Please remind me a few things - day 1 feeding.

[*Liz*]

Sorry looks like I didn't remember as much as I hoped - plus J was a failed latch, pump and feed guy in the early days.

Currently feeding on demand - but that did lead to a 5 hr gap overnight - is that OK? I had to wake J every 3 hrs and know it is kind of pointless unless really needed as they are a bugger to wake really. I will wake during the day though. Is this right?

Also should I double or single side feed at this point?

Sorry for being so dumb so early in the day. Mum with toddler as well is very
low priority for help on mat ward!! 

[shivi]

Hi Liz!

I fed every three hours daytime or 2 if they wanted it and then tried the cluster feeding in the evening. Oz never took to it so had always a DF and two night feeds so early days with him looked like - 7,10,1,4,7,11,2,5am and back to morning...

Emma was easier in the sleep dept but harder in terms of bf overall (OAL, TT and OS early days) but she did something more like this -
7,10,1,4,6,8,11,3am and only during early GSs did two night feeds.

Oz single side fed till the 4 mth GS, Emma fed double sided from very early on. She was a bigger baby and took in more I think or maybe my boobs just remembered double sided better. Either is fine as far as I know as long as the first side is almost empty before you switch and you start from the side you finished on if you are double feeding.

And yes, I remember it well - docs, nurses, LCs not giving a hoot about me as I had bf Oz without a hitch for 16 mths....xxx

I think consider yourself lucky with the 5 hour gap + I had it with Emma from the beginning. Megan is much bigger than Jacob was and going fromm 10pm DF to 3am night feed isnt unheard of I would say, just aim for 8 feeds minimum over 24 hours. Hope she is a little angel sleeper and feeder for you xxx

S x

[Vicku]

Hugs Liz!

I was given really good info here in Sweden about first day of feeding, compared to NONE AT ALL in UK
Anyway, here they say that the first 24ish hrs the babe might not feed that much apart from the first few hrs after the birth itself. Then they may sleep for a long or a few long stretches, tired from the birth and can feel a bit nauseous from ingesting amniotic fluid. Just feed whenever they are interested but it's ok if they sleep some longer stretches as they have reserves. (unless there's a medical problem or other reason why they need extra food)
Then the second day is more intense in terms of feeding and many infants wants to suckle all the time pretty much. Feed as much as they want to get milk production going.
3rd-5th day: If baby is satisfied with one breast single side feed. Feed on demand especially in the beginning to establish the milk supply (most important during 6 first weeks). Most newborns will feed with 1-3 hr intervals, usually about 10x in 24. So if she's feeding enough in the day one longer stretch at night should be ok.
HTH

[Tay]

Congrats on the baby!!!
5 hours at night is absolutely brilliant, especially because you can work from that to teach him the difference between day and night. But I'm guessing the next couple of days won't be like that...
Do wake him up during the day for feeds if he's going longer than 4 hours otherwise I wouldn't worry too much - he too needs to rest from the birth.

About the one side versus two sides: with both mine I fed both sides the first few days to get the supply well established, I think about day 5 I started feeding just from one side.
Enjoy your baby!
xxxx

[*Liz*]

Thank-you ladies 

She has fed a lot more during the day today - with some marathon feeding sessions - I assume she is pretty keen on some real milk coming in now  .

She is a totally totally different feeder from Jacob - but that is not a bad thing  .

Oh and don't worry - I won't be expected too much from the nights of my ebf baby  - I have already had a LO who feeds 2hrly until 6 mths and then took until 11.5mths to drop the last night feed. Flippin reflux  .

Enjoy your baby!

Gosh isn't that true? Looking at her now and knowing how quickly it will all change.

[L76]

Hi Liz

I fed DD single sided but with DS now 5 days I have been doing both sides. Mainly to relieve myself when the milk arrived but he is also never quite satisfied. The only thing I find difficult at this stage is the breast not feeling that empty and them falling asleep on it so not sure if they've finished or not. Just trying to judge it!

Currently feeding DS after an unsettled night since 7pm so far. We've been trying to do 3hr routine but whilst he seems to go with anything up to 4hrs in the day, long feeds are throwing us out a bit. I would say just go with whatever times this week as long as he is happy and well fed.

We also got a 5 hr stretch last night. Make the most of it when you do. You will need the sleep believe me!

I know what u mean about 2nd time mums! No real help given to me either. And like you, mummy mush brain seems to have worked it's magic on me and I've forgotten everything either! You get so wrapped up in 'toddler world', newborn seems alien!!!!

Good luck x

[Yazzie]

PPs said it all, so no real advice, just saw your post & wanted to wish loads of luck

(((((((((HUGS)))))))))

[~ Vik ~]

Nothing extra to add except loads more (((hugs)))

[*Liz*]

My god now I can't get her off me at all?

Feed feed feed- one 4 hr stretch last night. Getting very sore but I think that is just that she sucks so hard rather than a bad latch.

But OUCH.

[clazzat]

(((hugs)))  It does hurt to start with.  It will calm down!

[L76]

ooooooh, feeling your pain!

have you got some Lansinoh cream with you?

x

[LucySol]

ooh i remember that..ouch!! i too was going to ask if you have Lansinoh,it was my life saver!!!

[Shiv52]

i too was going to ask if you have Lansinoh,it was my life saver!!!

Same here!

Congrats Liz!!   Sounds like she's doing great with the bfing!!

[scucci1979]

I remember those days. Lansinoh cream was a saviour for me.

[*Liz*]

Yeah I've found my lanolin and my milk is starting up now so I'm hoping this will calm soon 

Missed all of this with J (and replaced it with a different BFing mess). It never is easy is it?