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hi all, I haver beeb bottlefeeding since the baby was born 4 days ago. now Im having second thoughts, not 100 percent sure but thinking. I am already engorged with milk and no nipples so no way baby can latch on. is there still hope? what is my next step if I am serious? all help is appreciated ↓
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| Name: atomic snowflake | Date: Dec 25th, 2006 6:11 PM |
No, it's not too late!
Try to express a little milk so that you're breasts soften up a little. Don't squeeze the nipple. You'll need to gently squeeze the whole of the coloured part. It takes time for the milk to 'let down' - you may get a funny feeling in your tummy when this happens. You may also get a cramping pain in your womb as well. It's the hormone Oxytocin that's released during breastfeeding which causes the womb to contract.
Try to get your baby to latch on anyway - Babies are great at suction and this may help to encourage your nipples to come out anyway. Splashing cold water onto them may also help. If you're brave then apply an ice cube.
Lie your baby across your front and place your finger and thumb around the coloured bit of your nipple - not the actual nipple though. Kind of roll the baby into your breast and place the nipple into his mouth. You may have to be a little forceful here - not rough - but make sure that he gets the whole nipple into his mouth - coloured bit as well. You'll have to show him what to do, but he should get the hang of it after a few goes. If he falls off and detaches then don't panic - just re attach him. It can take time, so don't panic.
You'll know if he's latched on okay as you'll see him beginning to drink. If he sucks his cheeks in and kind of smacks his lips then it means that he hasn't managed. You'll have to detach him and start again.
If you continue to have problems then try another position. Place your baby at the side of you with his head towards your breast and his feet towards your back. Hold him in close to you and try to get him to latch on this way. I found this postion much easier for latching on in the beginning.
Try not to panic if you can't manage it at first. It takes time, patience and practice. Try not to give him bottle feeds as this will only encourage him to take the bottle and refuse the breast. Formula milk fills babies up very quickly, whereas breastfeeding is a case of little and often in the first few weeks.
Don't worry if the baby wants to be on the breast almost constantly at first. It doesn't mean that he's not getting enough milk. Lactation takes time to establish and it's your babys way of encouraging this. ↑ |
| Name: atomic snowflake | Date: Dec 25th, 2006 6:14 PM |
If you're struggling then get your midwife to help you.
I struggled in the beginning and would feel frustrated and upset if my son couldn't latch on, but try to relax or he'll pick up on your stress. ↑ |
| Name: mom22boys | Date: Dec 26th, 2006 12:25 PM |
| Thank you so much Atomic snowflake, we are trying! I will let you know! bless you for your help. thanks for taking the time to respond.it is appreciated so much! ↑ |
| Name: atomic snowflake | Date: Dec 26th, 2006 12:30 PM |
You're welcome :-)
Are you having any success so far? Don't worry if it takes a little time. It's a skill that both you and the baby have to aquire, so it takes practise.
Let me know how you're getting along. ↑ |
| Name: atomic snowflake | Date: Dec 26th, 2006 12:40 PM |
Also, don't worry if your baby wants to suckle for most of the time. It doesn't mean that he's not getting enough milk. People often make this mistake. It's just that newborns only have very small stomachs and can only take a little at a time. If you manage to establish breastfeeding then you'll feel like a cow for the first few weeks. This is normal, so don't worry. As long as he's pooing and weeing then you know he's getting enough. Get your midwife to keep an eye on him.
Breastfed babies have yellowish poos too.
Another thing is that babies tend to need to feed during the night quite a lot. This is due to the fact that the lactation hormone, Prolactin is produced in the greatest quantities during the night - this will mean quite a few nightfeeds for the first few weeks. Try to rest up during the daytime if you can. You can learn to feed without getting out of bed - try to lie the baby next to you so that you're both facing each other. He'll soon get the hang of taking your breast in this position. Again, it takes some practise.
If you find yourself getting stressed then give him a pacifier and go and cool off, have a cup of tea or a quick shower. I used to get really hassled and overheated when I was first learning and my son used to overheat too, which led to him crying and being upset. Try to relax and enjoy the experience. Watch tv or listen to some relaxing music whilst you're doing it.
Remember that babies are born to suck - it's what they do best in the first few weeks. My son even began to suckle my nose one day when I bent down to give him a kiss!!!!!!!!! ↑ |
| Name: atomic snowflake | Date: Dec 26th, 2006 12:53 PM |
Oh, one other thing (I keep remembering stuff!) is that breastfed babies are far less likely to suffer SIDS and the breastmilk also gives them lots of your antibodies, so their immune system gets a great boost!
I didn't breastfeed my eldest son, but I did with my youngest and he's been much healthier than my eldest. He hasn't had as many colds or ear infections or stuff. He definitely benefited from being breastfed.
Even if you're only able to manage it for the first few weeks, it'll be worth it, so don't think that all your efforts are in vain. ↑ |
| Name: kellerm14 | Date: Dec 26th, 2006 5:57 PM |
| hey i want to know if you need help. ↑ |
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