If this is your first visit, be sure to check out the FAQ by clicking the link above. You may have to register before you can post: click the register link above to proceed. To start viewing messages, select the forum that you want to visit from the selection below. |
|
|
Thread Tools | Display Modes |
#1
|
|||
|
|||
New Mama With Questions
Hi All,
I just gave birth to my son on Sunday and I while I've lurked in this group for a long time, I guess I'd like some encouragement now that I'm actually in the thick of learning to bf a newborn. My milk came in with a vengance today. We are still learning to nurse properly, and while there are times that he feeds contendedly and well, they are definitely not the norm. More often we have latch-on-latch-off-repeatedly type sessions where he gets a few good sucks and then tires out or yells for awhile. Should I be doing anything to get rid of the engorgement, or will things even out on their own? He was 8lb 9oz at birth and discharged from the hospital at 7lb 15oz. They want him for a weigh-in on Thursday...hopefully we can get some good feeds in between now and then, but should I expect that he will lose more weight this week? Thanks for any advice! --Jodi |
#2
|
|||
|
|||
New Mama With Questions
Jodi B wrote:
I just gave birth to my son on Sunday and I while I've lurked in this group for a long time, I guess I'd like some encouragement now that I'm actually in the thick of learning to bf a newborn. Congratulations on your new baby! My milk came in with a vengance today. We are still learning to nurse properly, and while there are times that he feeds contendedly and well, they are definitely not the norm. More often we have latch-on-latch-off-repeatedly type sessions where he gets a few good sucks and then tires out or yells for awhile. Should I be doing anything to get rid of the engorgement, or will things even out on their own? If the engorgement makes it very difficult for baby to nurse (my nurse compared it to nursing "from a beach ball"), try pumping a bit first. Otherwise, it should even out by itself. Meanwhile, I would stop the nursing if it's a latch-on-latch-off situation, re-open baby's mouth wide, and try to relatch properly. I hope you are not timing his feeds. Nurse him for as long as it takes for him to latch off on his own or he falls asleep (after a proper nursing, not falling asleep within a minute or so). He was 8lb 9oz at birth and discharged from the hospital at 7lb 15oz. They want him for a weigh-in on Thursday...hopefully we can get some good feeds in between now and then, but should I expect that he will lose more weight this week? My pediatrician said to expect regain to birth weight in 2 weeks. It sounds like your baby will be fine. -- Anita -- |
#3
|
|||
|
|||
New Mama With Questions
Irrational wrote:
Congratulations on your new baby! Thank you! Meanwhile, I would stop the nursing if it's a latch-on-latch-off situation, re-open baby's mouth wide, and try to relatch properly. Well, that's the thing...he'll latch on well, take a few sucks and pop off and yell, or just pop off and root around again. I know I have milk coming out and that he's getting it, but it's like he gets impatient or something. This is the hardest to deal with when we are all tired and I can't seem to get him on to stay for very long, but he is definitely hungry. Last night he got downright mad when he was trying to nurse and I'm not sure why. I hope you are not timing his feeds. Nurse him for as long as it takes for him to latch off on his own or he falls asleep (after a proper nursing, not falling asleep within a minute or so). No, I don't time them. He has a much harder time staying awake to nurse during the day. I'm hoping this gradually changes as he gets used to being outside of the womb. My pediatrician said to expect regain to birth weight in 2 weeks. It sounds like your baby will be fine. I know he will be fine, I think I'm just new-mom nervous about him getting enough to eat often enough. --Jodi |
#4
|
|||
|
|||
New Mama With Questions
"Jodi B" wrote in message t.net... Irrational wrote: Congratulations on your new baby! Thank you! Meanwhile, I would stop the nursing if it's a latch-on-latch-off situation, re-open baby's mouth wide, and try to relatch properly. Well, that's the thing...he'll latch on well, take a few sucks and pop off and yell, or just pop off and root around again. I know I have milk coming out and that he's getting it, but it's like he gets impatient or something. This is the hardest to deal with when we are all tired and I can't seem to get him on to stay for very long, but he is definitely hungry. Last night he got downright mad when he was trying to nurse and I'm not sure why. My DS did this when he was a newborn and it can be very frustrating. Do you think