Louisa K

I'm really struggling with breastfeeding, he latches on very well and sucks for ages, but he falls asleep with my nipple in his mouth and does the odd little suck here and there but I feel like he is just using my nipple as a dummie.

Also I really don't think he is getting enough to fill him up, my milk hasn't come through yet so I dont mind him sucking for ages because I know it will encourage the milk to come but he never seems full up at all.

I'm finding this very hard.

Today he was screaming like he was totally starving, I can even hear his little belly rumbling so I made him a bottle, he drank loads (even after about 4 hours of sucking on my boob) and fell straight to sleep and has been asleep ever since..

I really want to breastfeed him, but I don't want him to go hungry.

I really dont know what to do.

marley2580

Keep going with it hun. As you said, he's sucking to bring in the milk. Take him to bed with you, plug him in and get some sleep yourself. Your milk should be coming in shortly.

If you still feel that he's not getting enough tomorrow, have a wee chat with your midwife about cup feeding. I had to cup feed Kaya for a day while waiting for my milk to come in. Ironically though, supplementing means that it can take longer for your milk to come in as the baby sleeps instead of feeding. Babies are born with good reserves, as long as he's having lots of wet nappies try not to worry too much.

Samantha675

That is why a baby put fats stores on, and that it is totally normal for them to lose a bit of weight while the milk comes in. He has to work for that milk, it will come in, and eveything will settle. Before it comes in, let him feed when he wants to, as often as he wants to and that will help as well. Hang in there love, you can do this. If you have a Le Leche League near you, give them a call, and they can be amazing help from everything I have heard and read.

Margerle

This is awesome advice ladies!

Keep working Louisa! It's worth it!

Remember that baby had a constant connection with you for 9 months. He IS using you a bit as a comfort - with the specific reason to bring his food in!

Hang in there mama... as was said, just grab a good book or a stack of movies, a big glass of water, crawl up on the couch, latch him on and enjoy your new baby!

masi

When you get your milk, it will all be so much easier. Maybe another day, and you'll be so proud you perservered. Hang in there!!

luckyme225

Breastfeeding can be really frustrating the first week, I felt like Connor wasn't getting any food at all. He wouldn't stay on the breast for more then 10 minutes, would only feed on one side at a time and never really wanted to eat. I found that pumping really helped to bring in my milk faster. Once my milk came in and my engorgement went away, things started to get a whole lot easier. I also fed him the milk that I pumped so I could make sure he was getting enough in the first few days. Some say not to do it but he has had no problem with nipple confusion (guess I got lucky). Your doing great~

Louisa K

Thanks for all the advice ladies.. Its still such early days and I am probably expecting to much to soon..

Carley

Keep at it hunny; your milk should be in anytime!

Mango

Keep breast feeding hun you are doing well. My lil one's tummy was rumbling badly and it was actually due to reflux and not because she was hungry. Babies can sometimes be fussy at the breast when milk is flowing too fast, not fast enough etc.

Many babies will fal asleep at the breast because it is so so comforting to them. If you notice bub falling alseep, just blow a lil in his/her face to keep them going. But trust me, a hungry baby will not fall asleep so u are doing well.

Don't give up!!!! If you have more questions definitely post, I'm sure amongst us all we have been through it all ok.

masi

Hows it going now? Any better?