Saw a lactation consultant today and got told that his jaw isn't opening big enough for some reason and that I should go home and keep feeding him ebm feeling rather emotional and over it, I want to enjoy my new baby not feel upset because we have to wrestle with him to try bf unsuccessfully and spend half my day on machine expressing . I have haps of milk and he has a great appetite he just can't open his mouth big enough (tinks mayby a muscle got hurt on way out), I know its only day 3 but argh I'm meant to be going home tomorrow, and I feel alone and cause its christmas its hard to get an appointment to have anyone help us with feeding problems.
I did have pethidine during labour, he gets very frustrated when trying to feed from breast and it just end up traumatising both of us
Yes, breathe. It won't be like this. It's only day 3. You will both get better with practice. If he hurt a muscle it will heal. If it's the pethadine (probable) it will be out of his system in a day or two. Parenting is a constant series of *being over it* - but it doesn't work like that. You get a problem, you work at solving it, and I rarely find a breastfeeding problem that can't be solved. As Tegam says, get a private LC. And you know the ABA helpline, 1800 6862686 is there 24/7 even over Christmas.
The first rule is "feed the baby" - is he getting adequate milk? If not, ask the midwives to show you how to hand express. The early days with a new baby are challenging however they are fed - it gets better
Day three is always an emotional day, so go gently on yourself.
You WILL get your baby to the breast, it may take some time and persistence.
I second the recommendation of a good LC, or a mobile midwife who could come see you at home. At this stage keep going with the EBM, because it's liquid gold...
EBM feeding while your little one grows a bigger mouth and a bit stronger is not the end of the world. Combine it with trying to attach and see how you go.
It took us about 6 weeks to get DS back to fully suck feeding (smallish sleepy baby), but he did it - and most babies do.
Hang in there!
Hang in there. I know all too well about being on the breast pump. It's never fun but incredibly hard in those early days when things aren't going as you planned. Ask someone like an LC to show you how to double pump hands free - it will make a difference in how much time you are on the pump and your ability to multi-task. Don't you just wish there was a place you could stay to get 24hr BF support!
The hospital I was at had LCs working there and I asked not to be discharged until I had a plan going.
Also if you need to pump at home try and organise the pump hire before you leave. It's hard to get onto that when you first get home.
The good news is that most babies make it back onto the breast.
hang in there it is really tough in the first couple of weeks & i think many people have hurdles/challenges to overcome that aren't made any easier by having hormones going crazy! some great advice already so i don't have anything knew. but i def agree with getting an LC to see you at home if possible & the ABA help line is awesome. they have lots of helpful suggestions & don't mind tears (they got me sobbing down the phone & a crying baby in the background!).
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Day 3 amd over it!
feeling rather emotional and over it, I want to enjoy my new baby not feel upset because we have to wrestle with him to try bf unsuccessfully and spend half my day on machine expressing . I have haps of milk and he has a great appetite he just can't open his mouth big enough (tinks mayby a muscle got hurt on way out), I know its only day 3 but argh I'm meant to be going home tomorrow, and I feel alone and cause its christmas its hard to get an appointment to have anyone help us with feeding problems.
it is really tough in the first couple of weeks & i think many people have hurdles/challenges to overcome that aren't made any easier by having hormones going crazy! some great advice already so i don't have anything knew. but i def agree with getting an LC to see you at home if possible & the ABA help line is awesome. they have lots of helpful suggestions & don't mind tears (they got me sobbing down the phone & a crying baby in the background!).
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