Feeding/expressing/general help

[DaisyHH]

Hello,

I had my baby 5 days ago, 3 weeks early. My milk had not come in by then so her first two days were on formula. I have been expressing and trying to breast feed since but her latch is not deep enough and I'm really concerned about her being dehydrated so I'm trying to pump as much as I can to top up. My question is, what do I need to do to ensure a good milk supply? How often do I pump? Any tips and tricks for the latch? Her mouth is so tiny and my boob just smothers her face. The longer we try the more upset she gets and the harder it is.

Also, I've noticed that she is straining a lot and she goes bright red like she's holding her breath, what could this be?

Thanks,

An overwhelmed first time mum

I'm really concerned about her being dehydrated

Are there signs of this - Lack of wet nappies etc? How is her weight gain?

How often do I pump?

Depending on your answers about her weight and any signs of dehydration, I'd maybe skip the pumping. You don't need to. I'd do a lot of skin to skin, and just feed, and see how that goes.
Obviously if there is an issue with her weight, or there are any signs of dehydration, ignore that advice.

Her mouth is so tiny and my boob just smothers her face.

When my DDs were tiny I used to use my hand to slightly pull my breast back away from their noses. Not sure how necessary it was but they seemed to feed more easily.

Any tips and tricks for the latch?

Can you get to a breastfeeding group nearby? It will be easier for someone to help you if they can see. She is still very young though and it can take a little while for you both to get the hang of it.

Congratulations firstly.

I struggled a lot with latch with my baby too. He kept sleeping as soon as boob was in mouth.

3rd day my milk came in and I desperately ordered breast bump from amazon as my boobs were rock hard and painful. When it came (I did next day delivery by the way, and ordered breast milk storage pouches too) I pumped and boy the relieffff.

I pumped near night time as that was the only time I felt some energy as I was exhausted in the day.

So when I pumped I would store the milk in the beast milk pouch and put in fridge and it keeps good for 4 hours so when he woke up for night feed my husband would feed that.

For the latch... Honestly, perseverance. Watch YouTube videos too on latching etc. Just keep offering the boob to him whenever you get the chance and you both will work it out. It takes time. You will get there. One tip for good latch i found was make your LO smell the boob first like bring the nose to the boob and then when LO opens mouth, you bring the head to the breast and hopefully she latches on.

Drink water lots of it stay hydrated, eat healthy foods for good milk supy. Oats are really good for milk supply.

I think the straining and bight redness is due to colic or reflux issues? I found Infacol helped my son. Before every feed we would give him Infacol. And also doing bicycle legs etc.

All the best xxx

Check out Kathryn Stagg IBCLC online for great advice about feeding early babies. And ask your midwife for some in person support. This is the hardest bit, you'll get there. Congratulations.

Do you have a local Bambi's team or similar who can come out and see you to help with the latch? Second pps suggestion of gently pulling boob away from nose, also try the football(?) feeding position. Is baby having wet nappies? Also congratulations!!

Oh and the best advice is TTT - top off telly time. Skin to skin all the damn day long, get a good box set and just let baby sit on your boob!

Do you have Instagram? Follow breastfeedingwithbec she's a lactation consultation and community midwife and puts loads of helpful stuff on there! You can pay to have video calls etc with her too (I've never done that but the service exists)

Thanks everyone. I had my 5 day check up at the midwife today and feel a lot more reassured. Baby has lost 7% of birth weight so will be re weighed on Monday and midwife has suggested I feed with my expressed milk and top up to 60ml per feed with formula.

Her straining was put down to wind so I'll make more of an effort to wind and keep upright for 30 mins after feeding but I feel as though this is something that will get worse as she looks in so much pain.

I'm not sure whether I will try to breastfeed and express still, I'm favouring expressing every 3 hours for now until I have enough of a supply.

@DaisyHH I am certainly not a midwife, but I have a baby myself (EBF) and my understanding is that a 7% loss for a breastfed baby is completely normal and nothing to go near a feeding plan for.

If you are supplementing with formula, you aren't telling your body that it needs to make more milk for baby.

We had a struggle around days 3-5 with breastfeeding after my milk came in and baby struggled with the change. I would express bits and give it to her using a feeding cup rather than bottle to avoid nipple confusion. I offered the breast often and had lots of skin to skin - it worked itself out x

@applesandmares I agree with your post.
Both mine lost around 7% I think and it was never mentioned as an issue.

Mine also lost 7% and it wasn't an issue, it was just emphasised the importance of keeping up with the breastfeeding/skin to skin etc to encourage my supply to up. As a PP says supplementing with formula might affect your body's ability to recognise that it needs to produce more milk so personally I wouldn't top up each feed with this (but also - follow your instincts and get 2nd opinions if you're not sure! Every baby is different and you as mum know best).