2 day old feeding - the milkman has arrived!

[L76]

Hi

my DS (can't quite get used to that instead of DD!) was born on Tuesday and I am bf him. Well trying to!

Fed him immediately after he was born and then on and off over the following few hours. He was very unsettled and when exhaustion set in (I'd been in labour all night and it was 6am!) I gave him a few slurps of formula and he was fast asleep!

Anyway back home I have been bf but whilst I can definitely feel the milk has arrived, he does not seem to be relieving me so to speak!

My memory fails me from DD. Is this normal at this early stage? He rarely wakes and struggle to get him to take what I would consider a good feed. Then he is screaming an hour or so later. Really don't want to fall into the snacking trap but not sure where to go from here.

Any advice welcome!

We were up with him from 1am til 4am trying to feed and settle and only did so in the end with an oz or so of formula. He was then unsettled til I bf again at 6 and more at 8am. He then slept til I woke (or tried to wake) him at 11am. Didn't take a good feed and had to re feed at 12pm. Eventually he went back to sleep after fussing til 1pm ish.

Thanks

x

[AngelaF]

Congrats on your new baby!  I remember feeling engorged a lot of the time for those first few weeks. I'd say feed him as often as he'd like...really at this young you're not going to make him be a snacker. This is the time when your body is learning how much milk to drink and really, you want him to drink as often as he wants. Good luck! Those first few weeks are tough, but it'll level out soon!

[Tay]

Completely agree with pp. It's very early on for you to start worrying about your LO becoming a snacker. What you can do is try to maximize each feed - by keeping him awake, rubbing his feet etc. But as far as I remember from both DD and DS the first few days were non stop feeding marathon, and DS I remember better, spent the first 3 days CONSTANTLY feeding (some people told me it was because he's a boy... ).
Just remember that their stomachs are tiny at this stage and it's very hard work to feed, they get tired, as time goes on it should start to improve.
xxxx

[Roseii]

So sorry no advice better than PPs just wanted to say huge congrats on you new arrival Hope you found a good gift for DD from him

xxx

[L76]

Thanks for all your advice.

Can anyone remember if when they fed the feeling of engorgement let up at all?

He took a great feed at 3pm slept for an hour and a half or so, then I fed again at 6pm and he was really sleepy and didn't take much at all (or I didn't feel like he did). Ended up crying for ages (had to deal with DD screaming at bed and bath time) so fed again at 7.30 and still crying now - fell asleep after a good feed but just not sure what to do now!!!!!

x

[Elenas Mummy]

Cut you and him some slack   He's been through a massive ordeal just being born and some babies need more recovery time than others.  He wont starve himself and will feed when hungry.  Two of my babies only fed every four hours for the first fortnight - lulling me into a false sense of security lol!  They then became proper boob monsters!

I'd recommend holding off on the formula if you really want to give breastfeeding the best start as early formula introduction can really screw with supply - the first six weeks (at least) should be nothing but boob to give your nursing relationship the best chance!

Also, remember it can be totally normal for a breast fed baby to feed as often as every 1.5hrs in those early weeks and evening "cluster" feedings are also really common place in those early weeks-  however draining they may be, these are actually fantastic for your prolactin (the hormone responsible for sustaining milk production) levels

Are you feeling a letdown and seeing/hearing him swallow?  Are you getting lots of wet nappies?  Is he opening his bowels?  If all those boxes are ticked then he's getting enough and that engorgement will pass with time.  Just watch out for plugged ducts.
 
Congrats on your little guy and loads of love to you all

[shivi]

Hi Leanne and congrats again on Rhys' birth xxx

I am one of those weirdos who DID do EASY from birth with both exclusively BFs babes and was also madly engorged by the 2.5 to 3 hr mark for the first 6 or so weeks.....after the 6-7 wk spurt things got more settled but mornings were always the worst. I suffered from oversupply and overactive letdown and could just hold a sterile cup under left breast while feeding from the right and collect off even up to 3oz in the first 6 weeks with Emma at the early morning feed. In saying that, evenings were a mess with both of mine, particularly Emma (I think it was due to my exhaustion at the end of the day) and I would bf her at bedtime at 7 and top her off with whatever I had "collected" rather than pumped at the early morning feed - otherwise she just would NOT settle - so the DF was from the breast....

Emma was an angel baby early on  - I DF her from the breast at 11pm (DH would bring her to me, I would feed, he'd change and re-swaddle) and then she only ever needed a 3am feed.....so I presume thats why I was more engorged with her than with Oz as he did a 2am and 5am feed for the first 7-8 weeks....as well as DF from the bottle.

Oz was the sleepier one though and yes - I had to do EVERYTHING possible to get him to stay awake - stripping, nappy change, tickling his feet, walking my fingers up his spine....oh yes, and cleaning his umbilical stump -always worked a treat here!!!

Emma needed the opposite - peace and quiet - for a decent feed since 3 mths ish to date....UGH! And it was easier to come by peace and quiet with NO1 than with NO2!!!!


Hope things settle down into a pattern for you soon - and in the meantime, please be sure that you have no hot patches or temp yourself nor any specific area of pain as engorgement can lead to other issues (blocked ducts etc) in some cases  - had this many times with Emma. I am like you - I needed a plan and a routine even with No2....so I can see why you are asking all these questions!

Siobhain xxx

[L76]

Hi

He may well be a baby that can go a bit longer - seems ok to in the night too - just wont resettle once fed!

