Breastfeeding question?

Question

I'm breastfeeding my 6 day old daughter and I'm not sure if she's getting enough milk.
She doesn't sleep much at night but she sleeps well during the day.
She is having pees and poos and she does spit up once in awhile.
Yesterday my boobs were so sore and today they aren't and I started leaking today for the first time was I previously engorged.

Answer 1

don`t pump out your milk. the more you nurse her the more milk you produce. she is having pee and poo meaning that she get enough. some time baby have too much energy. you can try letting her suck your nipple. when she suck until tired she will fall a sleep.

Answer 2

if she is having wet and poopy diapers then she is probably getting enough milk. I know it's kinda scary in those first few days with your baby and wondering if she'sgetting enough of your milk. If she seems happy then I would think she's getting what she needs. Don't worry if she doesn't sleep a whole lot at night....in these early days your baby may have her days and nights mixed up. In a week or so take her in to your pedi for a weigh in. Don't be alarmed if she seems to not have put on a whole lot of wieght. This is totally normal. Trust yourself as a mom and be reassured that your milk is exactly what she needs. As for your sore boobs, that could be a plugged duct. Please be sure you are nursing your baby at LEAST every two hours. Don't let any more time go by between feedings. THis will ensure an ample milk supply AND keep plugged ducts and breast soreness at bay. I would put cool cabbage leaves directly on your breast. Believe it or not, this really provides relief. Good luck and enjoy your babymoon!!

Answer 3

Don't worry unless your baby isn't peeing as much as she should be (6-8 a day). the number one reason women quit breastfeeding is because they don't think their babies are getting enough milk. and don't worry about pumping. lots of babies have their days and nights mixed up after they are born. this is because they are used to sleeping during the day in your belly because it was like they were being rocked all day long while you were moving around. didn't you ever notice that the baby would move when you laid down at night?

you were probably engorged. were your breasts huge and feel kinda lumpy on the outside? your milk supply will adjust just give it time. whatever you do don't give up.

i know this wasn't in your question, but if your baby wants to eat like every 15 min that doesn't mean you don't have enough milk that means that your baby is only drinking enough to get satisfied, not full. if this happens then try to hold off feeding her a little longer at a time so she will eat more at a time. my baby wanted to do this and my nipples got so sore that i wanted to quit, but i hung in there. and i am so glad i did. breastfeeding is so wonderful.

if she has gained weight by her two week check up then you'll know she's getting enough. my baby gained weight even though he spit up everthing he ate. i wasn't aware that the milk i was drinking was causing him to spit up. but he still gained weight, because the breast milk is so good for them.

hope this helps

Answer 4

If she is having enough wet and dirty diapers and gaining weight, she is getting plenty. It is very common for new breastfeeding moms to wonder "is my baby getting enough to eat??" It's mostly because you don't have ounce marks on your breasts. :) I wondered the same thing but my son was gaining so much weight, there was no doubt he was getting enough.

As for sleeping, my pediatrician told me that until they are 3 months old, babies do not have a steady sleeping pattern. Sleep charts for babies are very erratic. They may sleep hours in a very light slumber or 10 minutes in a sudden deep sleep. Adult sleep charts are steady, reliable, cyclic. Her sleep at this point has nothing to do with how much she is eating and everything to do with her stage of development. As she starts noticing things around her, she'll realize nothing fun happens at night and she'll adjust her sleeping accordingly. It will just take time.

Whatever you do, don't pump! If you pump, you are just telling your body to make MORE and it will just end up with you over producing. Then when you stop pumping, you'll just be full and sore again. If you need to relieve pressure, try a warm shower or bath or boil some cabbage leaves and put them on your breasts. The first couple weeks are not a picnic but they don't last forever. :)

Answer 5

everything u mentioned is very normal, google breast feeding and read all u can on it to ease your mind. baby will poo with each diaper when nursed usually and the not sleeping much is also normal at that age. hang in there cause its about to get a little tougher. if your nipples begin to hurt there is stuff u can buy to put on them that helps. make sure baby is getting plenty of areola and not just nipple when nurseing or you will experience a lot of pain. also you should talk to a lactation consultant who can help you with any nurseing problems or questions, most hospitals and peds offices have them. some health depts even send them to your home to help if you request it


about the pumping when engorged...dont do that. let baby nurse instead because whatever u use u make so if u pump off excess ur just gonna make more excess

Answer 6

playing catch is a pain, quite literally! She is doing fine, sounds like you are too. Here is what i did so that mine would sleep longer at night........give her more of the quick feedings during the day and keep her awake...not all day of course, but basically just don't let her sleep all day. Then in the evening before bed let her nurse a lot.....that will fill her up and help her sleep longer. Make sure you put her down at a time that lets you unwind and spend some quality time with the hubby...and as tempting as it is, go to bed a few hours after she does...you should wake her up for another feeding right before you go to sleep so you can get a full three to four hours before she wakes up.

