HELP with BF, please!

[allabouteve12]

I've got a 10 day old large baby boy who I'm trying to breast-feed, but I'm struggling. I'm anemic, and have been told that can slow down my milk.

He's on me constantly - 22 hours out of 24, basically, and either feeding or comfort-sucking. He will only sleep on me as well, and I'm getting like 3 hours broken sleep.... he does latch on well, but doesn't seem to get much off me (i think).

He also often will feed for 10 minutes, then start to lay with my nipple - batting it with his tongue, lips, cheeks, etc. and then getting frustrated and start to fuss. I usually can't get him back on that side and have to switch - this can go on for 4-5 hours!

Or he'll fall asleep after 10 minutes, wake in 15, then fuss to switch sides. This can go on for hours as well.

I've had to top up with formula to
A: calm him down so he can BF when he has a complete paddy;
B: skip a BF on me as my nipples are so sore; or
C: or top up a BF.

All the usual advice hasn't seemed to work, and I am about ready to give up on BF, but i know he prefers me to the bottle, and it's better for him, esp, as he's so young. He hardly ever needs a burp after a BF and has never spit up after one, but with the formula, he needs constant burps and always pukes. He obviously doesn't have a schedule!

Does anyone have a similar experience and can offer any advice?

 

[Jemima]

Hi,

It sounds like you are doing a great job! Obviously, he is on the boob a lot at the moment, but this is normal to start with and your supply will catch up with his demand in a couple of days.

He needs to feed a lot in the first few weeks but maybe, if you feel he is not drinking, you could try and distract him for a while with something else? Go out for a walk?

It can feel as though they are not getting much when really they are. Is he gaining weight? Giving plenty of wet/dirty nappies?

You will need to drink lots of fluids to ensure your supply keeps up with his demand.

Try not to give up yet. The first few weeks are always the hardest.

 

[hsollis]

Drink as much water and fresh juices as you can. Sounds like he's just adapting and will settle... The first three or four weeks are rough... especially as it sounds like for you being anemic as well which makes you tired on top of the lack of sleep.

As to the comfort sucking and constant BF, I can't really offer too much as my LO would just fall asleep at the breast after comfort sucking - she didn't really get restless. That may have to do with the milk coming in slower due to the anemia.

The main thing is that you are doing great and as best you can and it will get better. The first 6 weeks are extremely hard but you'll survive!!

 

[Samantha675]

You are doing wonderful hun. The first weeks are rough. I remember my son feeding constantly, but I promise it won't last. It takes about 6 weeks for your milk to become established, and from there it only gets easier. Eat and drink as much as you can. Rest when the baby does, and do the best you can. I know it is hard, but it is soo worth it.

 

[pennysbored]

You really are doing a great job honey. Just keep it up, not only will you start making more milk, but he will respond accordingly.
I won't give you any advice, but chin up, it won't last forever. You will sleep again.
Oh, and have you tried fenugreek? Its helpful for alot of women.

 

[Poloma]

The first few weeks are the hardest when Breastfeeding. He will be on you alot whilst your milk supply is getting established.
You said he was a big baby, how big is he? my first was 9lb 8oz and he was a very hungry baby. I got very sore with the constant suckling (used Lansinoh cream to help)
I found feeding whilst lying down worked really well for us as we could both get comfy and I could give my arms a rest!
He will settle down eventually hun, Im currently Bf my 3rd and at 5 weeks hes just settling into a routine.
Fenugreek might be worth a try to help boost your supply, as I take it daily (and did do with others) along with drinking lots of water and eating well.
Oh and Bf babies can still get wind, if he's fussing alot and not settleing could it be that?
My 5 week old suffers from wind at most feeds, I have found winding him halfway through a feed really helps him settle back onto the breast.
Sounds like you are doing a great job so far hun, hope some of the advice the others have given you will help xXx

 

[vicwick]

Hi hun, sorry to hear your sore. I know exactly how it feels!!!

Have you been in touch with a BF counsellor to help you out??? I contacted my local La leche league leader and she has been fantastic, she's been working with me for 10 weeks as i have had a lot of problems with BF as LO had tongue tie and high arch palette. If your sore it sounds like your latch may be slightly off. I would def recommend speaking to an expert. I must say the BF counsellor in my area i was referred to by my MW didn;t help at all she basically looked at the latch said it was fine and that was it but i was in pain so there was obviously an issue and the LLL leader worked with me constantly, i could ring her anytime and she would come over and help.

Alfie was the same at that stage he wanted to feed constantly which isn't good when your sore but it will help get your milk supply where LO needs it as the more he nurses the more you'll make. Constant feeding is soooo tiring but it does end i promise

 

[rekha]

The first few weeks are the hardest when Breastfeeding. He will be on you alot whilst your milk supply is getting established.

hi,
i have a 4 week and 4 days old baby and have found the same thing! For the first 2 weeks she was on me constantly pretty much like 22 out of 24hrs. At times i found i couldnt even go to the loo! Even i was tempted to start with formula feed as was worried if she was getting enough or not.
But all i can say is hang on and it will get better. we are getting somewhere now...i think!lol
Re sore nipples...i know how it can feel. I had just one sore nipple and always had problem with her latching on but its getting better now. At first it use to hurt throughout the feed but then it went away.
And it will also help you to soeak to your local breastfeeding counsellor...mine was really good and really encouraged me which is keeping me going.
Also do not worry about any other things round the house....just rest and cuddle your baby all day, this will help boost your supply as well.
But trust me you are doing great...just keep going. xx

 

[allabouteve12]

well, we've been to the hossie today with Morgan. I've been saying for a week that things aren't right, and been shouted down by the mw's. I was unfortunately right...... he was dehydrated today when the mw finally came. He'd also lost over 600g, way too much.

so, he was checked out and his kidneys are ok, so he's to get formula 2 oz. x 6 times a day, and i'm to only feed him every 3 hours, for no more than 20 minutes. the lactation specialist will come by tomorrow to help Morgan begin to latch on better - he's not getting enough boob to get hind-milk, basically, and even tho he's big, he shouldn't have been feeding like he was. IE: 10 minutes feeding, fall asleep for 10, repeat for hours; or 10 minutes feed, play with the nipple, fuss, feed on other boob 10 minutes, repeat for hours; or feed for 1 hour, sleep a little while, and feed again. he was getting very little sleep as well, cause he was trying to feed so much so was getting over tired and not sleeping even more. He sucks well, but doesn't open his mouth enough.

doc says this regime will help him gain weight and get my milk going better so then i can go back to BF exclusively.

 

[Jemima]

Sorry to hear you've had more problems. Sounds like you are on the right track to getting things sorted now. If this tells us anything, it's to always trust your instinct with your LO. If you think something's not right, push it with the MW/Doc until they listen.

Good luck with your new "regime". Keep us posted on how you are getting on.

 

[rekha]

hey..good luck and thank goodness you atleast found out what was wrong. Hopefully the new regime will work out better.xx

 

[sam#3]

Good luck i hope things get beter for you. Its so hard getting to grips with it but stick with it you are doing so well xx

 

[allabouteve12]

He's much happier today, he slept in his snuggle nest last night, and in his moses basket today. No fussing, and actually a lot less spitting up and puking as well!

 

[Jemima]

That's good news! x

 

[allabouteve12]

yup! And Daddy has been getting to look after him more (he does the bottle feeds) and as he's sleeping in between us, I'm getting to sleep properly too.

And the nappy changes are definitely more interesting! We are using cloth nappies...... and he's very long, so the combo means he's in mostly 3-6 month clothes - at 14 days!