I'm just started breastfeeding and have a couple questions.?

Question

I was unsuccessful breast feeding my first daughter. I'm giving it a go with my second she is 5 days old.
I know she is getting milk cause I can hear her swallowing but sometimes even when I can hear her swallowing it hurts a little.
She always falls asleep before 15 minutes is done. Should I maybe only keep her on each side for 10 minutes instead.
She does have lots of yellow poopy diapers which the doctor said is right but I'm not sure how much she is peeing cause they may be in with the poopy diapers.
And it seems like she always want to feed it seems like between eating and falling asleep and burping it takes about 2 hours to feed and then she's ready to eat again.
I really feel as if we are on the verge of having this down but if anyone could give me some pointers or advice I would appreciate it. Easiest ways to get her to latch properly would be nice.

Answer 1

It all sounds fine. Just don't give up. It takes up A LOT of time and sometimes it does feel like the baby needs to eat as soon as they get done. The time between feedings will get longer as the baby gets older and can hold more in the stomach.

Latching was easier for me when I kind of rotated the nipple into the mouth and kind of jiggled it some. You may even need to pinch the nipple to make it firmer and then brush it acroos the cheeck of your baby. They can usually find it.

Answer 2

Feed her on one side until SHE LETS GO! Then offer the other, if she wants it fine, if she doesn't fine. Don't fall for that you have to switch after X time. Allowing your baby to decide lets them regulate how much water vs fat they get.

Don't worry about the pee if she is pooping enough. You only count the pee if you are worried about supply or dehydration and she is to the point where she regularly poops once a day or less.

It is so very hard to explain latch over the internet, particularly without photos. Honestly find someone in real life to help you, preferably someone with training. Lactation consultants are great, but depending where you live and on your insurance they may cost money. Another option that isn't free is to look for a post partum doula, they will also help with laundry and housekeeping and be trained in breastfeeding, so that may be useful. I obviously do not know what your finances are like.

Free options include your public health nurse (if available where you live) and La Leche League www.llli.org there should be a group near you.

Also call a local hospital they may run groups (maybe free maybe not) or ask if they have nurses trained in Lactation and whether you can either make an appointment or even just stop in. This may or may not e free.

Stick with it, it is worth it and you CAN do it. You do have enough milk and you milk is enough for your baby. I know it is hard, I had a lactation clinic near me I could go to for free and I don't know how many times I went. I started to get cracked nipples because my latch was off just slightly but the pain was so bad I didn't want to feed at all. I woke my hubby up first thing in the morning, even though the poor man works nights so he could drive us to the clinic when it opened.

Also, I promise it will get at lot easier at 6 weeks, this seems to be the magic number for most moms. Babies have more control of their heads, they are done with their first major growth spurt and you know them enough to know what they want some of the time.

Take care, IM me if you want

Answer 3

Just don't give up, be persistent, and be very patient.

This website will help with all that:
http://www.babycenter.com/baby/babybreastfeed/index

If she falls asleep don't worry just start on breast she left off on if she didn't nurse long, or go to other breast if she nursed sufficiently on other side. She will regulate how much she wants. If she gets sleepy undress her to her diaper.

As long as there IS always a wet diaper and she poops regurlarly, then your fine, it's when she consistently after a few diaper changes has no wet diaper then you need to worry about dehydration, and should consult your pediatrician.

Try to avoid giving formula for at least first 2 weeks. Be very observant, feed her during cue hunger signs, not when she's already crying - this is the last sign of hunger.

Pre-Cue Hunger Signs:
Squirming
Increased alertness or activity
Making rooting motions
Snuggling or rooting at the breast
Sucking on hands
Clenching fist by the face
Putting fist in mouth
Making sucking sounds or little sucking motions
Brushing a hand across face

How to Latch:
Feed during pre-cue hunger pains
Don't force feed
Use a nipple shield - keep it sanitized, this will help baby latch on if your have inverted or flat nipples or if you have had to resort to a bottle. I used this method. Do not make habit of using it. You can use it to start off, to get baby used to your milk, rather than formula, then gradually practice without the nipple shield.
Tickle upper lip - so baby can open wide
Make certain bottom lip is not tucked in, if so tug chin a little to pull bottom lip down

Soreness? Use:

Lanisol cream (sold at Babies-R-Us)

Be prepared for engorging, use cold packs, or chilled cabbage leaves, do not overuse or abuse the cabbage leaves since over use can deplete milk supply.

Avoid Caffeine it makes your breasts itchy.

and last but no least relax and drink lots of fluids.

