Newborn

HELP! I know its very early days but I'm so tired dd just doesn't seem to fill up she always wants to eat it seems but she can't live on me I need sleep but she cries and acts starving when I get her off even after 40mins bf she acts starving I only got a little sleep when nursery took her last night for couple hrs and she slept for them under some warm wraps ,also she's been mucousy and poos her nappy a million times a day

Hi, hang in there! She must only be a couple of days old? You are still in hospital? She knows exactly what she has to do to bring in your milk - feed frequently! And that’s what she’s doing. She will bring your milk in today or so. Remember, she has spent her whole life INSIDE your body (she didn’t just begin when she was born) I bet the birth was hard going for you - for her too. She wants you! It’s a compliment, it won’t always be like this. I know you are worried that it will all turn out the way it did with your previous breastfeeding experience, but try to take a day at a time. She will change. Try to keep visitors away (the staff will help with that) sleep when she sleeps. Today will be a better day.

Thanks yes she was born wed night only made it to hospital an hr before she was born didn't know I was in labour so it wasn't too hard and was drug free which has helped heaps already with bf

Bf just seems very confusing to me its not black and white so I'm not sure if I'm feeding her enough and stuff I know she had enough she had a 30min feed plus 2 syringes of antenatal colostrum but she still acts starving

To me 30 minutes doesn't seem very long for a newborn. I remember DS2 could take up to an hour to feed. Its long and frustrating to begin with, but once your milk comes in and things settle down she'll become a more efficient feeder.

Try to rest/sleep when she is and just enjoy the cuddles while feeding.

Congrats JB! Very exciting! First off, deep breath and relax for a minute. You have a gorgeous baby girl! If you can today, if you aren't too tired, spend some time with her. Sit and hold her, lie down together, have some skin on skin time, just enjoy being together. This will get all the good hormones going and help that milk come in.

As Barb said - she is doing what she is programmed to do - feed lots, suck lots, to get your milk in. It won't be like this forever! Many mums find it confusing at first - is there anything in particular that you're concerned about, apart from the fact that she is feeding lots?

Hang in there xx

Congratulations JB :)
You've been given some great advice already but I was going to mention that I found my ergo to be priceless in those early weeks. It's easy to just put bub in and let them enjoy the booby buffet for as long as they like while you rest or do what you need to do. Keep it in mind for when you're at home.

Hey, yep that's what a baby will do for the first five or so days, maybe more because they are trying to bring your milk in. My DD fed for around an hour at a time but I did have to nudge her to feed - she was a little sleepy and lazy. Are you feeding from both sides? I used to feed around 30 mins on one side then change bubs nappy and feed for around another 30 mins on the other. Just remember bubs used to be fed like they were going through a 24 hour drive thru and with little effort, so they will want to feed all the time with no set routine. Huge hugs the first few weeks are the toughest

Hi Jelly, I agree with all of the above. Bubby sounds like she is doing a good job at doing what babies do best. Perhaps you need some reassurance and support from people around you. Are you eating well and drinking well too?? It's hard being tired and second guessing yourself. But every time she fusses offer the breast and eventually she will have enough to take a little rest. Good luck when that milk starts flowing!!

Thinking of you x

Just want to also say if you need reassurance/help check if the hospital has access to an independent lactation Consultant. Whilst midwives have bf training sometimes you get differing advice. I found that the LC had all my information recorded and we were on the same page, I didn't need to go over things each time.

I saw lact consultant today and she says looking good I get 4/5 on my chart for bf

I think I just need to build up my confidence I think apart of me is just out of my comfort zone and is looking for a way back to what is comfortable for me (formula feeding) when I think of the future and still bf it makes me nervous and uncomfortable I don't know what to expect and it's an unknown thing to me

The self doubt initially is definitely a hard part of the BF journey - am I doing this right? Is she getting enough? Don't be afraid to ask for help (as you have done here already) - lots of great advice here and I hope it makes you feel more confident moving forward. Enjoy bonding with your daughter :)

Jellybean congratulations! I remember SO clearly my early days with DD and I felt just like you. It's so hard! Try to not look to the future too much, except for the awareness that this is a temporary phase for you and your tiny girl. Other than that, just take each day, each few hours even, one at a time. Make a nest for you and baby, snuggle under a blanket together whenever you can. Is this your second? I can't remember.

Congrats Jellybean on the arrival of your baby girl. Each bf'ing journey starts a little differently and TBH, I found getting bf'ing established to be far more anxiety-ridden than any other part of pregnancy and birth. DS3 was much like your bub. Wanted boob ALL the time in the first 3 days and it nearly did my head in. He was a big boy at birth, 4.5kg, so I think he just arrived hungry and was a bit impatient (ha ha) for my milk to come in.
The other gals and Barb have given you some terrific advice. Go with the flow, lots of skin to skin and cuddles, sleep whenever possible and I'm sure things will smooth out for you soon. And go easy on yourself ... it can take a little time for you and bub to get into a good bf'ing pattern.

Thanks everyone I've had a much better night , feeling more confident and only woke to feed three times so got some rest, also my milk has come in over night so I can actually see her drinking it down :) enjoying cuddles with my bubba girl now she's just so gorgeous

Congrats huni...enjoy your nb cuddles and take each minute at a time xxx

So glad to hear things are getting better. I too ff my first DD so this time around all the unknown with bf really made me question myself. I think for the first month I felt like I was feeding all the time and doing nothing else. It did get easier and looking back its hard to remember how difficult the first 4-6 weeks were. I stayed in contact with the LC and had a follow up with her a week after leaving hospital, which was great. Just reassured what I was doing was good and gave me confidence to keep going