Week old bub, just want to know I'm on the right track..
So far I think we are doing fine. Attachment is getting easier, not as painful as it was at the start. Still slightly sore nipples, but I can actually feed her without noticing pain now. Touch wood!
However, just wondering if I need to offer both sides at a feed? She is feeding every 3-4 hrs and each time I do try to offer both. Sometimes she will take both, other times she will have a huge long feed on one and be too full for the other. Sometimes she will have a huge feed on one, I figure ok she is absolutely full and done, and then half an hr later she wakes wanting more - which is no fun at those 3am feeds when I just want to get back into bed!
Also then obviously I end up with one boob deflated and the other ready to explode! Can this be of any problem to me? I am worrying about mastitis etc....
& also is it a bad idea to offer a dummy to a bfed baby, just worrying about it stuffing up her attachment?
First of all, congrats on your new baby girl! Sounds as though you're doing great so far! DD only fed from one side at a time until around 3 months. I'd continue to offer both sides. If she wants it, she'll obviously take it. If she doesn't and you feel full on one side, try expressing a little until you feel comfortable. This will help prevent blocked ducts, mastitis etc.
You might find that your supply will settle down around 4-6 weeks once your body figures out how much to make for bubs. From then she might need to feed from both sides.
I was told to always offer both sides - sometimes he's only want a little from the second, but once your supply is established you'll make and use whatever she needs and won't feel like you're going to explode! Sometimes the time taken to feed doesn't relate to how much they have, iykwim.
"They" say not to offer a dummy while feeding is being established to stop nipple confusion, but if it works for you, go for it. If bub is comfort sucking on you, a dummy can be a good alternative (especially if it's painful, gives your bb's a break!). Once breastfeeding is established, it's unlikely to cause any issues.
Sounds like you're doing really well. Congratulations!
Congratulations on your new bubby!
Generally speaking, if you follow baby's lead then you'll be ok. The best indicator of input is output, so keep an eye on wet & dirty nappies if you've any concerns about how much she's getting.
She's still very little so frequent feeding is the norm - 3-4 hourly is actually on the low side, so don't be surprised if it picks up a bit from now. She will get faster as she gets bigger so it all gets easier with a bit of time.
Keep an eye out for engorgment and/or lumps - if she won't take care of it, express a little for comfort (not too much as you don't want to create an oversupply).
It is best to avoid dummies and bottles in the early weeks if you can as it can interfere with feeding. It can affect attachment, but also replaces sucking at the breast which may affect supply.
ETA - on 1 side or 2. It totally depends on you and your baby - ie, whatever she needs. There's no hard and fast rule that suits everyone.
i totally agree with MadB. my DS has only ever really fed on one side at a time...once your supply settles down after a few weeks, you probably won't feel so uncomfortable if only feeding on one side at a time.
do you change her at the 3am feed? i.e. feed one side, then change her, then see if she'll take the other? might stop the wake up 30 mins later - although that will settle itself soon enough
We offered two sides until she was 3 months old from memory, might have been a bit longer. My understanding is its important to offer both sides to get your supply established, which I believe is around the 3 month mark? We use to time the feeds so 30 min each side with a few burps inbetween.
I always allowed DD to comfort suck coz I was so worried about lack of supply and figured any sucking is good sucking. The discomfort of BF settled after a while for me (we had some big attachment issues).
As for the dummy, I know people who have given their babies a dummy from birth and it completely messed up their feeding. I know others who's babies seemed to be clever enough and it never caused an issue between dummy and feeding.
I never wanted DD to take a dummy, and fortunately when given the choice she didn't want it.
I wouldn't offer one until your supply was well and truly established, it might be fine or it might cause more harm than good in regards to supply. You'll probably have a lot of people trying to push into dummyhood so it really depends on what you're happy with.
I did think the 3-4 hr feeding pattern was too good to be true! Bummer. I am seeing the child health nurse tomorrow, the last two weigh in's she has lost a little, but not enough to be worrying. So I am hoping tomorrow for a gain so I know I'm on the right track with it.
Good point about the dummy, might just chuck it so I am not tempted.
Ok so I can feed from the one side, but I will try to do both.
Week old bub, just want to know I'm on the right track..
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