Am I breast feeding right?

Question

I have a little girl who is 3 weeks old today and as it's my first I'm still learning. I breast feed her but don't know if I'm doing it right. She sleeps for 3/4 hours and when she wakes up I feed her but the feeds usually take about 1 hour or more. The reason is that she falls asleep (we had the first check up last week and the doctor says to wake her up gently to see if she wants more and then try the other breast and to try to wind her between breasts). I do this and she burps ok and then falls asleep fine. The problem is that when I go to lay her down she's sick quite a lot (not all the time but usually). I'm worried that she's being sick because she's eating too much or that after she's sick she's still hungry. She doesn't cry so I assume that she's ok although she usually gets hicups after feeding so I try not to move her so much. Also when she first starts feeding she takes really big gulps and sometimes starts to choke a little so I have to sit her up right and pat her.

Answer 1

My little girl is 9 weeks now and she began feeding much like you are describing. first of all the falling asleep, try tiggling feet, gently, or stripping down to nappy as it will wake her up enough to feed some more. Secondly the health visitor and midwives advised me that you should only do one breast per feed as there are two types of milk, the fore milk (with the nutrients) and the hind milk (the stuff that is filling for the baby. So if you keep swapping breasts then the baby doesn't get filled up, so will try to feed for quite a while.
As for the sick, it's called posset, and is quite normal.
You can always get her weighed if you have a baby clinic nearby and that will reassure you that she is putting on weight.

You're doing everything right and have a happy baby! Congratulations!! Motherhood rocks!

Answer 2

It sounds like you have fast let down and she is getting a lot in a short amount of time. The reason that she falls asleep on the nipple is because she is full and she is using you a pacifier.
Trying leaning back when you feed her so that she has to work a little against gravity and maybe she won't choke and have to take such big gulps.
Call your hospital and ask to talk to a lactation nurse. Ask if there is a breastfeeding support group in your area that you can get some help at. If she does not know then call the heath department/WIC office and they will be able to tell for sure if there is one in your town.
Or you can set up a time to have her help you one on one but they may charge you $. Your INS may cover it but check first.
I worked in labor and delivery and still needed help for the same problems that you are having. The lactation nurses held support group at the hospital once a week and I went a lot because you have other mothers that are going through the same things that you are. Plus I got to weigh my baby every week and/or see how much she was getting when se nursed.
You are doing great and it sounds like you have lots and lots of milk.

Answer 3

It sounds like your'e doing absolutely brilliantly, it can take up to six weeks to settle down at breast feeding, as you get to know one anothers needs more. All that sleeping she is doing is really good and shows you have a great supply, keep this up by drinking lots of water, milk and a balanced diet eat when you feel hungry. Re the big gulps try expressing a little milk before you settle down to feed her - never let your breasts get hard and uncomfortable, this will only make it harder to feed her and you could become ill. Your breast will become accustomed to your baby's appetite after a time and your breasts should feel more comfortable. Look after your nipples too ask your health advisor for the best cream that is safe to use.

Answer 4

first of all i want to say well done for breast feeding - it's not easy i breast feeding my nearly 1yr old and she is only 16lb.

to start with when u feed ur baby the lips should curl round and her sucks should be long and not flutters. if she was still hungree after binging up a little milkshe would cry. If she is gainging weight dont worry and remmber thast breast fed babbies gain waight slower than bottle fed babys. also ask your helf visiter if there any breast feeing groups in the area.

you said she takes big gulps thats a good ting, try and lay hr on her side after a feed and see if that helps.and i would not worry about the hic ups. hope this helps. good luck!





















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Answer 5

Since she is 3 weeks old, it is very normal for her to fall asleep during feedings and to spit up frequently. The spit up will continue for many months and is not from overeating. Your baby will get stronger and more efficient at breastfeeding as she gets older. You may want to put her on a feeding schedule (example: every 3 hours) instead of waiting for her to cry before you feed her. Regularity and schedule is very comforting for a child and it may decrease the length of your breastfeeding sessions. (If you go too long between feedings your baby gets really hungry and "gulping" and taking a long time to feed). Best wishes!

Answer 6

My daughter was similar and so was I apparently - slow feeders. I wouldn't wake her up to see if she wants more - babies are good at having as much as they want. Maybe she's getting too full as you say and bringing some back up. Let her feed slowly. If she sleeps well after you've nothing to worry about. Every 3-4 hours sounds fine. If she's feeding fast at first she's making sure she's getting enough. You have to trust your baby will do what's good for her. It's lovely to hear you're breastfeeding, it's a beautiful experience and you sound like you're enjoying it. Go at your baby's pace.

Answer 7

I breast fed all my babies (3 ) for 8 months each. You are doing really well and everything you mention is perfectly normal. She sounds very content!...my babys used to do the same thing when starting to feed , it could just be that when your let down reflex kicks in she gets a lot of milk in one go (when your milk starts to flow) but everything you are doing is correct.
In a couple of weeks she might appear more hungry , she might demand more feeds. Babys do this to increase your milk production so if it happens dont worry ..she is just boosting her supplies! Your body will within a day or two make enough milk to satisfy her increased hunger. Nature is wonderful isnt it!

Answer 8

That sounds about right for that age to me. She is probably spitting up, not throwing up. At that age, my daughter was just like that. Took forever, took so much she choked, etc. Hang in there. Things change fast. In a few weeks, she will be better at it and her stomach will be bigger, she will go longer between feedings. But for now, you're doing fine. The recommendation from the previous post about the La Leche League is good, too. They are very helpful and you will meet a wonderful bunch of mothers there.

Answer 9

Sounds like your doing a good job and learning what she needs. It sounds very similar to what I went through. Take your doctors advice and wake her up gently if you feel the need to. Your baby isnt going hungry or she would definatly let you know about it and babys often look like they bring back most of the milk but its pretty normal and do try not to worry about it. Babies dont over eat at that age so dont worry about it. Sounds like your doing a fab job so keep up the good work! You will feel so special knowing that you have fed your baby yourself when she is bounding around!

Answer 10

The choking a little when your milk lets down is normal. You're only three weeks in and it takes time for your milk to regulate, as it does, and as she strengthens it will not be like that.

Try keeping her upright for 10-15 minutes after feeding, even if you have to prop her up to sleep. Babies spit up after eating, and its normal, vomitting up and entire meal is not normal. But it is normal for them to spit up when you lay them down.

You can try nursing her on one side each feeding. I couldnt nurse both sides at the same time- my son didnt have the stamina, and I produced enough milk on each side. We still only nurse one side at a sitting and he's 10 months old now.

You can also help with the spitting up by nursing her laying down, its easier on both of you- although its kinda tricky until you get the hang of it.

You're doing a great job! Keep it up! YOur milk will be regulated in a few days or a week or so, and as she grows this problem will subside.