the milk is coming out too quickly causing him to come off the breast? I know that was a problem I had with both kids. I used to hand express a little first which seemed to help. Also, that latching on and off can be a bit frustrating ... and painful .... and my kids used to have trouble re-latching when there was milk and slobber everywhere so I would dry both me and the kid with a clean cloth nappy / towel before re lataching - and this made a big difference to my patience, their latch and also it meant I never got sore nipples. I hope you are not timing his feeds. Nurse him for as long as it takes for him to latch off on his own or he falls asleep (after a proper nursing, not falling asleep within a minute or so). No, I don't time them. He has a much harder time staying awake to nurse during the day. I'm hoping this gradually changes as he gets used to being outside of the womb. My pediatrician said to expect regain to birth weight in 2 weeks. It sounds like your baby will be fine. I know he will be fine, I think I'm just new-mom nervous about him getting enough to eat often enough. I can vaguely remember trying to keep my DD awake long enough to have a decent feed when she was a very sleepy newborn. I would undress her a little which seemed to help her stay awake long enough for a decent feed. This problem didn't last very long though. It does get a lot easier with time. Amanda |
#5
|
|||
|
|||
New Mama With Questions
FlowerGirl wrote:
I can vaguely remember trying to keep my DD awake long enough to have a decent feed when she was a very sleepy newborn. I would undress her a little which seemed to help her stay awake long enough for a decent feed. This problem didn't last very long though. Thanks for the well wishes and information, everyone! I'm responding under Amanda's post but I've read them all. We have two main problems: 1) waking up to feed and 2) latching I took him in for his weight check appointment today and they found he was 10% below his birth weight and sent me home with instructions to feed him every two hours, and bottles of formula for him to supplement with. They want to weigh him again tomorrow. I haven't used the formula as I'm able to pump a couple of ounces after each attempted feeding. I'm so frustrated because I can't feed him every two hours because is SOUND asleep. I undress him and tickle feet and use a wet washcloth and every trick in the book. Then, when he does wake up (usually around the 3-ish hour mark), I can't get him to stay on my breast for any substantial length of time. I work with him for 30-45 minutes and he does get some from the breast, but not very much. I read on kellymom that we shouldn't work too hard at latching and get him too frustrated because that will just cause an aversion. I get good let downs, but not too powerful, as they don't choke him. I am hoping he wakes up out of his sleepy newborn phase so that he will wake himself when he is hungry and be more agreeable to latching on. Every time my hubby tops him up with a bottle I feel like such a failure. He has had about 4 decent, long feeds with good swallowing directly from my breast. I know he (we) can do it, but I don't know why we aren't. Thanks again for the support, this is probably a really jumbled post as I'm feeling quite scattered right now. --Jodi |
#6
|
|||
|
|||
New Mama With Questions
"Jodi B" wrote in message t.net... FlowerGirl wrote: I can vaguely remember trying to keep my DD awake long enough to have a decent feed when she was a very sleepy newborn. I would undress her a little which seemed to help her stay awake long enough for a decent feed. This problem didn't last very long though. Thanks for the well wishes and information, everyone! I'm responding under Amanda's post but I've read them all. We have two main problems: 1) waking up to feed and 2) latching I took him in for his weight check appointment today and they found he was 10% below his birth weight and sent me home with instructions to feed him every two hours, and bottles of formula for him to supplement with. They want to weigh him again tomorrow. I haven't used the formula as I'm able to pump a couple of ounces after each attempted feeding. I'm so frustrated because I can't feed him every two hours because is SOUND asleep. I undress him and tickle feet and use a wet washcloth and every trick in the book. Then, when he does wake up (usually around the 3-ish hour mark), I can't get him to stay on my breast for any substantial length of time. I work with him for 30-45 minutes and he does get some from the breast, but not very much. I read on kellymom that we shouldn't work too hard at latching and get him too frustrated because that will just cause an aversion. I get good let downs, but not too powerful, as they don't choke him. I am hoping he