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Original poster

Breastfeeding baby can't put down to sleep

137 replies

firsttimemum15 · 05/01/2016 23:15

I don't expect my 6 say old to sleep through the night by any means but I can't out her down to sleep at all. She will sleep after feeds but only on me or partner. She did not sleep for the standard 3 hours in hospital but would sleep in the cot. We've been home for two nights and for both of those I've been feeding at night pretty much constantly. I don't mind but when I put her down she's wakes and wants feeding.

I'm worried about Co sleeping and don't want to do it. I have a bedside crib but I think it's too big for her so have been using carry cot.
Also don't understand how bedside cot works. Babies are supposed to sleep with their feet at end of cot so have been putting her feet at the end towards my head.

Due to the way it had to be set up eg not level with our bed I'm unsure how to use this as an extension of our bed to feed her when we eventually get to that point.

Can anyone help. So many times I've questioned what I'm doing and why. Partner is v supportive

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Original poster
firsttimemum15 · 12/01/2016 16:04

Yes. That's what I've been told by bf support. She's feeding from me whenever she wants and I'm pumping too to try to increase supply. X

OP posts:
fluffikins · 12/01/2016 16:07

I think supply is supposed to regulate at 6 weeks so hopefully you're all sorted Smile

Original poster
firsttimemum15 · 12/01/2016 17:07

So I have a month to go then? X

OP posts:
fluffikins · 12/01/2016 17:24

I think that at 6 weeks everything will level out so if you're feeding lots now your body will be ready to supply that milk everyday at 6 weeks rather than you having to still pump loads but it may well happen sooner than that

Original poster
firsttimemum15 · 12/01/2016 18:55

Fingers crossed. X

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Original poster
firsttimemum15 · 17/01/2016 19:08

Well little one has put on lots of weight so all is looking great on that front. I reduced the amount I was pumping to 3-4 times a day only on the advice of a specialist midwife and checked advice with BF support service.

She will go in pram top ocassionally in day but not really at night still.

However this afternoon and last night I feel like she hasn't been off me. I feel like my boobs are empty. I know pumping isn't necessarily an indication of supply but I feel empty.

I have expressed milk to feed her back. Because she's put on weight I may be advised to stop expressing however this feels like a security blanket for me. I was the same when I was advise t9 cut down which did make sense as I as getting up in the night originally to pump.

Not sure what to do now. Like I say I feel empty...

I may add she has put on 280g since fri. X

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Original poster
firsttimemum15 · 18/01/2016 11:58

Feel like I've been struggling to pump since last night x

OP posts:
FATEdestiny · 18/01/2016 12:37

Why don't you stop pumping and just feed? Xx

Original poster
firsttimemum15 · 18/01/2016 12:56

I'm doing both. Smile don't want to stop pumping as don't wsnt supply to drop. Also following the excellent advice I've been given ☺

OP posts:
minipie · 18/01/2016 14:00

Baby is way, way more effective at boosting your supply than any pump. (Unless there is a latch problem).

It's normal for your boobs to feel less full after the first couple of weeks - that's just your body getting used to making the right amount of milk for your baby so you aren't engorged.

sounds like she may be mid growth spurt.

Original poster
firsttimemum15 · 18/01/2016 14:14

The problem is my supply didn't reach capacity hence why I've been doing both so I wouldn't expect it to go d9wn doing what I'm doing x

OP posts:
fluffikins · 18/01/2016 14:59

Agree, sounds like a growth spurt and your boobs evening out a bit. How old is she now?

Original poster
firsttimemum15 · 18/01/2016 15:24

Two and a bit weeks had a growth spurt the other day

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Original poster
firsttimemum15 · 18/01/2016 15:33

How can this be when I'm trying everything to.increase supply. We've been doing everything this feels like such a step back.

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fluffikins · 18/01/2016 16:26

You haven't had a dip in supply, growth spurts are all the time in those first few months and at two and a half weeks he's feeding loads specifically to get your supply up. I remember going through the same thing having to feed them with seemingly empty boobs but they're not empty and you're doing just fine, just feed on cue Smile

Touchacat · 18/01/2016 16:49

I second what Fluffikins said. I remember googling a lot about supply issues in those first few weeks and now I know I didn't have any, I just wasn't engorged anymore which is normal. If for some reason she missed a feed, eg. she sleeps for a good few hours, or you miss a pump then you would probably know about it as your breasts would swell again.
Just keep feeding when she wants it. Sounds to me you're doing an excellent job!

Original poster
firsttimemum15 · 18/01/2016 17:22

I don't think mine have been engorged. There was a definite supply issue I'm not doubting that.

Thanks for the encouragement it means so much.

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Original poster
firsttimemum15 · 18/01/2016 22:02

Still struggling to get much out and not sure she is getting enough out to settle. X

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fluffikins · 19/01/2016 14:30

When you say struggling to get much out are you talking about pumping? If so then you know pumping is no sign of supply and if you're getting stressed then it won't be easy anyway. If there are lots of wet and dirty nappies, the baby seems fine and gaining weight then you have no issues.

Original poster
firsttimemum15 · 19/01/2016 15:07

I'm not stressed but last night she just wouldn't settle. Yes was on about with the pump have previously got lots off. BF support said she may be feeding more effectively but it just doesn't feel like it to me

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Original poster
firsttimemum15 · 19/01/2016 16:29

Just been advised to try up the pumping again until I go bk to specialist midwife next week

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fluffikins · 19/01/2016 16:38

I think just keep an eye on nappies,
They're the best guide really. And be aware of 'helpful' health visitors and midwives who are often far too keen to push formula - go to the local be group, le leche league or lactation consultant as they'll give you better advice in my experience

Original poster
firsttimemum15 · 20/01/2016 19:23

We have been getting specialist support from a BF worked. Haven't had BF advice from health visitor and would be wary. The midwife I'm seeing is a BF midwife. Formula hasn't been pushed.

Tonight for example baby feels like she's been on me since about 3pm. But mainly doing small flutter sucks.

She falls asleep and when I go to see if she's finished she starts sucking so I leave her.

Sometimes she slips to the nipper so ill take her off. She looks asleep but 5 mins later wants to go bk on.

I just don't know if this is "normal"

On a separate issue how easy do people find it to get out with a newborn. Pumping aside I've really struggled only been out twice in 3 wks.

How do I switch this thread to infant feeding as someone suggested.

I really need some reassurance. I don't know if she should be feeding for this long.

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Original poster
firsttimemum15 · 20/01/2016 19:27

PS nappies seem fine. There are BF groups around run by the people who have been helping me but getting out is hard due to length of feeds but they are happy to visit me and have done regularly. I can ring hen at any point too.

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Touchacat · 20/01/2016 19:44

It is hard getting out with a newborn. Try if you can as it breaks up the day - a bf support group is perfect.
As for the constant feeding that's totally normal, particularly late in the day/ evening and into the night. Mine started from about 3 or 4pm until about 11pm. My backside ached so much from being sat on it for so long!
But it does get easier so hang in there, you are doing really well!