help with newborn please.

[*Becky*]

Our little girl Martha was born last Wed by elective c-section. I am struggling with feeding her and it seems to get worse each day.
She seems to feed every 1-2 hours. I put her on one side and she will feed for about 20mins-30 mins, come off and then either briefly close her eyes before asking for more food or just be unsettled and root about.
My breasts are getting very sore now even though I think her latch is good most of the time. I have milk I think but I have not experienced any let down.
Last night she wanted to feed constantly but did not really sleep after and I was constantly feeding her between 4-6.30am this morning. I just kept switching sides as she kept wanting more food.
Don't know where to start really - this happened with DS and we ended up on formula as my breasts were so sore and cut and he had lost lots of weight. She seems more chilled out and does at least sleep a bit after feeds so I would like to persevere if I can but I just think she seems hungry most of the time.
Help!
thanks
Becky

[shivi]

Hi Becky!

I am trying to get into a course for lactation consultancy so have been at workshops recently to skill-up a bit....and just on Friday, I was at a course where they recommended a kind of massage, esp in early days. Its called reverse pressure softening....

the idea is that your milk ducts at the areola are blocked and can't empty during the first few days when your breasts are so full of fluid and blood etc and the milk further up can't get out. Pumping alone may not be enough to empty and the pain from engorgement gets worse....baby more frustrated and mum more wraught....

Anyway here's a link - the idea is to push with both index fingers (sides of fingers, lengthways) in and away from the nipple to clear all the excess fluid so that a better letdown can happen....

http://www.babyzone.com/baby/feeding_nutrition/breastfeeding/article/soothe-breastfeeding-soreness-pg2

 and here's another even better link -
 http://www.llli.org/faq/engorgement.html

HTH and congrats again x

[C&B&E]

Hugs Becky,

I know it's not much help to you *now* - but if you are struggling is there a breastfeeding group that you know of nearby?  My sanity was saved by going along and actually having someone sit with me for 20 minutes and help me get my latch right, check for tongue tie (which Ben ended up having), and generally reassure me and give me advice.

xxx

[Vicku]

Hi

Yeah, that reverse softening is really good! Did that at the beginning with Sienna. It is called the cottermans hand grip here. Really helps them latch on if breasts are engorged And yes, it is always worth getting as much help with latch and positioning in the early days as you can, and IRL support too. BF groups are great for all of those.

Also if your nipples are sore, get some Lansinoh cream from Boots. It helps them heal between feeds and prevents cracking from occurring. It's taken me a while each time starting to BF for my nipples to stop hurting (and they hurt A LOT there for a few days!) even though latch was acceptable. My skin is quite sensitive and I got sucking blisters and sores, but that did go away after about 2 weeks. They go through a lot of growth spurts in the early days and weeks so feeding will be quite irregular and sometimes (esp in a GS) you will feel as if you're feeding non stop, and that can be tough. the GSs become less and less frequent though and feeds will space out and even get shorter usually. It's the first few weeks and couple of months that are the most challenging. Another thing to remember is that their tummies are sooo tiny to start with and as breast milk is such a perfect food it is super digestible and they need to refill quite often until their tummies get bigger. then feeds usually stretch out on their own
How is her weight doing?

[squeakersmum]

Becky, how's it going?

I had a hard time establishing BF (I also did with DS). On day 4 my MW told me that DD was getting dehydrated and I had to give her a little water and a little formula. I expressed by hand until I was able to get hold of a pump from the hospital so that she was predominantly having breast milk. It got my milk in and meant I didn't have to go back in to the hosp for her to be monitored there. My nipples were very very sore and, it did take a while for that to go away.

You could try nipple shields if you just can't stand to have her latch on (that has the added bonus of being able to see the milk they're drinking - it put my mind at rest that she was actually getting some!). I used a shield on my right breast for about 2 weeks in the end but weaned off it really easily.

I thought it was the end but she's actually pretty good at it now!

She is still a titch and not gaining weight fast - but she is gaining and is still on her line so no one is concerned any more.

Also, it may be worth getting someone else to have a look at her while you are feeding. Abi was sticking her Tongue into the roof of her mouth so although she was sucking, she was basically only sucking her own Tongue!!

Lots of (((hugs)))

[*Becky*]

she was weighed today and has lost 12% which I know is not good although midwife seems to think she is fine. Last night was horrendous. Was completely unsettled from 10.30pm until about 3.30am. Tried feeding, not feeding, dummy, you name it. Exhausted but according to the midwife it is normal....of course now she is fast asleep just like yesterday... uggh.

[squeakersmum]

I think Abi lost 11% - it was definitely more than 10. With Abi it had got to the point that she was so upset that she just couldn't latch on at all and would fuss and fuss popping on and off.

Like I said I expressed and fed from a bottle for a couple of days to get over the 'hump'.

More (((hugs))) and vibes for a better night.

Has your milk come in yet?

[*Becky*]

I don't know for sure if my milk is in tbh but I 'think' it is. I have no let down but my breasts are heavier than normal and they do ache/hurt if she does not feed for a while.
We seem to have periods of time where she is really unsettled and just wants to feed all the time but it does not feel right to me as she is not getting satisfied and seems to just fart lots!
So this am she fed from 6-7am, then DH put her in the sling and she fussed/cried for 40 mins so I fed again and then she was in her moses but did not settle so now it is 9.30am and we are feeding again!
I am at a loss as to what the real issue is....

[weaver]

Becky,
I had a real problem with my LO 'nibbling', appearing to feed for ages but not really. He also lost weight. I found looking at these videos really helped us, maybe they'll help you.
http://www.drjacknewman.com/video-clips.asp

Midwife at the time recommended compression feeding which worked a treat.  There's a video on there for that as well.  I knew he was getting milk and, most importantly, so did he!  Everything settled down.

Hang on in there.  Hope it comes right for you.

(Your baby has the most beautiful name by the way, I was daydreaming about a possible LO2 the other day and came up with exactly the same one

[*Becky*]

(Your baby has the most beautiful name by the way, I was daydreaming about a possible LO2 the other day and came up with exactly the same one

thank you

oh dear - things just not getting any better. Nights are awful and she just fusses constantly unless she is on me and generally on the breast. It has taken me ages this am to get her down for a nap....I am already worrying about reflux. I guess I will see what the midwife says today about weight gain.

[squeakersmum]

Good luck with the mw today. Could it be that she's trying to increase your supply? I understand that it can take longer to come in fully after a c-section, but not sure.

If you have a moment pop over to the 0-3 month thread. There are several of the mums over there dealing with reflux at least one was showing signs at 3 days - they could let you know how Martha's sleeping/eating habits compare to their experiences.

More (((hugs))) hon!

[Fiver]

When she's feeding, are you seeing some good spells of sucking/swallowing?  Just because you aren't necessarily feeling the letdown doesn't mean it's not happening.  The suck suck swallow pattern is a better indicator of whether milk is being transferred.

The one thing I'd wondered about (yes, I know I see it everywhere LOL!) is whether she might have a tongue tie.  If, as you say, she seems to be feeding for ages, then dropping off/falling asleep and then waking soon after wanting more food, it could be that she's not able to get at the milk very well.  Also the fact you've said your nipples were really sore (and also sore with DS) makes me wonder.  How are they feeling now?  It might be worth asking the midwife/breastfeeding advisor to have a feel and see what they say.  If they just look and say they can't see anything, get a second opinion.  You can't necessarily spot a tongue tie by just looking.