wakes up out of his sleepy newborn phase so that he will wake himself when he is hungry and be more agreeable to latching on. Every time my hubby tops him up with a bottle I feel like such a failure. He has had about 4 decent, long feeds with good swallowing directly from my breast. I know he (we) can do it, but I don't know why we aren't. Thanks again for the support, this is probably a really jumbled post as I'm feeling quite scattered right now. --Jodi You certainly aren't a failure!!! Its early days and what you describe isn't particularly unusual. I remember being really frustrated with bf for the first 5 days when bf my first child ... and then it started to come together and pretty soon it became a breeze! If I can count, he's on day 6 today? Its fairly normal to drop to 10% below birthweight in the first week. ...and at 8lb 9oz, he's not exactly a low birthweight baby so not a huge worry at this stage! I vaguely remember that they should start gaining weight again by about day 10 -14 (both my kids had lost 10% birthweight by day 4 but packed in on again pretty quickly ... but they weren't small at 7lb 10oz and 9lb 12oz respectively). I've also heard that they should regain their birthweight by 10 days which neither of mine did... they gained it back by the 4-week mark though. What's a "substantial length of time" for a feed? My DD would take 40 minutes to finish a side and my DS could be done and dusted with both sides at 20 minutes. ...and what makes you think he isn't feeding well? (remembering that they have really tiny tummies and its also quite hard to tell how much they are getting when breastfeeding so can you see milk at the corners of his mouth when he feeds? Regular swallowing?). How many wet nappies in a day? Is the urine pale? If he's got pale uring and going thorugh 6-8 nappies a day that's a good sign. Kellymom is a good source of info, and another good source it the Australian Breastfeeding Association: http://www.breastfeeding.asn.au/default.htm I'm no expert, but personally, I'd not be supplementing with formula at all at this stage, rather and concentrating on getting him to have efficient feeds when he's awake. Seeing a lactation consultant may help give you pointers and help give you confidence. Good luck and let us know how he goes over the next week or so. Amanda You are doing a great job. |
#7
|
|||
|
|||
New Mama With Questions
Hi -- Remember, it's just about impossible to measure what goes into a newborn. So don't even try! Instead, measure what comes out. Your baby should have at least 6-8 soaking wet diapers every day and at least one poopy diaper during the newborn period. Beyond that, just try not to fret. Unless the diaper count is too low, STOP topping off with bottles, even bottles of EBM. The important thing to to establish the nursing relationship and avoid confusing either your body or the baby, and bottles will confuse the situation. (If the diaper count is too low, then bottles of EBM are temporarily indicated, I should think.) The nursing DOES get easier, I promise. For me, it took about a month before I realized that it had become easy somewhere along the way. And with both babies the first week was really rough, for different reasons with each child. But the stress of the first week was worth it, in the long run, and I hope you'll find the same thing yourself. Congratulations on your new baby, --Beth Kevles -THE-COM-HERE http://web.mit.edu/kevles/www/nomilk.html -- a page for the milk-allergic Disclaimer: Nothing in this message should be construed as medical advice. Please consult with your own medical practicioner. NOTE: No email is read at my MIT address. Use the GMAIL one if you would like me to reply. |
#8
|
|||
|
|||
New Mama With Questions
In article t,
Jodi B wrote: I just gave birth to my son on Sunday and I while I've lurked in this group for a long time, I guess I'd like some encouragement now that I'm actually in the thick of learning to bf a newborn. Congratulations! My milk came in with a vengance today. We are still learning to nurse properly, and while there are times that he feeds contendedly and well, they are definitely not the norm. More often we have latch-on-latch-off-repeatedly type sessions where he gets a few good sucks and then tires out or yells for awhile. Should I be doing anything to get rid of the engorgement, or will things even out on their own? It will settle on its own eventually, but that can be a loooong time! I suspect two things: 1. You are still learning your baby's hunger signals. Don't wait for him to cry before you put him to the breast. When they cry they sometimes become too overwrought to feed well. IF he starts mouthing, rooting, snuffling etc, try him then. 2. If your breasts are very full it may be hard for him to get a good latch. Try hand-expressing before you put him on. He needs to get his little gums onto your areola, and when you are really full it's a bit like trying to suck on a balloon! BFing is a bit like ballroom dancing -- both of you have to learn the steps, and learn to work together. OF course if you are in any sort of pain, seek help from your local breastfeeding support group. -- Chookie -- Sydney, Australia (Replace "foulspambegone" with "optushome" to reply) http://chookiesbackyard.blogspot.com/ |
