So frustrated!

[JennyLynn512]

I am entirely frustrated with breastfeeding and I'm about to have a break-down. Valerie went to the doctor on Wednesday and had gained an ounce..things were looking up. We took her to the doctor today and she had lost almost two ounces; the scale was going back and forth. Frustrating. I'm worried about the weight gain, but the doctor doesn't seem to be worried at all and says that it's normal for her weight to be fluctuating (even though she's lost almost 12 ounces from birth). He had us schedule a visit for Monday to continue to check her weight. I'm worried about her weight, that is the first frustrating thing.

The next frustrating thing is this breastfeeding. We are not supplementing with forumla because the doctor doesn't seem to think it's necessary since I've got my milk in and her poops and pees are normal right now. But I get her latched onto my breast and she goes about 5-10 minutes on the left side, then falls asleep. I burp her, then switch her to the right and she goes about 5 minutes and then falls asleep. I burp her and she's sleeping. About 10minutes later, she wakes up and is "rooting" or looking for my nipple and throwing a fit. How is this possible and what is going on? Am I doing something wrong?

I'm about to break down because I feel like she feeds really well, but then from the weight problem to her always wanting it; I don't really know anymore if I am. Advice, please.

 

[luckyme225]

The first two week or so of breastfeeding Connor only ate for 10 minutes at a time then would fall asleep and would'nt eat from the other side. He would normally feed every 1-3 hours. I didn't start feeding from both breasts at a feeding until this week and he now feeds for about 20 minutes at a time. The first week I was worried about him not getting enough at the breast so I would pump and then give him a bottle once a day to make sure he was getting enough. He's a little chunker now, I guess he was just content feeding only a little bit at a time more frequently for awhile. It gets better as time passes

As for the weight I read on a website that it can take babies 10 days to 2 weeks to gain back birth weight so maybe thats why your doctor isn't concerned quite yet. Here's a link to the website.

https://www.breastfeed-essentials.com/enoughmilk.html

 

[BurtonBaby]

Keep with it hun. It can be really hard in the beginning, but it gets easier. Erica did that at first too, and it drove me crazy, but try playing with her ear lobe or blowing lightly on her face to try to keep her awake. Also changing position. Valerie was a good weight at birth, so it will take time to get back to that weight. At Erica's last appointment, at 2 weeks 5 days, she was still 2 ounces below her birth weight. If the doctor isnt worried, I'd try not to be. And try to avoid supplementing with formula as much as possible. We did it since she had low blood sugar and we still have to! I hate it, and am still trying to get my supply up enough to exclusively breast feed her.

Good luck and it will get easier. Some days will be hard again, but she will get the hang of it. And after a couple weeks they are a lot more awake.

 

[kookie]

As the girls said the first few weeks are hard but it does get easier hang in there your doing great just feed her on demand and it will sort itself out plenty of wet and dirty nappies is a great sign she's getting what she needs.

 

[freckleonear]

I went through the same thing with Aaron. You're doing a great job, keep going!

Newborns are not very good at getting the milk out efficiently. Therefore they will need to spend a lot longer feeding than an older baby. The problem is, they get tired and fall asleep part-way through.

As people have said, things like tickling their feet, stroking their cheek and waving their hand may help to keep them awake and feeding for longer.

However, most likely she will still fall asleep and have a quick nap before she is finished. Just let her feed again when she wakes up, as often as she wants. I know it can feel like you are spending your entire time feeding, but this is what your baby needs at the moment and it won't last for long. In a few weeks time she will be able to feed much quicker, without sleeping in the middle!

Remember, just because she falls asleep doesn't mean she has finished, so there is no need to panic when she wants more!

 

[JennyLynn512]

Thanks so much ladies..I'm going to try some of the advice you gave and also calm down and just let things work themselves out. I know they will....just a real frustrating time right now.

 

[lulu0504]

I had a similar problem to you. Lilia was 8lb 40z at birth but had dropped to 7lb 10oz by day 6 and stayed the same until she was 4 weeks old. All the docs and HV's could advise was to BF every 2hrs and to try everything to keep her awake to ensure she got a proper feed everytime. They didn't think it neccessary to supplement with formula despite them saying that she looked 'emaciated and gaunt' but i just knew that it wasnt good for her and that she wasn't herself so decided to make the switch to formula and i don't regret a thing! She went from being 7lb 10 on the fri to 8lb 7oz by mon so nearly a pound gained in a weekend!! She now takes 5oz every feed. We were both so stressed out and i was so frustrated with feeding every 2hrs that i know this is best for both of us.

Good Luck, trust your instinct and do whats best for you both. remember, its your baby and you know her better than any doctor or health visitor. I'm sure whatever you do will be the right decision for you and you will have a little chunky baby on your hands before you know it!

 

[Samantha675]

Just wanted to say hang in there Jenny!!!

 

[JennyLynn512]

Just wanted to say hang in there Jenny!!!

Thank you!!!

 

[mickey]

yes, you can do it!

I also found it difficult in the beginning although LO was latching on perfectly!

I had problems with my let down, which is very quick and sometimes LO found it not funny at all to have Niagara Falls in her mouth!

good luck

 

[Mango]

Hi Jenny, a lot of babies fall asleep at the breast because it is sooooo comforting to them. Here are some things you could try to keep your lil one awake while feeding:

-Remove extra clothing such as pants/socks
-Change baby's diaper before each feeding
-Try to keep baby more upright as oppose to laying down while feeding
-Stroke the palm of baby's hands or sole of their feet, gently tickling
-Sing or talk to baby while feeding
-Turn on lights i.e. at night

Hope something helps hun, it can be frustrating but you are doing well. Keep going and don't give up ok