I am just concerned that if the fullness is not being relieved at all, then maybe he's not feeding well and therefore, why he's also unsettled after.

The pain I am feeling in them right now is really sore, full, lumpy and throbbing. There are no major hot patches and don't think I have a temperature. Had a nap at lunchtime and had to lay on my back and hold my bra it was so painful!!!!

He's fed off them three times in the last couple of hours, so whilst I expected them to feel sore for a couple of days, I thought they'd feel a bit better after feeding so much. He has only be bf today and nappies are not that wet at all. One poo very early this morning but nothing since.

I had this pain when the milk came in last time round but maybe either I've forgotten or it is really not being relived!

Ok, now as I sit and type DH is trying to settle DS and he's just relieved his bottom very loudly! Hopefully that may help him settle right now but it's more the feeding that I am worried about. I know he won't starve but I'd just like to make sure he gets well established!

Siobhain, you are right, we are very alike and like to know what's happening! I don't expect a routine or miracles just yet but it is good to hear some advice when you need it from fellow BWs!!!!

DH is home tomorrow and so is DD (we've had two days of her at nursery) so will see what tonight and tomorrow brings for us! I think I am probably a little over emotional today too - my DD apparently said to DH on the way to nursery this morning 'I miss my Mummy'....I was in floods of tears after he told me! Bless her. Just want to give her a big cuddle but can't get her close enough to me without the pain of the boobs!!!!!!

Thanks again for everyones advice....it really helps and can be a godsend in the middle of the night!

x

[L76]

So sorry no advice better than PPs just wanted to say huge congrats on you new arrival Hope you found a good gift for DD from him

xxx

Hi Charli

Meant to reply on this in my post... thanks for your congrats.

Yes, I did get her a big sister t-shirt that she proudly wore to visit us and also to nursery the next day - which came home covered in blue paint!

Plus a nappy changing bag and some bottles for her baby.

She was spoilt by her grandparents too so very happy!!!

x

[AngelaF]

I remember feeling really full a lot and a few times developed some lumps that I was able to relieve with pumping. If it gets really bad, could you pump for relief?

[Elenas Mummy]

If nappies really aren't that wet, is there any chance of getting some IRL support for checking his latch?  Contact La Leche League if you can't find anyone clued up at your local health authority.  LLL are often able to help you themselves but if they aren't, they'll be able to put you in touch with some IRL help.  He should have the nipple far in his mouth with very little (if any) areola visible.  If you can imagine your own mouth, that soft bit behind the hard palate is the soft palate - that's where your nipple should be in his mouth.  On approaching the breast, his nose should be directly opposite your nipple and when latched, his lower lip should be curled down with no areola visible beneath his lower lip.  His chin should be tucked into your breast.  Sometimes playing around with positions can help you achieve a better latch.  When he comes off, does your nipple still look nice and round as it did before the feed?  If the nipple looks "pinched" this is an indication of a poor latch.

Take a look at this as it may help:

http://www.nbci.ca/index.php?option=com_content&view=category&layout=blog&id=6&Itemid=13

Where abouts in the UK are you?  The NCT may also be able to help and it's likely that you'll have a local breastfeeding support group - your midwife/health visitor will be able to advise on this.  IRL support can be crucial.

Pumping may be a good idea.  It's not usually advised in the early weeks as it can create an over supply, but if you are concerned that he's not getting enough, pumping will protect your supply some and also offer you some relief.

Hugs honey!  Keep us posted.

[L76]

I've just had to express some as the pain lying down in bed was unbearable despite another feed! And hardly any came out (less than an oz in total) after about 5 mins max (prob less) on both sides. They still feel like bowling balls too. What does that mean? Are the ducts blocked? Is this why he may not be feeding well?

X

[Elenas Mummy]

Sometimes women just can't pump.  It's to do with the bio-chemistry.  At best, a pump can only take off what's already in the breast but sometimes it won't even do that.  There are things that you can do to optimise your chances of pumping more efficiently but unfortunately nothing is guaranteed.

Try visualising your baby nursing while you get the pump ready.  Get your head filled with all those gushy emotions you feel for your little one.  "paw" at your breast - i.e. pad it around some with your finger tips to "loosen" things up.  Attach the pump and close your eyes and visualise your baby.  Breast compressions whilst pumping can also be beneficial.  If you were blocked to the extent that you were unable to nurse, you'd be very red and in absolute agony so that's doubtful.

Have you tried hand expressing?  Some women subconsciously shut down with a pump and therefore have much better luck with hand expressing.  (http://www.realbabymilk.org/breastfeeding-information/31-hand-expressing)

Remember that pumping is NEVER a good indication as to how much you are producing.  I've known people with over supply issues that have never been able to pump a drop!  Hugs honey - I hope this sorts out for you very soon x

[Elenas Mummy]

Forgot to add that sometimes babies have trouble getting a good latch when the breast is particularly full so hand expressing would definitely be a good idea to try and aid with efficient latch

[Shiv52]

Forgot to add that sometimes babies have trouble getting a good latch when the breast is particularly full so hand expressing would definitely be a good idea to try and aid with efficient latch

Was going to suggest this.  My BF has just been through this.  The HV advised her to pump for a few minutes before each feed and she said it really helped both her comfort and her LOs ability to latch on more effectively.  She did it for three weeks from 1-4 weeks and her LO is now 6 weeks and is doing MUCH better. 

HTH xx