clueless please help.

[magic93]

So my son is 5 days old and I have been exclusively breastfeeding. Its been hard tho because I have flat nipples. My nipples hurt soo much! I cant tell if hes latching properly and im always worried he isnt getting enough. I am thinking of switching to formula, but I know absolutely nothing about formula feeding, I dont know how to make a bottle, I dont even have a bottle.... Please give me some advice I am a first time mom

 

[stephanyox]

I see you dont have any replies.. So ill try and help as much as i can.

Regarding breast feeding.. i was the same, i only breastfed for 3 days until i got sent home from the hospital as LO wouldn't latch properly. I was the same as you about how much he's getting as with a bottle you know,and unless you express you don't. You'll need to really think about whether you want to go to bottle or not, you can always ring your midwife/health visitor about making sure he's latching on properly. As for the formula making, you'll need around 6 bottles, as well as a sterilizer. Normally by the powder it's one scoop of powder to one ounce of water (but don't hold me to that, always check as some are different.) you just mix it with boiled water and shake. Hopefully you get some answers soon
x

 

[magic93]

Thanks i hav e been giving him ready to use formula all day. I really want to breastfeed but it is so hard for me.

 

[melfy77]

Sorry you're having such a hard time I ended doing mix-feeding with DD, and am now doing bottle-feeding only with formula and frozen breastmilk. I also have one flat nipple and DD was able to latch on properly with a nipple shield. Have you tried one? They're a bit tricky to use, but they're not expensive.

As for bottles, not all babies will like the same bottles, so I suggest you try different brands. I tried Avent but it was leaking. I also tried the NUK bottles but she would barely drink from it. I also had old medela bottles but she was swallowing way too much air. So I ended up buying Dr Brown's bottles, and DD likes them, so do I. As for the teats, start with the slow flow ones and see how your LO does. I had to switch DD from level 1 to 2 (medium flow) because she would get bored and fall asleep on the bottle even though she was still hungry.

Formula: you have many options. Start with a normal lactose-based, but know that your LO can do very well on one formula but terrible on the other, even though they all have the same ingredients. Some are ''gentle''. I use Nestle Good Start mainly because she's ok on it. She's gassy, but she always was, even when I was still BF'ing her. Some people only make 1 or 2 bottles at a time, but I make enough formula for 12-24 hours and I keep it in the fridge. I just couldn't take the time the make one at 4am when she is screaming because she's hungry. It's safe to keep formula in the fridge for up to 24 hours. I don't sterilize bottles (my tap water is safe), but wash everything with hot water and soap.

 

[nancy32]

I really want to breastfeed but it is so hard for me.