BFing habits

[Pyrrhic]

Just wanted to know if this is ok/normal or if it's something we're not doing right.

Niamh will sometimes feed consistently for 20-30mins. My BFing counsellor said that when she's done I'll know as she'll pull away. She doesn't though. She'll fall into a deep sleep and I'll ease her off gently and then she'll sleep for 2-3 hours.

Other times though, when she's due a feed and showing feeding cues, I'll try to BF and she will just scream for ages. I can't see that I'm doing anything differently. Then when she finally latches she'll fall asleep straight away. I try tickling her chin, cheeks, feet, undressing her, etc and she doesn't want to know. If I stop BFing then she'll keep sleeping for 5mins then wake up crying because she's hungry and it starts all over again with the screaming then falling asleep straight away.

Any ideas on what I can do? Is this all normal? At what point do they get the hang of it and it becomes a bit more natural and easy?

 

[ryder]

She likely gets tired from sucking as she is used to the flow of the bottle. You will just have to keep persisting if you want her to get used to it.

 

[Serene123]

It's normal, unfortunately. Caitlyn still does it now but I couldn't tell you why.

 

[Samantha675]

sounds pretty normal to me. It takes about 6 weeks for things to get easier, and from there it really only gets better and easier. You are doing great love, just hang in there!

 

[Jemima]

Yes, I think it's normal for their feeding patterns and habits to be this erratic for the first few weeks. I'm sure she will soon develop her own pattern. You are doing fabulously! x

 

[Pyrrhic]

Thanks girls. I feel more normal now.

We had a crying/screaming then sleeping episode earlier when it got to over an hour of fighting, I caved and gave her some of a bottle to calm down. She didn't have much, but we were both getting really frustrated and she wouldn't feed from me.

Hopefully there won't be many episodes like that though.

 

[Serene123]

That's fine! Caitlyn had formula when she wouldn't settle on me after hours and we were both really upset. It takes time. You're doing tremenduosly!!

 

[XKatX]

Have you tried a soother? I didn't want to give Oliver one, but I soon changed my tune!! I always try this first now, before a feed, when he is showing signs. If he just wants a comfort suck, he'll take it. If he wants feeding, he'll soon let me know He is like a different baby now. He still falls asleep on my boob when he is full and happy too.
Hope you find things a bit easier soon x x

 

[marley2580]

It's not a good idea to use a dummy until your BFing is established. It all sounds totally normal to me - there's a hormone in breastmilk which helps babies to sleep and this is why it's often the easiest way to get them to sleep. You'd be surprised how much milk they can get if they stay plugged in while seemingly asleep, you know when they're properly asleep as their lips go slack and they do let go. I would sometime just sit with Kaya attached as at least it meant she was asleep - it's a great time to read books.

 

[Lucy&Pard]

Sounds normal Leo still does all of that! Ive never worked out what it is! Sounds like youre doing really well though well done xxxx

 

[Lucy&Pard]

PS I used a dummy on the way home from hospital and breast fed fine. In fact when he has been screaming at my boob (either hunger or frustration) I have placed him as if to feed but put a dummy in - he is instantly calmed and then I slide my boobie in (sorry only way to describe!) and he is calm enough to feed properly!

 

[PuddlePuppy]

oh my god this could be me discribing B... so good to realise it is not just us.. she will feed sometimes for a good 20-25 minutes, sometimes gives up after 5-8 minutes.. I found 'winding' her and then offering again sometimes gets her going.. but we are only on day 6 so long way to go yet!

 

[marley2580]

PS I used a dummy on the way home from hospital and breast fed fine. In fact when he has been screaming at my boob (either hunger or frustration) I have placed him as if to feed but put a dummy in - he is instantly calmed and then I slide my boobie in (sorry only way to describe!) and he is calm enough to feed properly!

A lot of people have no problem with a dummy, but Rafwife is relactating and having to teach her daughter how to breastfeed again. Therefore introducing a dummy could mean a step back again.

 

[Mrs_Nesbit]

Sammy does it. I just surrender and get myself uber comfy until he lets go, the occasional sleepy suck once in 5 minutes will usually have my let down reflex going again. When he keeps falling asleep and lets go I either wind him or change his nappy. He usually wakes up straight away and realises he's still hungry and gets a proper feed in the end.

 

[PeanutBean]

Yep Byron does it too. It's annoying isn't it? I've no advice to offer, other than maybe leaving the baby crying a while before feeding so she really wants it and works harder to get it. Byron hasn't pulled away in days, he has a good feed, snoozes and chomps on my nipple while he's about it so I extricate myself carefully! lol