Help! Breastfeeding 13 day old newborn

[duckii]

Hi all,

I feel so lost. I gave birth to a beautiful baby girl a week early via c section. She is now 13 days old and I have been (trying to) breastfeed since day 1. She latches on well, however wants to be constantly fed. And each feeding sessions lasts at least an hour, sometimes 2 hours. She becomes very unsettled in the evening/during the night. On 3 occasions we gave her formula as a top up. About 30ml which calmed her down. However I think this has caused colic/trapped wind as she looks so uncomfortable at times, red in the faces and kicking about. She is doing 5-6 wet nappies a day and 3-5 dirty nappies ( yellow, watery). Trying to give infacol. But more worried if my milk supply is low and if I'm making her hungry? Why is she feeding for that length of time? I feel a bit of a failure and that I'm not good enough. Tired of the tears and exhausted too. Would appreciate any help please. I'm new to all this. TIA

(Ps. She was 6lbs5 at birth and lost 8% of weight and have been told she hasn't lost anymore weight but still catching up to birth weight)

This is completely normal. Some newborns will spend FOREVER on the breast. They don’t just breastfeed for hunger. A big chunk of it is comfort. All of mine did this so I used slings in the day and co slept at night. If baby is gaining weight and giving you wet and dirty nappies it sounds like you are doing a grand job. No need for formula top ups, just keep feeding on demand.

Appreciate baby wearing and co sleeping isn’t everyone’s cup of tea so you could explore other ways to settle. Also, babies don’t have their day and nights sorted yet so unsettled during the night is also v common and normal. They work this out at around 6 to 8 weeks normally.

If she is gaining weight (even though not quite back to birth weight) and having lots of wet and dirty nappies that is a good sign. You are not a failure by any means, in fact it sounds as though you are doing a good job.

It is early days and she may well be trying to increase your supply and going through a growth spurt.

It is hard, the first few weeks, the lack of sleep and constant feeding. Are you getting support from a partner or family? If you can get out of the house to a local breastfeeding group you will meet other mothers who have either gone through or are going through the same thing. Talking about it helps.

If you're confident about the nappies (and 5-6 wet sounds good!) and the weight gain then you are probably making enough milk! Your baby just enjoys feeding!

However, that said, if supplementing with formula gives you peace of mind do it. I did and it saved my sanity in the early days! We still breastfeed at 9 months now! We just limited the amount of formula feeds and breast fed on demand. It worked for us! :)

It's so hard in the early days! But you're doing amazingly.

Ah poor you.
I wish I had known the first time around that some bf babies feed All The Time.
It isn't like the HVs tell you, that they should have however long at the breast and then sleep - you really do have a baby attached to you for what feels.like 20 hours out of 24. That can mean there is problem with the latch but not always.
The more she feeds, the more she needs but your body should adjust soon if you go with the flow and accept that it's how things are for now. That is of course if you are happy to continue.

There is also this thing called cluster feeding, which often happens in the evening or during a growth spurt which is basically contanst feeding from 5pm til 10pm or midnight. it's normal.

If you are comfortable, not too sore and baby has a good latch I'd say persevere a bit and see how you go. I constantly worried with my first that the milk wasn't enough and I was starving her and stopped bf earlier than I'd have liked.
Baby 2 is 19months and we've been mixed feeding since about 3 months old but he still gets bf at night. It was so much easier 2nd time round.
Get yourself some good books/boxsets. Snacks and lots of fluids. Prepare to spend a bit of time.on the couch.
Or if it's too much you can.swap to formula, just do whatever you feel is right for you.

Sorry to hear you're struggling. It's common to think think that babies who are feeding so regularly are not getting enough, but this is in fact producing more milk supply. Embrace the frequent feeds and you will see an increase in your supply. You may want to get some advice from a trained breastfeeding supporter.
Supplementing with formula before breastfeeding is fully established can cause confusion, having said that do what works for you!
I would get back checked out re wind/colic.
Spending some time lying on tummy, across your knee can help and massage, clockwise on tummy .
Xx

If she is gaining weight you have enough milk. And it's very common to be feeling loads at 13 days- supply and demand are still getting established. Just try to relax, rest and feed. It will sort itself out soon.

Totally normal! My 8 week old would still feed all day if I let him. For the first 6-8 weeks they're building up your supply so as much as possible try to limit formula as it may impact on supply (I'm totally not a breast is best person having bottle fed my first and breastfeeding my second but it sounds like you want to bf so it's just general )

It is really hard. I am still finding it really hard to be honest as its very difficult to get anything done. If baby is gaining weight and it's not painful for you then it's totally normal. Get netflix on and some snacks xxx

*Just general advice

Breastfeeding is so hard to start with. I can remember crying some nights out of exhaustion. I too topped up with formula a couple of times and I think the first 6 weeks from 5pm I was stuck on the couch for hours feeding constantly. It gets easier and you don't feel so trapped, think for us was around 8 weeks. I love it now couldn't imagine any other way.