Isn't it funny how when she cries you start to tingle and fill up?

Answer 7

As long as she is wetting the diaper, she is eating enough. also, follow some of the other suggestions; IE: pumping. Talk to your doctor about your concerns. Also, she is only 6 days old, she has her days and nights mixed up. There were good suggestions mentioned. She will establish day & night as she gets older and you both have developed a routine that works for you. be patient & don't stress. Also, remember her daddy. don't completely ignore him, ask him what kind of help he wants to give;IE getting her in the middle of the night and changing her for you before the feeding, rocking her to sleep after eating for quality daddy/daughter time. Enjoy you little girl and good Luck!

Answer 8

There is no need to pump to see how much milk your baby is getting. Your milk usually comes in around 3-7 days so that's probably what's happening. Your milk probably came in yesterday (swollen, hard/full, warm, sore) and after baby nursed and relived the pressure, you fill better.

It's normal for breastfeeding mother to worry about baby not getting enough milk. In fact it'sprobably the most asked questions by mothers and if not answered by soemone knowledgable it is probably one of the main reasons women quit breastfeeding their babies. I'm breastfeed my second and I still worry. I take him by the doctors office when we're out sometimes just to have him wieghed! It eases my mind to see the numbers as he grows! LOL

Here is what LLL says about knowing baby is getting enough milk."
"Once mother's milk comes in, usually on the third or fourth day, the baby should begin to have 6-8 wet cloth diapers (5-6 wet disposable diapers) per day. (An easy way to feel the weight of a wet disposable diaper is to pour 2-4 tablespoons of water in a dry diaper.)

In addition, most young babies will have at least two to five bowel movements every 24 hours for the first several months, although some babies will switch to less frequent but large bowel movements at about 6 weeks.

A baby that is sleeping rather than feeding every 2-3 hours or is generally lethargic may need to be assessed by a health care provider to make sure that he is adequately hydrated.

These are additional important signs that indicate your baby is receiving enough milk:

The baby nurses frequently averaging at least 8-12 feedings per 24-hour period.
The baby is allowed to determine the length of the feeding, which may be 10 to 20 minutes per breast or longer.
Baby's swallowing sounds are audible as he is breastfeeding.
The baby should gain at least 4-7 ounces per week after the fourth day of life.
The baby will be alert and active, appear healthy, have good color, firm skin, and will be growing in length and head circumference. "

To make sure you have a good milk suppy nurse your baby on demand. Breastfeeding is all about supply and demand. Do not try to put her on a schedule. And she might nures every 45 minutes to every 2 hours for the first few weeks. BAbys have 2-3 growth spurts the 1st 6 weeks and nurse constantly. Do not supplement with formula, it will hurt your supply.

As for sore nipples--Breastfeeding is not supposed to hurt. It is intended to be an enjoyable experience for you and your baby. read this page http://www.llli.org/FAQ/sore.html
If you have sore nipples it is probably due to bad latch. If you get sore nipples after breastfeeding for a while without sore nipples it's probaly thrush.

For more info about being engorged read this page http://www.llli.org/ba/Nov00.html

Also LLL has a forum to ask other breastfeeding mothers for help and suggestions

I hope this helps! Keep brestfeeding, it is the best for you and your baby

Answer 9

If she is peeing and pooping normally, then she is getting enough to eat. She may just have her days and nights mixed up. You could also try a breast pump to help with the engorgement.

Answer 10

Your baby has days and nights mixed up because she is still a newborn. Don't worry it sounds to me like she is getting plenty of milk. Don't time her just let her decided. You used to rock your baby to sleep in the day so it's no wonder she still sleeps like that now. And your boobs don't hurt so bad because your body is finally learning to adjust. Breastfeeding doesn't hurt forever. I hope that helps good luck!