How to feed a brand new baby

[Rowellen]

Hi Redgum! As you know, I had no trouble getting my two to feed. I had more trouble getting DD to stop! So my experience might not help if there are other issues. With DS, the midwife suggested I tried feeding him straight away (the placenta wasn't even out!) so that's what I did. Another midwife told me that babies feed EVERY TWO HOURS. For up to an hour at a time. So that's what I did. I nearly died when I first heard that but I did it anyway. Those first few weeks were pretty much non-stop feeding. Round the clock. After the first 3 weeks, it slowed down a bit, but there were still times when it felt like ther were attached for hours on end with only short breaks. Apparently that's quite normal too and is called cluster feeding. I'm no expert but it is my understanding (and it was true in my experience), that everytime a growth spurt was happening, feeding would increase. I would feel empty and think they were getting nothing. But this is what increases the supply. There are some tricks to getting bub to open their mouth wide enough to attach properly, if you can get a midwife or LC to assist early on it will help you. If the attachment isn't right, take bub off and try again or you could damage your nipples. Use lansinoh. Best stuff ever. You can do it! Good luck

[Aussiegirl777]

Hi Redgum! Just had to jump in here and say congratulations on your pregnancy. I'm so happy for you!! xx

[JLeigh29]

I know its a bit off topic, but when I had DS, I was told that it's totally normal for milk not to come in until day four or five and that most babies are quite happy/able to go that long, as long as you keep offering, offering offering...they'll get a bit of colostrum and that's all they need. No one mentioned formula at all to me....

This is what I was told (at BFing classes, through ABA leaflets, and the hospital midwives and LC's)...
Offer every three hours or whenever baby wakes
Lots of skin to skin cuddles
Don't wash nipples/breasts with soap and no perfume (and ask anyone else visiting not to wear perfume), but smother in Lansinoh! Air dry nipples.

I also called a nurse in every time I was feeding, so they could help with/check attachment. I didn't care if they thought I was a PITA, I wanted to get this right!

[trishalishous]

I found the ABA to be fantastic. even though I was still feeding my 2yo when DS arrived, I had to learn how to attach a newborn all over again.