You are doing really well hun. Hopefully things will get easier soon
I am a firm believer in mums' instincts, so I think following your gut is the way to go. Many babies that age have 8 or more feeds in 24 hours, so perhaps you could try not using the dummy, and squeezing an extra feed in instead to see what happens? Some times just a minor change to the routine can make a difference. Does that sound do-able?
hey, i'm going thru a similar scenario, wondering the same things, but throwing into the mix the fact that i have been giving EBM in a bottle at times, and also formula at times, and also he has thrush that i haven't been able to get rid of, so i really have NO IDEA why he feeds well sometimes (thru the night) and during the day comes off and screams, and re-attaches then cries again... i feel like his mouth is sore, but then why does he feed okay in the middle of the night.... so what happens is i give up on the feed and give him the dummy, however if i gave him a bottle he would drink, so i really have no idea...
he is 7 weeks and i thought we'd have things established now too.... sometimes i want to give up, as during the day which is when we are out, i never know if he is going to feed, and if he doesn't, it means i have a cranky hungry baby to try to console while i am busy trying to get things done, whereas if i had a bottle i could feed him.... so the whole convenience/ease factor of breast feeding while we are out and about goes out the window, as its just not happening.
i'm going to give it a few more weeks then re-assess the situation.
Have you tried wearing her in a sling during the day to help with settling? It sounds like your instincts are probably correct on the dummy, so perhaps you could try techniques for settling her that don't involve the dummy for a while, and see if you can work on that on its own.
Sounds like you're reading your baby beautifully though!
Thanks for all the advice girls. We have been dummyless almost 2 days now! I'll admit there have been moments where i've nearly caved, but I've held strong. She is still screaming before she attaches, but once she is on, she has a good feed.
MantaRay - I would have to wake her to get an extra feed in. I am currently demand feeding as she is a big girl (5.6kg) so am letting her set the pace.
Emma - I know exactly how you feel! Hope things are getting better for you
Jennifer - DD will only sleep in the sling if I am walking out and about, she wont just around the house. Atm, during the day I have to rock her to sleep. I am quite worried that she will get used to this though. I have tried to put her down in the cot 3 times today awake with no dummy, but she only screams at me, so then i rock her.
Marcellus - good to know it can take some time, and we're not alone!
There is a breast feeding drop in centre near me, so I am going to go to that tomorrow to see what the LC thinks is going on. I just really want to get this sorted, for both our sakes.
I'm glad the no-dummy is helping with the feeding - you're a clever Mummy to have figured it out and trust your instincts.
Re the worry as to rocking/holding her to sleep. Just remember, she's only very small still. Eight weeks ago she was rocked/held/continuously fed 24 hrs a day, 7 days a week. I doubt you're holding her even as much as 12 hours a day, so considering she has halved the amount of time she was used to being 'cuddled' is significant! Babies grow out of their need to be held and comforted as they get older. Nothing you are doing to provide that reassurance will stop her detaching when she is ready. In fact, the opposite may very well be true. A baby that is secure in its attachment and knows it can depend on you for comfort is likely to be much more settled as she grows.
Personality comes into it, but it sounds like you are being careful to meet your little one's needs now, and that's the most important thing.
Good work Manhattan!
Have to second what Jen said re rocking etc. DS was like that - we could not put him down at all for the first 8-9 weeks. But you know what? By 12 weeks he could put himself to sleep in the cot. (ok, it didn't last very long, but that's another story)
Just do what she needs you to do now. It'll all change so quickly.
Life Subscriber
Reply With Quote
Bookmarks