Kinda Struggling

[Babydance]

Hey ladies,

Im just looking for a bit of advice, ive been feeding my LO for 3 weeks now but sometimes she is latched on for about 3 hours other times she will feed for 30 mins and then want back on 10 mins later. She was really bad for falling asleep for the first week and she had to be fed by syringe which was so hard! Then her weight dropped alot and we had to give her a bit of formula. Is this normal feeding times?
Also when we go out anywhere i panic so much that i dread leaving the house as i just cant feed her infront of people, i dont know how to get my booby out discreetly!!
Also she hasnt pooped since Wednesday night and this is now Saturday night and im getting quite worried!
I havent been eating alot i keep forgetting could this be the reason atall?
Any advice would be great! xxx

 

[Samantha675]

Totally normal love. It takes a baby a good few weeks to get nursing figured out. It is a huge learning curve for the both of you. She maybe really hungry sometimes, and looking for a snack and comfort others. My son didn't have a feeding schedule for a long time, I just fed him on demans.

BM doesn't give a lot of waste, so a BF baby can go up to a week without a poo, and it is considered normal. You can try to massage her tummy and see if that helps her get things moving.

You have got to make sure you eat and drink plenty of water, it will make YOU feel much better.

Don't worry about feeding in public, it takes time, and is a learned thing. The first time I tried, I panicked and bolted for the car. So I ended up finding a quiet 'public' place to feed my son when out for the first time and I didn't feel so anxious or exposed. It really just takes practice and confidence.

 

[Mervs Mum]

Congrats and well done on making it this far hun!

In the early weeks feeding times can vary enormously. You are both still learning to BF and her technique will get better. You yourself dont always want a 3 course meal - sometimes a quick snack is enough so it's fine for times always to vary. She will have had a big growth spurt around 2 weeks too which throws their times and pattern out too.

Why dont you prcatice feeding under a cover or whatever while you are at home - you might feel better about it if you have worked out your tactics! I found it was more about WHERE I fed her in the early days than how.

BF babies can go anything up to 10 days without pooing and that's fine too - there is so little waste in BM.

Try to look after yourself hun

 

[Babydance]

Thanks ladies! Im worried about her poop she has had 2 formula top ups since Wednesday as she was on me so long i was completely empty and she was screaming for more so i reluctantly gave her 30ml which settled her and today she's been on me plenty but not enough to suck me dry lol which i was pleased about, but with those top ups should she not have pooped? oh and i thought being pregnant was stressful lol! Thanks ladies its nice to know someones there to chat to about all this! xx

 

[Samantha675]

Also remember that her little system is brand new as well, and just figuring itself out. She has never had to poop or eat or breath before, so it takes a little time to smooth things out. She will probably fill her diaper big time when you least expect it. I know my son would do this. I remember nights of sitting on the sofa for hours with Brenn and I would switch him from side to side every 45 minutes or so. The first six weeks are the hardest by far, and you are half way there and just doing fantastic!

 

[Gorgeouserin]

Don't worry thats the key and look after yourself I have been told to drink 1 and a half times more than normal. I find downing a couple of pints of water increases my supply and also a bath with baby and feeding in the bath really helps it makes her relax and you! I have been BF for 6 weeks and yes it has been tough but we are getting there. I also had to top up with syringed formula at the beginning. I find I have one boob that spurts and one that is quite slow. Erin likes the slow one last thing at night to relax.....strange but true!! Take care x x x

 

[mrsholmes]

Scott has only ever pooed 3-5 days since he was born he is 3 weeks and 4 days, I know feeding in public is hard, I bought a nursing bra from debahams which has a little bit of extra inner cup so u dont see the whole boob!

 

[Babydance]

Thanks for all your advice ladies its great to hear! I think i'll try the bra from debenhams! I hope i get a poop tonight.. i dont think i've ever been so excited about poo!! xx

 

[Mervs Mum]

When it comes.....STAND CLEAR!!!

 

[Samantha675]

And don't go to change her diaper immediatly. Give her a good 10 minutes or more to get it all out. I learned that lesson very quickly.

 

[Shifter]

One trick I learned for getting my boob out discretely was to put my hand down my top to unhook my nursing bra, then pull my hand out and go up from the bottom to pull the bra cup down and get my breast out, with my top hiding everything. Then get Jack into position before lifting my top up and latching him on. It takes a little practice, but soon enough you can do it with no one seeing any flesh at all!

And I second the idea of not changing the nappy right away. Jack is forever taking a break in the middle of his poos, I leave him a good 5-10 minutes before changing him, unless he starts to get uncomfortable, in which case I know he's got it all out in one and there's lots of it

 

[Babyshambelle]

And don't go to change her diaper immediatly. Give her a good 10 minutes or more to get it all out. I learned that lesson very quickly.

Same here! The first time I did it, I got poo all up my arm, on my top, on the changing mat, on the new nappy, all over the wipes packet, my bed sheet and duvet. It comes out with some force!! Now I leave her a good 10 minutes...more if im still getting those little 'smiles'

 

[Lu28]

We had one of those yesterday but the first lot came out with such force it shot out the top of her nappy and saturated her dress!

 

[k8y]

I always wear a white vest top under any t-shirt i wear. this way i put my hand down the neck of the tshirt, unook my bra and push the vest top down too, I then get him into position then just lift the bottom of my tshirt up to reveal just the nipple. the vest hides my belly and the tshirt hides the top of my chest and boobs, nobody can see anything at all. just looks like your cuddling your baby. hope this helps.

 

[Samantha675]

And don't go to change her diaper immediatly. Give her a good 10 minutes or more to get it all out. I learned that lesson very quickly.

Same here! The first time I did it, I got poo all up my arm, on my top, on the changing mat, on the new nappy, all over the wipes packet, my bed sheet and duvet. It comes out with some force!! Now I leave her a good 10 minutes...more if im still getting those little 'smiles'

My MW said to give him to 'process' haha.

 

[Babydance]

Thanks ladies huge help reg the feeding!!!

Also WE HAVE PPPOOOOOOPPPPPP!!!!! WOOHOO!! hehe xxx

 

[Mervs Mum]