NB Feeding - a few questions

[babymunkey]

Hi all

Feels very wierd to be back on these boards after a few years on the TTC/Pregnancy boards etc

Any quick question - DD is 2 days old - feeding is going really well, and I think my milk is on its way. My question is that if I let her she would feed constantly - every time she feeds although she dozes off, she never lets go of a good latch, and if I wake her, she carries on feeding well, or if I try to take her off she comes round and hangs on for dear life and starts feeding again!

I'm pretty sure she's feeding properly - good lacth, swallowing noises etc. Would you let her keep feeding til she drops off, or should I stop her and then let her feed again as soon as she asks for it - tonight is a good example - 30 mins on RB, 5 min break then back for 30 min on LB!

[babymunkey]

Ps also should we wind her - assuming she's stil mostly getting Colostrum?

[Khalam's Mama]

I would keep waking her unil she she feeds and then she should drop off sooner. If you get than rippling sensation and she is just comfort sucking I would take her off to avoid sore nipples. The sucking will help bring the milk in though so don't limit it if she is swallowing.

[Erin M]

I would burp her too as she could still be swallowing air. 

How are your nipples holding up?  I think some babies could just suck all day long - might want to cut her short for the sore nipple reason -- and make sure you use your finger to break the latch

[babymunkey]

Thanks girls! The problem is keeping her awake on the boob - NOTHING I've tried works! She'll suck really really well and swallow for maybe 5 mins then she zonks. I've tried all the tricks - even dripped water on her face last night then blew on it (felt so mean!)  - so we've resorted to working through a feed in 5 minute shifts, removing clothing and changing nappy etc in between.

But she's a little clam shell once shes' on - its sooo hard to break her latch even if she's dozed off - I have to really get my little finger in and crank her mouth open - I shouldn't complain I guess as it means she has a good latch

My milk has def come in overnight and things seem to have improved today - she's definitely more full after a shorter time so that will help too. Nipples are OK so far - we have the Lansinoh cream going, so fingers crossed we;ll get through this week relatively unscathed.....

[Tay]

Those first few days both with DD and DS I just let them feed anytime they wanted - which sometimes was every half an hour. This is important to help establish your supply.
So i wouldn't worry much. As the other girls have said, just make sure you unlatch when she's not feeding anymore, plenty of winding  (which can cause babies to want to comfort suck) and plenty of Lansinoh!
xxx

[Erin M]

Sounds like you're off to a fab start! 
Nursed all of mine in just their diapers the first few weeks.