still didn't when she was one month old (they were 109). All her tests came back normal so there doesn't seem to be a health issue. I mentioned to the doctor about her sleepiness but they seemed to brush it off as she's gaining weight.

I'm worried she's only getting enough milk to survive but not to thrive. How is she meant to fit her milestones when all she does is sleeping? Could it be that she finds breastfeeding so tiring because of the shallow latch?

Anyone has similar experiences?

Ah bless, I'm glad she's doing better now.

Honestly, if your baby is gaining weight then I would stop overthinking everything else. Yes she’s clearly thriving as she’s a good weight and is content enough to sleep. A unhappy baby would let you know! I would stop researching /overthinking (I mean this in the kindest way possible!)

she is 5 weeks old. Theres literally nothing else for them to do at this stage but to eat, sleep and poo. Forget all these people talking about aerola blah blah. Your baby is taking in good amount of milk and is healthy. These textbooks don’t account for every woman and her baby. You find something that works for you and you keep doing it.

i am also very large chested. And I get its awkward initially. I can only breastfeed sat up while baby is laying on a pillow on my lap. However, this takes a few seconds to do. This works best for my shape. they get bigger and it will all get easier.

I have always mixed fed. 2 of my babies would vomit formula. I would have to stop the bottle once they get to 2 ounces and burp them. Then continue and repeat. This also helps them take a break and realise when they are full. All of mine adjusted and stomach settled by 3 months. Remember their stomach is still settling and learning to digest the formula. This can be a process. It just needs time and a bit of patience.