EASY for a sleepy, hungry newborn.

[piggypops]

Hello
My son is 3 weeks old and was 10lbs at birth weight (!)...We had a difficult 2 weeks at the beginning as he inhaled some water from the birthing pool and had to be on IV antibiotics for 4 days.  I think the drugs really affected his tummy as he became very colicky immediately.  I am EBF and all is going well except this past week, I've had to feed him almost every hour to hour and a half.
I am trying to ease him into the routine but because of the constant feeding interspersed with constant sleeping.  Am I expecting too much of my 3 week old to start the EASY routine ?
This is the first time I've tried to implement the routine as I felt I left it a bit too late with my 4 year old when she was 1 year old.
Thanks
Charlotte x

[Ima shel Alon]

Hi Charlotte,
I think your LO went through so much! I think your concerns are more about BF so I am going to move your post to the BF board and have some ladies there help you.

[willowsmummy]

Hi there

Your right, i wouldnt expect too much at this age. I also ebf and started about 8 weeks, but always tried to keep the E.A.S order (even if just a nappy change after a feed)

It could be your lo is going through a gs, there are lots whilst they are so small, but necessary for building your supply   below is a useful link with regards to gs.

"Is this a Growth Spurt?  How can I meet my Baby's needs?"

Congratulations on your new arrival xx

[piggypops]

thank you ! x

[Fiver]

Congratulations
Well done for getting through those first 2 crazy weeks.  You say this week he's been feeding frequently - what was happening before then to give us an idea of what might be going on?

But also agreed with willowsmum - he's still tiny and there's a lot going on with supply being established.

[piggypops]

hi
he was feeding regularly every 2 hours but my let-down is very fast. I'm lucky to have ample supply (did with my daughter too) but he splutters and chokes quite a bit. I'm worried that the flow is too much and that is what is causing all the discomfort. I feel like I'm drowning him and was half tempted to try formula just to ease him.

[Fiver]

Hang in there - if you've got a strong letdown you can always hand express until you trigger the letdown reflex and catch it into a cloth or something and then latch LO on so the flow isn't so fierce.  You can do this

[marie28uk]

As a breast feeding peer supporter and feeding 2 of my own demand feeding is best for baby and your milk supply.  I agree to express untill your letdown has slowed enough for your LO to feed comfortably.  It could be a growth spurt which makes them feed more regular last approx 24hrs.  Have you tried infacol before each feed to help with the colic it is gentle on the tummy.  Also look at what you are eating/drinking i couldn't drink orange juice at all as it gave both of my 2 colic.  Well done for breast feeding your doing fab

[Erin M]

Have you seen this: Breastfeeding and EASY in the first few weeks  -- it talks about feeding "on cue" and how to recognize when your baby is hungry, sleepy, etc.  The first few weeks are so important to establishing supply and getting a good breastfeeding relationship going.  If you think the antibiotics messed with his tummy, you might try some probiotics to set it straight.  I would ask your doctor/health care professional, but there are varieties out there that are ok for infants. 

[willowsmummy]

I wouldnt think its colic but i also had a hard/fast letdown and i hand expressed until my flow slowed a bit and this helped huge amounts. I would defo give it a go

Well done for getting this far and seeking help!! Your doing an amazing thing for your LO xx