Newborn not latching

MrsMac5 · Apr 7th, 2012, 14:21 PM

My newborn is now 4 days old and I'm worried about his feeding. He latched on to the left side only in hospital and is still really struggling with the right. He keeps pushing my nipple out with his tongue. He's had 3 wet nappies since born but I can see some orange in then which Ive read means urate crystals. He is so sleepy I'm finding waking him very hard. How can I get him to properly latch on?

Ozzieshunni · Apr 7th, 2012, 14:39 PM

Have you tried skin to skin? Maybe take a nursing holiday. Camp out on the couch with water, books, snacks, TV remote, etc.

Also, you can contact La Leche League or a lactation consultant

Kirei · Apr 7th, 2012, 15:06 PM

I don't want to worry you (I hope someone else with more experience will post about this because I'm not 100% sure about this) but you said 3 wet nappies since birth and he's 4 days old. That doesn't sound right to me. Did you mean 3 per day? Either way, I think it's ideally supposed to be 6-8 per day so I would definitely seek advice by giving the midwives at your hospital a call. I believe urate crystals are quite common and don't always mean dehydration, but when combined with low urine output it does sound like LO could possibly be dehydrated. If it was me I'd give the midwives a call, that's what they're there for.
With regards the nursing, I remember my LO had a favourite side - I think it's quite common. Please try (I know it's hard) not to be stressed when you're feeding or your baby will pick up on it and that won't help you. Just try to feed as much as possible, and offer both sides, don't just feed on the one he prefers. xxx

MrsMac5 · Apr 7th, 2012, 15:49 PM

Thank you for your replies. I've been doing some Internet searching and it seems there should be one wet nappy for each day of life. He was born just before midnight so I guess he is technically 3 days old today. He has just had another wet nappy so that's 3 today ( and 1 over the last 2 days). I just relaxed on the couch with him and took his sleepsuits off and he fed for 20 mins on the side I've been having issues with. I feel so much better. You're probably right, he may have been picking up on my stress. I feel like my milk is coming in now so I'll be expecting lots more wet nappies if things go to plan. X

Kirei · Apr 7th, 2012, 16:14 PM

20 minutes, that's fab! So pleased to hear it xxx

summer rain · Apr 7th, 2012, 16:47 PM

In the first 48 hours it's normal to have only 2 wet nappies as the colostrum isn't very watery and is in teeny tiny amounts once milk starts to come in though the wet and pooey nappies should start to increase xx

Apr 7th, 2012, 14:21 PM	#1
MrsMac5 Mum (Mom) Active BnB Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: UK Posts: 161	Newborn not latching My newborn is now 4 days old and I'm worried about his feeding. He latched on to the left side only in hospital and is still really struggling with the right. He keeps pushing my nipple out with his tongue. He's had 3 wet nappies since born but I can see some orange in then which Ive read means urate crystals. He is so sleepy I'm finding waking him very hard. How can I get him to properly latch on?

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Apr 7th, 2012, 14:39 PM	#2
Ozzieshunni Mum (Mom) BnB Elite Join Date: Jan 2010 Posts: 19,286	Have you tried skin to skin? Maybe take a nursing holiday. Camp out on the couch with water, books, snacks, TV remote, etc. Also, you can contact La Leche League or a lactation consultant

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Apr 7th, 2012, 15:06 PM	#3
Kirei Mum (Mom) Active BnB Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: England Posts: 976	I don't want to worry you (I hope someone else with more experience will post about this because I'm not 100% sure about this) but you said 3 wet nappies since birth and he's 4 days old. That doesn't sound right to me. Did you mean 3 per day? Either way, I think it's ideally supposed to be 6-8 per day so I would definitely seek advice by giving the midwives at your hospital a call. I believe urate crystals are quite common and don't always mean dehydration, but when combined with low urine output it does sound like LO could possibly be dehydrated. If it was me I'd give the midwives a call, that's what they're there for. With regards the nursing, I remember my LO had a favourite side - I think it's quite common. Please try (I know it's hard) not to be stressed when you're feeding or your baby will pick up on it and that won't help you. Just try to feed as much as possible, and offer both sides, don't just feed on the one he prefers. xxx

Status: Offline

Apr 7th, 2012, 15:49 PM	#4
MrsMac5 Mum (Mom) Active BnB Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: UK Posts: 161	Thank you for your replies. I've been doing some Internet searching and it seems there should be one wet nappy for each day of life. He was born just before midnight so I guess he is technically 3 days old today. He has just had another wet nappy so that's 3 today ( and 1 over the last 2 days). I just relaxed on the couch with him and took his sleepsuits off and he fed for 20 mins on the side I've been having issues with. I feel so much better. You're probably right, he may have been picking up on my stress. I feel like my milk is coming in now so I'll be expecting lots more wet nappies if things go to plan. X

Status: Offline

Apr 7th, 2012, 16:14 PM	#5
Kirei Mum (Mom) Active BnB Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: England Posts: 976	20 minutes, that's fab! So pleased to hear it xxx

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Apr 7th, 2012, 16:47 PM	#6
summer rain Mum (Mom) BnB Elite Join Date: May 2010 Location: South East England Posts: 16,346	In the first 48 hours it's normal to have only 2 wet nappies as the colostrum isn't very watery and is in teeny tiny amounts once milk starts to come in though the wet and pooey nappies should start to increase xx

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