So we're on the boob but...

[Miss E]

Your doing a fabulous job honey! That first week or so of breastfeeding can by really trying, but by the sounds of things you've done really, really well overnight. I'm definately not an expert, but I'll share my experience with you in the hope that some of the things I found out might help.

The first thing I would say is don't be scared to try a nipple shield, even if it is only for the left side. I had a lot of problems with my left side too, including an inverted nipple, but found that if I used the shield it would stop it hurting and make it easier for bubs to attach. It also meant that if he did loose his attachment he could easily regain it (which was great for us cos we really struggled with attachment). I know some people do say that they will affect your supply etc, but in my case if I didn't use it I wouldn't have continued b'feeding because my nipples ended up in such bad shape. We used it up until 8 weeks when I gradually stopped using it. By that time DS was much bigger and was soon able to attach himself. And FWIW I have absolutely no supply issues.

My DS was a really sleepy baby after being jaundiced, so we also had the problem of him falling asleep while on the boob. The tricks I was taught by the midwives were:
- undress bubs before the feed so they are in just a nappy and singlet (less likely to fall asleep if they're not so snug and apparently your body heat is enough)
- tickle their feet
- mess up their hair
- basically anything that is annoying and stops them falling into the land of nod
- apply a cold facewasher to forehead, legs or wherever to wake them up (my LC was really against this one so I only did it a couple of times before she suggested it wasn't very nice, but it did work).

With the sides try to make sure each one gets the same amount of use so that you get an even supply. My LC told me that you should always offer both sides. So if bubs has finished with one side, maybe change their nappy etc and then offer the other side. If they don't take it it is no big deal, but it helps encourage them to have proper feeds rather than snacking, which pays off in the long run.

Anyway I hope this helps, like I said I am definatley no expert, but these things helped me when I thought that there was no way I would be able to breastfeed long-term. It is really hard in the early days, but you are doing a fabulous job! GL

[Epacris]

Aww Mel, you are doing so well!

So much of what you said reminds me feeding my DD through those early weeks. I think she would do pretty much all of those things you mentioned. But she got much, much better at feeding as she got older (as they do).

With the positioning not being right (bringing that bottom lip up) and changing during the feed, my DD did this and I used to hold her head with one hand and my boob with the other and kind of keep her clamped on so she couldn't move. I think I probably had a pillow under her body to raise her up. It seemed to work for me Actually I still hold my boob in position for her now otherwise she backs off and doesn't take enough nipple into her mouth.

particularly on the left side, she will do some fast sucks, and then not suck for a few seconds (maybe 20?) and then will suck really really hard.

She's probably just adjusting her sucking to your flow, so you're probably getting a let-down and she doesn't need to suck at that point, then the let-down will go and she thinks "hey, what happened, I want some more of that". Lots of babies, mine include, actually pull of completely during let-down and milk spurts out everywhere. Some people suggest you express until you get a let-down and then put them on so they're less likely to be fussy like that, but I never bothered, we just kind of worked through it.

More hugs and support to you!

[Kmn]

Mel - are you right handed? I found that the side with the more coordinated arm was much easier to keep bub where he was supposed to be when using a football hold!
If this is part of the issue then you can use a football hold on the right and a cradle hold on the left, so that you are always using your coordinated arm!
Over the next few weeks Eden's mouth will grow and she'll get stronger and less floppy - which makes things vastly easier.
THe cluster feeding in the evening is totally normal. You can either give her the same boob until it feels empty or gets sore or the other one feels too full, or keep swapping. Whichever you prefer.
The most important thing at this stage is to manage your boobs so that they don't get too engorged for too long - so remember to express if she does have a big sleep and you feel like you are exploding!
Yay for you both!