help for a newborn

[sophiems]

I have a 4 day old baby who I'm trying to figure out how to get into this EASY thing.  It seems if I only nurse him on one side he's still hungry in an hour and a half or so.  Does this mean I should let him nurse then on the same side or should I give him both sides at each feed?  Also, since my milk just came in, I'm fairly engorged so it's hard to tell if he's actually emptying my breast.  Any help out there?

[marlowho]

Congrats on your new baby!!!  Hope you're getting some rest!
While you're engorged, you just want to nurse enough to get rid of the engorgement.  Also, look at some of the other tips to relieve engorgement (hot shower, knead the breast,etc...)  But it should go down soon anyway- the initial engorgement of your milk coming in is different than if you get engorged later on.
If your lo still seems hungry after one side, still offer the other side.  This encourages your supply which is what you want to do at this point.
Also, my personal opinion is to not be too worried about EASY at first.  They are so sleepy, there will hardly be any "A"- and the biggest thing is to set up your nursing "routine"- but that is also just a guide at this point.  If your lo seems hungry, go ahead and nurse b/c that will help establish your supply.
Hopefully you'll get some more suggestions.

[LindseysMom]

Hello, welcome and congrats on your new baby.   I was told to feed from both sides and I always have, even now.  I would let him stay on one side for as long as he will and then offer the other side too.  It will help with your engorgement also.  It is normal to feel engorged during the early days and with time your supply will regulate to meet his needs.   It is normal for a breastfeed baby to want to eat every 2 hours though as breastmilk is easier to digest than formula and can be digested in as little as 2 hours during the early weeks.  As your baby grows your breastmilk changes to meet his needs.    You are doing right to feed on demand.  That really is best with the breastfed baby because it helps to establish a good milk supply.  There are a few ways to tell if baby is getting enough milk from you.    Your breasts should feel softer after a feeding.  Your baby should seem somewhat content after feeding.  He should have 2-3 poops in 24 hours and at least 6 wet diapers in 24 hours.  He should feed 8-12 times in a 24 hour period.  He should be gaining weight. 

If you have access to a lactation consulatant that could recheck his latch for you and make sure he is sucking effectively that would help too.  Are you feeling any pain at all when he is feeding.  It may be uncomfortable for the first minute or two but it should not be painful when he is latched on correctly.   

I know it helps to be on easy but at your baby's age I would just try to learn his cries and pretty much feed on demand (ie if nothing else works to calm him feed him) at least for the first few weeks.  And if he falls asleep while feeding and will stay asleep put him down so you too can rest. :wink:   Hope this helps.

[DeannaB]

I personally do both sides in the beginning as well.  I later after my supply is well established go to single side feedings.  I would also not try too hard to focus on EASY in the first month.  Most babies sleep most of the day...my last 2 had hardly much awake time at all the first 4-6 weeks, so therefore they fell asleep on the breast all the time.

[Erin (redstarfalling)]

Some great advice already!  I personally feel that it's a good idea to at least offer the second breast during each feed, but use breast compression with the first breast before you do, to make sure your lo is really emptying it. Then just start by offering the second breast first at the next feed, even if it's only 2 hrs later.  Like the other ladies said, it's not uncommon for a bf baby to eat every 1.5 - 2 hrs, especially right in the beginning - this should settle down soon.  How long does he tend to feed for? It's definitely hard to tell at first if the breast is empty!  You might notice, though, that his sucking changes from suck, suck pause (as he swallows a mouthful) to little sucks.  That usually indicates that the flow has slowed down.  It might pick up a bit with the breast compression, but if he keeps popping off or just nibbles, then I would suspect the breast is pretty empty (keep in mind that breast never really FULLY empty - there's always SOME milk!). Offer side 2 and go from there!  HTH and congrats on the lo!