No colostrum, pls help!!

[river_mommy]

She probably isn't staying awake on the breast because she isn't hungry enough. If you really want to breastfeed I think you need to consider stopping the formula altogether and giving every feed at the breast until you have established breastfeeding properly.

Provided she has no clinical signs of dehydration then all should be well. How is her fontanelle (soft spot)? - check it's not sunken in. Is she having some wet nappies? Is she yellow/jaundiced at all? Are there orange crystals in her nappy? A few orange crystals are normal but lots could indicate a problem - these are all things that can help you tell whether or not she is coping ok with what you are giving her. She will cry and 'act hungry' for sure, but if her clinical signs are ok then she should have enough reserves on board to cope until your milk comes in properly. Keep up the good work!! Also, tickle the palm of her hand to help keep her awake during feedings - it stimulates a wake reflex

Sometimes her lips get dry-so I think she gets dehydrated at times, fontanelle ok, she seems to pee ok (3-4 wet diapers/day), no orange crystals on diapers.
The way she sucks at the breast seems more like confort sucking rather than feeding, she doesn't swallow consistantly, random suckings, not like the way is described on official websites/books. I DON"T get enough milk for her and it's drives me crazy.
I am taking Fenugreek and I feel it's useless...

What else can I take/do to increase my milk supply?

 

[minties]

The very best way is to have her suckle often. I haven't found any foods that help me.

Falling asleep on the breast is common not only because of the comfort factor, but breastmilk has oxytocin in it which sends baby off to sleep.

 

[flubdub]

At this age, I wouldnt expect the baby to have "defined" feeds, then a nap etc - they all merge into one! My lo is on my breast 90% of the day.
I would stop the formula, or your breasts just are not getting the signal to make enough milk - its a vicious cycle.
Also, when she is asleep, she may be comfort/flutter sucking which also stimulates the breasts, even if she isnt drawing milk out at that time.

 

[Blob]

I was going to say about the comfort sucking? I always used to think that my LOs would feed for hours but really they would get all the milk nicely and then just 'flutter' just I didnt know what it was or what it felt like

 

[kaylz]

It sounds like your baby is healthy and doing well. Don't give up! It won't always be like this. My little one was exactly the same at first on the boob all the time but now he only feeds 4-5 times per day for 10 minutes each time and that's him done. Once you get over the horendously difficult first few weeks, breastfeeding becomes much easier for most people and you'll feel so good knowing you've given your baby the best start possible