Breastfeeding help plz!

[Furball]

Hi everyone, my baby is one week old and I am trying to breastfeed. The first few days I had the usual latching on problems and my nipples are sore and cracked. This of course makes feeding painful.

My main concern is that I am not producing enough milk to satisfy him. He is constantly at the breast and won't settle. My SIL's baby is 2 days older and he sleeps for 2 hours at a time. I don't know what I am doing wrong.

Next week I won't have any more home help and am worried about how I will cope. I have 2 school age kids, the baby, household chores and cooking etc. I had a section so can't get out to any breastfeeding clinics. Plz can someone advise me on how to cope with first few weeks.

 

[Samantha675]

You are not doing anything wrong hun. My son was constantly on the breast the first few weeks. Babies have a growth spurt at about 7-10 days, so that could explain why he doesn't seem satisfied and full. Give it a couple of days for your body to respond and ramp up its milk production. As frustrating as it feels, this is how it is ment to be, his little body is telling yours what it needs, and you will respond. Just try to be patient. Let him suck, and have plenty of skin to skin contact. Also remember that just a week ago he had a constant food supply, that he didn't have to work for. Now he has to work for his food, and it takes some getting used to.

Don't worry about the housework, it can wait a while. Do just what needs to be done, and see if there is any help that can come, friends or neighbors. Having just had a section, you really need to give you body some more down time to heal before getting back into the thick of things.

 

[claire1983]

Forget the housework - I know its annoying and you want to get back to normal but your baby will be feeding a lot in the first few weeks to get your milk supply up and you need to keep your strength up to keep up - otherwise you will get so tired you wont be able to feed. How is the attachment now - is it still sore??

 

[Margerle]

Samantha has great advice! Your baby is doing everything right, and your body is responding perfectly. Enjoy your time wiht baby, adn please don't worry about the chores so much. It was hard for me to let them go too- but it's worth it!

Maybe see if one of your relatives can come in an do some light chores for you, or hire a local teen to help?

I had my DD as a mommy's helper, and she'd often bring her friend over and they would do some simple things too. It may not be as good as you'd do it, but every little bit helps.

 

[Furball]

Forget the housework - I know its annoying and you want to get back to normal but your baby will be feeding a lot in the first few weeks to get your milk supply up and you need to keep your strength up to keep up - otherwise you will get so tired you wont be able to feed. How is the attachment now - is it still sore??

I am a lot less sore now, have been using lansinoh but now when I do feel pain I take LO off the breast and reattach. Also coz he goes to sleep on the breast after like 5 mins of sucking, I have to keep putting him back on.

 

[Baby-Love]

Sweetie, housework smousework..I am a 'clean freak'...and even I have to grin and bare the mess. Somethings aren't worth fussing over. It'll get done eventually and what doesn't get done? tough.. Don't stress..I know it's hard, but it'll soon get better.. Same as breast feeding.. Try a different feeding position, making sure he's latched on correctly.However, some babies just have a super grip.. It'll get easier..
So chill out and enjoy your new found messy lifestyle. Just think of it as your house is 'lived in'. No one expects you to have a Showroom house. If you can, try bribe a family member/friend to help with some housework and some cousins, or friends kids to entertain your little ones to give them some extra attention. A cup of tea, some yummy biscuits/cookies and a hold of the new baby should do it.
Good luck.