Help - New born not settling, breastfeeding doesn't seem to be working, no milk?

[Rldowning]

Hi, I have a 4 day old new born that I had via an emergency section. Since being home the past couple of days she just can't be settled, particularly at night. I try to feed her but as soon as I do, she's back to suckling her hands and constant crying.

I don't think I'm producing enough milk, I tried the pump to check and nothing came out? I called the midwife to ask if I should try a bottle of formula and she advised I shouldn't as she's latching, but my concern isn't necessarily her latching, it's how much she's getting, I don't know what I should do.

You poor thing, you must be exhausted. Do you feel she is getting milk in the daytime? Does she seem full after feeding? Drink loads of water and eat a lot.. this will help. Rest as much as you can and feed on demand as much as you can. Ask the midwife to check she doesn't have a tongue tie- it's very common. Let us know how you are x

A tongue tie can just make it a bit harder to latch on and is very easy to fix (a little snip under the tongue, done by a medical professional)

Find your local breastfeeding support network. Is your baby producing enough wet nappies?

This is all normal. Just keep baby at the breast as much as possible. They need to feed to create supply.

Pumping is not necessary, I couldn’t pump a drop but still EBF, you are doing everything right.

Baby doesn’t know which way is up yet. They don’t know day from night, my DD took 4 weeks to get the hang of that. She was settled in the day and sleepier and wide awake at night.

You don’t need to see what she is getting, just go by weight and nappies. It will all make sense if you keep at it 😊

https://www.nct.org.uk/baby-toddler/feeding/early-days/support-breastfeeding-or-bottle-feeding-our-infant-feeding-line

give them a ring or go along to a support group. They can talk through what’s happening and help you go from there.

Are her nappies changing colour in the correct time scale? If not you need to see a MW ASAP.

Baby is stimulating your supply “putting on their order for the next day” as others say go by regular wet nappies. Very common not to be able to express even when you have milk as the pump stimulates differently to baby. Remember that babies stomach is tiny so is only taking small amounts.

Relax, stay in bed, lots of skin to skin, get drinks and snacks brought to you. Enjoy your baby bubble xx

Congratulations on your new born. Did your midwife check about your baby’s output in terms of wee and Poo? what colour is your baby’s Poo and is she weeing? What you are describing is super normal - all the endless latching speeds in the milk but with more info about out put it’s easier to know how things are going. The Poo will change from black to curry sauce - the more curry sauce the better. You are around the time when it’s often in between the two. Most babies will pop two or more times a day but that will soon increase!

Keep going you're doing great!

Definitely try to find some real life support - La Leche League have local volunteers who could come over to give you some tips / reassurance.

Just keep feeding feeding feeding - and keep yourself well fed and LOTs of water. Take to your bed / sofa like a Victorian lady and don't move! Cuddle skin to skin and feed feed feed.

If she’s producing wet nappies she’s eating. Put your feet up and eat and drink tons so you’re not so tired. It’s always like that in the beginning for me.

As long as there's wet nappies, keep going, honey! There's a point at day 3 or 4 when baby is crying, you're crying and you want to give up, but you have to push through it to get the supply going. Every time she latches, she's sending in an order for production. It's bloody horrible and hard and painful and confusing, but it's so worth it in the end, I promise!