I feel so depressed

[Novbaby08]

So I plan to bf, but my milk hasn't come in yet, and Harley just seemed to be suffering, not getting enough from me, so I gave in, and have been giving her formula, but plan to bf only as soon as my milk comes in. She was so lethargic she wouldn't wake up, she slept non stop and it as just so painful to see my baby so listless. So you think I'm just being silly. I really worried because I've never seen a newborn so completely lethargic, and when I would try to nurse her, she didn't have the energy she was too tired, and would just fall asleep after latching on. Any ideas?

 

[fairywings]

Is he maybe Jaundiced? That can make babies very tired, Amy had it and slept constantly for two weeks, but they said she had it . . . so I am not sure. Maybe take her to the GP/health visitor.. Does his eyes have a strange tint of colour to them as that is a sign of jaundice?

Don't worry if it is, there are solutions to it, which they will tell you about if he does. But I would check with a health care professional.

good luck. x

 

[Samantha675]

You gotta get her to the breast and keep her there for your milk to come in. She will have to work for it. Your body will take cues from her and get things going. She has just been through a major life change, going from a constantly warm, wet, soft snuggly dark enviornment to the world outside. it would wear anyone out. So just be patient with her. Also remember that her little tummy is TINY right now, and since she has never had to work for her food, it will wear her out quickly. She has never had to use her muscles to suck before, and it take a little time to build them up. What I did the first week I was home with my son, was stay in bed with him, have plenty of skin to skin contact and let him feed as much as he wanted. I kept him at the breast, let him sleep on it, nuzzle and feed how ever he wanted. You milk will come in, it just takes a couple of days, and the colostrum you are producing is very important for baby as it helps set up her immune system. So my advise, is to ditch the formula and head to bed with that sweet baby!!!

 

[Samantha675]

Oh and good luck hun. BFing at first is a LOT of hard work, but it pays off in the end and gets easier and easier.

 

[Heather.78]

oh hun the start of breastfeeding is really hard, try not to worry about bubs sleeping thats all maiya did for the first week, I did giive into the bottle at first for the same reason, and kept pumping for about a week then the milk came in on the 4 or 5 day and bingo happy baby, keep going hun your doing really well, once you get past this point everything will settle done I also found the la leche i think thats how you spell it forum really helpful there leaders are so good at helping with all bf problems or worrys. be proud of yourself for wanting to do it, your probably still knackered from the birth as well. Maiya and i had a hard road back to breastfeeding but it was so worth the effort and the tubes of nipple cream hehe take care sweetie and rest as much as you can

 

[Jemima]

Aw, I feel for you, I really do. I had the same problem when Poppy was born, she lost loads of weight during the first few days. We had to be re-admitted to hospital overnight to get her weight back up.

Apart from what the other girls have advised about keeping the baby on the breast at all time, the only thing I can advise is that I pumped overnight (just for one night) while we were in hospital and that seemed to get things moving and get my milk flowing. We only had to use one formula top-up and I just perservered with the constant feeding and now she has piled on the pounds (seven weeks today and has gained 3lb 7oz!)

Keep going, you are doing really well

 

[Novbaby08]

ok my milk came in today!! I'm still working with her on breastfeeding, still a bit of trouble but its getting better, yeah she's a bit jaundice. Hopefully things get better

 

[fairywings]

Aw, so pleased your milk has come in. If she is jaundiced try feeding her in daylight, or putting her in daylight, like by a window, That is what I was told to do. Things WILL get better! x

 

[Novbaby08]

Thanks, I just am feeling kinda down still about breastfeeding, still a struggle, but someone told me the first week is always difficult.

 

[AC81]

Yes the first week or so really is a struggle. I nearly packed it in sooo many times when my nipples had skin flaking off them or were cracked and bleeding, BUT it does get easier! Erin is still only 2 and a bit weeks old, but already its improved so much.

Hang in there!

 

[Samantha675]

Thanks, I just am feeling kinda down still about breastfeeding, still a struggle, but someone told me the first week is always difficult.

Honey, I will be totally honest. For me, and a lot of women I know, the first 6 weeks are really freaking hard. The baby eats all the time, you are tired, you are unsure, it is just plain hard. There were times when my son would cluster feed from 6 pm to 10 pm, constantly. I would just switch him from my right breast to my left and back and forth and back and forth. But I promise, those weeks will pass and one day you will realize that it has been a couple of hours since the baby fed, and it keeps going like that. My son is now 6 months old, still pretty much 100% BF, and Ilove it. It is sooo easy now and has been for quite a while. I am sooo glad I stuck with it, and just gritted my teeth through the times when I wanted to quit.

Also, you have just had your baby, so you are going through a major hormonal fallout, so keep that in mind as to how you are feeling down. I spent my first week crying every time I thought about being pregnant and my birth. But after about a week or so, I started to feel much better.

 

[Mervs Mum]

Honey, I will be totally honest. For me, and a lot of women I know, the first 6 weeks are really freaking hard. The baby eats all the time, you are tired, you are unsure, it is just plain hard. There were times when my son would cluster feed from 6 pm to 10 pm, constantly. I would just switch him from my right breast to my left and back and forth and back and forth. But I promise, those weeks will pass and one day you will realize that it has been a couple of hours since the baby fed, and it keeps going like that. My son is now 6 months old, still pretty much 100% BF, and Ilove it. It is sooo easy now and has been for quite a while. I am sooo glad I stuck with it, and just gritted my teeth through the times when I wanted to quit.

Also, you have just had your baby, so you are going through a major hormonal fallout, so keep that in mind as to how you are feeling down. I spent my first week crying every time I thought about being pregnant and my birth. But after about a week or so, I started to feel much better.

Well said!!!! This post sums my experience up perfectly.

I originally said I would feed till Christmas and I now feel like I'm just getting into my stride and I could feed for aaaaaages yet!!!

Hebe has had a poorly day today so I've cuddled and nursed her all day and I was just thinking what a complete pain in the arse sorting bottles would be for me now!! I've not moved from my recliner except to get more tea or have a wee!!

 

[Lucy&Pard]

Oh and good luck hun. BFing at first is a LOT of hard work, but it pays off in the end and gets easier and easier.

I couldnt agree more...good luck let us know how you get on!

 

[Novbaby08]

well as is, I'm still switching back and forth with formula and breastmilk, I don't think I'm making enough yet. I'm still hoping to eventually only be on breastmilk eventually, I'm worried it won't work out though

 

[Mervs Mum]

Half the battle is believing in yourself. If you think it wont work out you're setting yourself up for it not to. Keep on going honey - you're almost thru that first killer week.

 

[marley2580]

Hun, to be honest if you keep giving formula you're never going to have enough milk. Your breasts need the stimulation to bring in the milk. Why do you think that you don't have enough? Is it because the baby always seems hungry? If so that's totally normal and doesn't mean that you don't have enough milk.

 

[Foxxy]

Hun, to be honest if you keep giving formula you're never going to have enough milk. Your breasts need the stimulation to bring in the milk. Why do you think that you don't have enough? Is it because the baby always seems hungry? If so that's totally normal and doesn't mean that you don't have enough milk.

Well said and perfectly right! Just exclude formula, give only breast and after some period you will see the difference. The more she's on your breast the more milk you will have! And don't forget to check that she latch properly, cause it's also very important!