#9
|
|||
|
|||
New Mama With Questions
I took him in for his weight check appointment today and they found he was 10% below his birth weight and sent me home with instructions to feed him every two hours, and bottles of formula for him to supplement with. They want to weigh him again tomorrow. I haven't used the formula as I'm able to pump a couple of ounces after each attempted feeding. I'm so frustrated because I can't feed him every two hours because is SOUND asleep. I undress him and tickle feet and use a wet washcloth and every trick in the book. Then, when he does wake up (usually around the 3-ish hour mark), I can't get him to stay on my breast for any substantial length of time. I work with him for 30-45 minutes and he does get some from the breast, but not very much. I read on kellymom that we shouldn't work too hard at latching and get him too frustrated because that will just cause an aversion. I get good let downs, but not too powerful, as they don't choke him. I am hoping he wakes up out of his sleepy newborn phase so that he will wake himself when he is hungry and be more agreeable to latching on. Every time my hubby tops him up with a bottle I feel like such a failure. He has had about 4 decent, long feeds with good swallowing directly from my breast. I know he (we) can do it, but I don't know why we aren't. Thanks again for the support, this is probably a really jumbled post as I'm feeling quite scattered right now. Oh, you poor thing, how undermining your doctor has been. He's 5 days old if I'm counting correctly, which is the exact time you'd expect him to be at the max below birthweight and 10% less than birthweight is absolutely fine. Most doctors use 10% as a threshold, but it's debatable whether it's really necessary as long as other signs of health are reassuring. Weighing the next day is incredibly unreliable, most people weigh babies undressed and the weight can depend on when they weed and pooed, he could by the scales have lost weight tomorrow, yet really have gained. Do not give any supplements of formula, they are entirely unnecessary from the information you have given. You can check that he's doing ok by monitoring hydration based on nappy output, which for a newborn should be 6 wet nappies a day. It's possible that a little boost might help him, which you can do with your own breastmilk, you said you were engorged, so you should be able to hand express into a cup, then give it to him by any method other than a bottle, don't let a bottle anywhere near him until you have fully established breastfeeding. You don't mention any details about the birth - if you received IV fluids for any length of time, the babies birth weight can be higher than it really would have been and weight lost is simply loosing fluids that were never even supposed to be there. I really wouldn't go back for the weight check tomorrow, I'd watch to see that he's hydrated, on the off chance he isn't supplement without using a bottle with your own milk, but still don't go and get him weighed. Continue to watch for hydration and only go get him weighed when your curiosity gets the better of you! Anne |
#10
|
|||
|
|||
New Mama With Questions
(If the diaper count is too low,
then bottles of EBM are temporarily indicated, I should think.) supplements of EBM rather than bottles, Beth, there are numerous ways to get milk into a baby without resorting to a bottle. I suggested supplementing by an alternate method regardless of diaper count because at this age and being sleepy, there is a possibility of jaundice and jaundiced babies don't regulate the amount they eat so well, yet it's intake of breastmilk that helps them get passed the jaundice, so a small amount of supplementation, say 10ml via syringe, might give him the boost he needs to get beyond being too sleepy to feed well and fully establish breastfeeding. Anne |
Thread Tools | |
Display Modes | |
|
|
Similar Threads | ||||
Thread | Thread Starter | Forum | Replies | Last Post |
FAO Em (mama to Micah) | Anne Rogers[_2_] | Pregnancy | 3 | April 6th 07 07:15 AM |
Being called "Mama" by random people | cjra | Pregnancy | 10 | April 10th 06 06:50 AM |
questions | April & Bump | Pregnancy | 13 | November 29th 05 01:36 PM |
More OAL questions | Alphawave | Breastfeeding | 3 | July 23rd 03 04:00 AM |