Answer 4

I never did the sugar water thing before, but I know of one little trick that helped mine latch on. Once you get the two of you situated, stroke the bottom of her lip with your nipple. Babys have a rooting reflex that is usually triggered by this. She sould open her mouth really wide and that's when you pull her in to latch on. Breastfeeding is an art, and Mom and baby have to learn together. And it's different with every baby. My first was a breeze. We had no problem at all. My second was tough. It took us a good week or two to get the hang of it. My last two, twins, was pretty tough. We had just got the hang of it when I was told I couldn't do it anymore. :( Anyway, you sound like you have a good grip on things. The yellow, seedy looking diapers are perfect. Breastmilk is the perfect food for baby, and it sounds like she's doing a superb job digesting it. When it comes to wet diapers, that's a toughy. Newborns kind of pee nearly nonstop. They have no control over their bladders whatsoever. The poopy diapers are a better indication that you're doing the right thing here. I know breastfeeding is time consuming, but she's still little. Eating is hard work still, but as she gets a bit older she'll catch on too. In a couple weeks, she'll be able to eat all she needs and be satisfied for a few hours. Congrats on your new baby, and good luck. I hope this helps a little bit.

Answer 5

If she falls asleep before 15 minutes, then maybe she's full. I know the hospital or consultant says 15 minutes or 10 min on each breast, but noone ever seems to say to let the baby tell you when she's done. When she's content, she falls asleep.. when she's hungry, she'll cry and make a sucking noise from her mouth.
She's only 5 days old.. she wants to eat constantly because eating, sleeping, and pooping is her world at the moment. I know it's tiresome and exhausting, but this moment doesn't last long. It's tough now.. but soon she'll be able to schedule herself. You may have to feed her every 2 hours because she is hungry every 2 hours.. listen to her, she'll tell you what she needs. :)
It sounds like you two are off to a great start!

Answer 6

Hi there! Good for you for giving breastfeeding another try!
To get a good latch you need to let the baby open her mouth as wide as possible (they say as wide as a yawn but they don;t open that wide unless they are yawning) When their mouth is open stick your nipple in and try and get it as far in as possible. The baby's lips should be about a quarter to half inch over the aereola... her lips should be turned out and there should be milk in the corners of her lips and most importantly there should be no pain! (however, with me the first 5-6 sucks were sore)
I have the same problem with my little man about eating and then falling asleep... some babies are faster eaters then others... and some babies like to eat small amounts often ( a little too often)
Please don;t put sugar water on your nipples! your milk is sweet enough for your little girl and their taste buds are so sensitive... there is no need for it.
And as long as you are having 6-8 wet diapers (that includes poopy) you are doing just fine.
However i would encourage you to stick with it and feed your little girl as often as possible.. make sure she is getting both front milk and hinde milk!
Good luck!
I know you feel like a cow on a leash, i'm in the same boat with my 4 week old. and it is a constant cycle 24 7 of feeding. fingers crossed i will have enough milk pumped for 2 days worth so i can have a few drinks at christmas!

Answer 7

My wife had to try several different positions to try to get my son to latch. She also had to lightly "squeeze" the center of her breast so that it formed a firmer shape and was more steady.

We also had problems with our son falling asleep; my wife would just gently nudge him or slightly move positions to remind him what he was doing. From what we had read, it's completely normal for you little one to stop occasionally and need encouragement to continue.

We were concerned that he wasn't getting enough as well, If you've been doing this for 5 days and your daughter is still having healthy B.M's then she's doing fine.

For the pain, I would be careful about what kind of ointments you use as, my son wouldn't have anything to do with breastfeeding if he tasted anything funny. And from what I'm told scrubbing off lotion from an already sore nipple is not fun.

I do remember the whole process taking a long time in that first 2 weeks or so, but believe me, once your little one gets this down, she'll be going like a champ. We saved so much money in formula from doing this. It was such a great thing for my wife and son as well! I'd probably be more help, but my son just didn't want anything to do with my breast. :)

Good luck.

Answer 8

contact a lactation consultant or your local LLL leader
Some babies don't eat for 15 minutes Mine was done in 5-10 minuters and only ate from one side alternating each feeding.
For a sleepy baby uncover the baby, play with her feet. use a cool wash cloth lightly touch her cheek
I'm sure she is peeing, her diapers are wet with pee and stool. You would know if she dehydrated her mouth would be dry and not moist, pale and soft spot sukken in.. call the lactation consultant in your area she will show you how to have the baby latch on.
don't let the feeding go on for more than 45 minutes

Answer 9

once you teach baby and getting latching... it is all good. Babies do fall asleep eailsly while breastfeeding and I had to keep waking mine up. Also, breast milk digests faster, so they do eat more often. As for taking 2 hours... sometimes my baby took 2 hours and sometimes 10 minutes... depends on how lazy she was feeling. It can hurt when she swallow if she is moving her head. Hold her so her feet are pointed down and her head is more up, at a diagonal. That way gravity is helping her swallow. Good luck.. oh and if you crack, you can get really good creams for it.

Answer 10

When she starts to fall asleep, play with her toes or fingers this will wake her up and get her to feed longer, also try undressing her a bit, she is getting all warm and cozy and stops thinking about eating and starts thinking about sleeping.

It hurts because your breast aren't used to the feeding process, give it about a week or two and it won't hurt. I had some stuff called Lansinoh it is a pastey cream stuff (found next to breast pads and stuff like that) And it helps when you get cracks during those first couple weeks.