First time mum-advice needed

[charlieann]

Hi, I've got quite a few newbie questions and just wanted a bit of advice.
My lad's only 4 days and milk came in yesterday.
- He's feeding for at least an 40min-1hr on one breast, then when offered the other still feeds for another 20mins- 1/2 hr each time with about 1-2hrs between feeds. MW told me he would feed loads due to his size. Is this amount normal or is it excessive?
- For the last few feeds he tends to fall asleep after 20 mins, when i try to wind him or move him to his crib he cries and can only be calmed by continuing to feed, making the feeds even longer. Is there anything i can do to get him to feed in one go?
- When i try feed him on my right breast he still seems hungry afterwards. I know im producing milk as it's been leaking, but only a tiny amount compared to the other side. There also seems to be hard sections, like scabs on the nipple. I dont wanna mix feed and he doesnt seem to be getting enough from just one breast. Is there anything i can do to stimulate the milk?

 

[thelilbump]

the time sounds about right for a newborn to me, maybe a little long but as your milk increases and your baby gets stronger at suckling time should lessen.

the sleeping thing is a common complaint. you can do things to remind him to feed like stroking his face, wobbling your boob a bit etc

sounds like you need a bit of moisturiser, i used boots expert nipple moisturiser which worked well for me. just check you dont need to wipe cream off before feeding again.

good luck and congratulations!

 

[charlieann]

thanks, as long as its normal i shall persvere(sp?)

 

[daisygirl]

hey, does he fall asleep on the breast? mine always used to do that, and feed for at least 40 mins! and also have a boob preferance. maybe try expressing by hand or pump on the other one to get more of a milk supply?

i alway used to think my baby was constantly hungry, cos everytime i put him down he used to cry, and would only be satisfied back on the breast, but later i gave in and gave him the dummy, and he loved it! but its not for everyone so maybe try rocking him to sleep? or give him to the dad to put down as he can probably smell your milk.

 

[Mervs Mum]

All sounding pretty normal for day 4. There are no rules - just keep putting baby to the breast and the signals to produce more milk will get through, then the (.Y.)s will adjust.

It's early days honey but you sound to be doing really well so far. Try not to be tempted to suppliment at this critical stage - your milk will really start to kick in over the next 24-72 hours and the more he's feeding the better.

Bear in mind the size of his tiny tummy not much bigger than the middle picture - little and often is good and it take 10 mins for a baby to decide if they are full, so on and off is very common too.

Well done!!!! Keep at it and the rewards are wonderful xxx

 

[Blob]

Yup sounds normal, your body is learning how much to make

 

[charlieann]

hey, does he fall asleep on the breast? mine always used to do that, and feed for at least 40 mins! and also have a boob preferance. maybe try expressing by hand or pump on the other one to get more of a milk supply?

i alway used to think my baby was constantly hungry, cos everytime i put him down he used to cry, and would only be satisfied back on the breast, but later i gave in and gave him the dummy, and he loved it! but its not for everyone so maybe try rocking him to sleep? or give him to the dad to put down as he can probably smell your milk.

i tried expressing earlier with little success. maybe it was too soon?
i give him to his dad to burp him and put him down to get him involved and give me a rest. he's tends to wriggle and get himself into postition to feed on his dad's chest.

 

[Mervs Mum]

It's definately too soon to express honey.

 

[charlieann]

It's definately too soon to express honey.

When should i start trying to express?

Also how long will baby want feeding so much, when will it ease off into more of a routine?

 

[lauzliddle]

When should i start trying to express?

Also how long will baby want feeding so much, when will it ease off into more of a routine?

I would wait until at least 5-6 weeks to start expressing.

I give alfie a dummy after about 6 days as he would cry when he went down I think he was feeding for so long as he was comfort sucking.
You can tell if he is still drinking if you sit in a quiet room you will here him swallowing also you watch under his chin you can sort of see a break in his sucking.

We still don't have a feeding routine some days he feeds 5 times some days 8-9 for roughly 20 mins but he would just sit and suck all day if I left him there.

But our night time routine is sleep at 7:30 and wakes at 6:30-730 am with no feeds during the night and it has been like that since 4 weeks.

Hope this helps Hun and stick with it as it will make you feel so proud of your self that you can do this for your LO xx

 

[alice&bump]

katie fed like that at first and she was a really big baby (9lb12!) how big was your LO? there's not much advice i can give you apart from what the others have said - they're all clever ladies!! it really does take a while for your boobies to catch up with what LO needs, and it really does get easire xxxx

 

[Mervs Mum]

Dont get hung up on routines just yet honey. You are both still learning to BF and getting to know each other. He didnt have a routine in your womb and it's really traumatic being born so he just needs you when ever he needs you.

 

[charlieann]

It's not so much of getting him into a routine moreso of finding out when he will stop wanting a feed so often.

Thanks for all the advice so far

Alice&Bump - he was 8lb6 and was told to expect him feeding a lot because of his size.

 

[alice&bump]

i'd give it a week or so and i think your boobs should have caught up to what he needs! bigger babies need more so feed more and it just takes a bit of time for your body to realise you've got a big'un!! boobies are a clever thing!!

 

[Mervs Mum]

Dont forget honey this mega frequent feeding is him laying the foundations for established BFing. He's giving your boobs the cues that they need to know how much he's going to need

 

[Panda_Ally]

I havent really got anything to add but i just wanted to say hang in there!! Getting BFing established can b hard but the rewards are so so worth it!!

 

[Brockie]

It's definately too soon to express honey.

When should i start trying to express?

Also how long will baby want feeding so much, when will it ease off into more of a routine?

i remember the first couple weeks till your milk settles baby seems to feed alot! its just how your body and your baby build your milk supply, then it will settle. as for a routine, i think i was lucky with Fred he has always pretty much fed every 3 hours through the day, he would feed more often on an evening, but all babies are different, just try and follow his lead xx

if he falls asleep when he feeds, i found taking his clothes off before feeding helped keep him awake, otherwise they get all warm and cosy and doze off!

and get some nipple cream hon just keep putting it on after every feed, they will soon heal xxx

well done too!