Is this too much of a loss?

**Jennifer13** · December 7th, 2009, 10:15 PM

Mel, you'll probably find that if you wake her for extra bfs during the day it won't take long before she suddenly starts becoming more demanding (and not quite so sleepy).

You are doing a GREAT job!

**Laranna** · December 7th, 2009, 11:11 PM

Mel, everyone has given fab advice as always, waking her during the day to feed more often is definitely the way to go to start with. You're doing an awesome job babe xox

**Arimeh** · December 8th, 2009, 05:10 AM

Thanks guys

Thank you so much for your support and encouragement. I really want to do right this time round, my last chance and all that. (Although, its quite sad to think this is my last baby, I think I'm grieving already that I won't have any more!!!

)

She had a much better day yesterday, and its rare that she will have a feed of just the one side, usually has a feed - conks out - then takes the other side about 10 minutes later - conks out... LOL

So her last feed was from 10.30 - 11.15 last night (I try and wait for her to slip off herself, unless she has passed out cold on the boob) and then she woke up at 2.40 for a feed, had both sides, and then was up again at 6 this morning for both sides.

So I think she fed enough yesterday? I haven't added up the feeds - not sure how it works with cluster feeding, do you count all feeds or is it counted as a feed when she has one side, naps for 10, then has the other side - is that one feed or two?

**Arcadia** · December 8th, 2009, 06:16 AM

Hi mel,

way to go! Its so confusing in the beginning hey? I would count anything in a 1 hour period as 1 feed. It is normal for bubs to have a few naps while feeding in those early days. The overnight feeding sounds like she'll be stacking on the weight in no time.

You're doing so well!!!!!

**~clover~** · December 8th, 2009, 07:44 AM

Sounds alot better.
If her normal feeds are about 40ish minutes long, I guess that you'd probably count every 40 minutes as a feed, or every time she has a bit of a break.
She's getting the hang of it

**Jennifer13** · December 8th, 2009, 07:49 AM

That sounds like a better feeding pattern, Mel. While I wouldn't get too hung up on when she last fed (as you're demand feeding, which is good), while you're getting bfing established and she's still a bit sleepy I'd be inclined to make sure she doesn't sleep too long during the day.

BTW, wet and dirty nappies both count, so if you can't tell there's a wee because she's done a poo, that one counts. It's output altogether, not just the wet! My DD did a poo every feed as a newborn so I'd never know if she'd weed or not most of the time.

**Heaven** · December 8th, 2009, 08:00 AM

That sounds better Mel! She's getting the hang of it. I didn't know what to count as a feed either in the early days because DD was on and off all the time. Boob was my solution to everything, lol.

**Arimeh** · December 8th, 2009, 08:14 AM

She woke up right at 9am - so exactly 3 hours between feeds

So she fed for around 35 minutes - she's usually 15 mins per side I've noticed, except when she's fuelling up for night time.. haha.. then its 40 minutes each side usually.

Now she's just chillin

Oh - and our attachment doesn't seem to hurt as much anymore? She has that special k lips after a while - she doesn't have it when she first hops on, but gets it soon after - so then it doesn't hurt - so I think she IS figuring it out - finally!!!! I'm still using the shields, but I think my flow is a bit fast for her without them, cos I fed without them at the osteo yesterday and she nearly choked to death.. LOL

**Heaven** · December 8th, 2009, 08:19 AM

Yay!! Well done to both of you!!

LOL, I remember the choking thing too, they eventually get used to it.

**Ryatha** · December 8th, 2009, 08:24 AM

so glad to hear that you are both getting the hang of it.

Like heaven said, boob was the answer to any of Freds cries to begin with. Some days it still is

**Jennifer13** · December 8th, 2009, 08:28 AM

That's it, Mel! Sounds like you might have turned a corner. This might not be the last small challenge to deal with, but you are definitely on the right track now!

**sloane** · December 8th, 2009, 08:34 AM

sounds like you & eden are going great guns now

**Arimeh** · December 11th, 2009, 12:57 PM

We have now been exclusively bfing for a week

Which isn't MUCH compared to what some of you guys have done, but I've beaten my previous record of 3 days!!!!!

She is getting better with her attachment, and managed the cradle hold today in the waiting room of the osteo - without the nipple shield!!! So I think we're getting there.

Just have to hope she is putting on weight..