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Infant feeding

Nightmare evening

38 replies

Jims · 20/11/2012 22:51

So bf my 11 day old has been going well, although he's v clicky when he feeds there's no apparent obvious Tt but maybe a lip tie. But this evening i just haven't managed to let down properly and he's not sucking properly either to get things going. Have finally given him a couple of oz out of the freezer (but there are only a couple left now) and tried to express without success.

I'm so paranoid about bf having had issues with ds1 and pnd the first time. Ds2 also lost 40g between day 5-10 so i know it's important to get milk into him but we've een having loads of wet and dirty nappies and i can trll if he's had a good drink ehich he does mostly.

Any suggestions? My only thought was to just see
how it goes next feed and hope he can latch on again...
But the chances of me sleeping whilst worryingvhim are a bit slim...!

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HeffalumpsAndWoozles · 20/11/2012 22:59

Hi Jims, Have you tried skin to skin to encourage him to feed? Even getting in the bath together can be helpful. I'm sure there'll be loads of good advice on here soon but didn't want to read and run.

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Jims · 20/11/2012 23:16

He's latching on, when not frantic, but not managing to get a let down other than a couple of times when he took about 6 sucks and came off again. My boobs are getting a bit sore so that and my stress is probably not helping

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HeffalumpsAndWoozles · 20/11/2012 23:58

Stress is a bastard because it impedes the let down, which makes you stress more etc etc. I imagine that's why skin contact works because its something else stimulating the let down and encouraging LO to keep feeding.

How are things now? Have you tried different positions? Is he falling asleep?

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Doodlekitty · 21/11/2012 00:01

Lave you considered contacting la leche league for advice? My ds had feeding issues (which unfortunately resulted in us having to go back onto hospital) and a lll advisor has pretty much saved us. If you search there is a 24 hour helpline

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Jims · 21/11/2012 02:15

I woke him to feed after a couple of hours asleep and he latched on and tool a boobfull - thank goodness! Will wake him again in 3 hours if he hasn't woken himself i think.

Thanks for the Lll tip, i didn't know their helpline was 24 hours

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NervousAt20 · 21/11/2012 02:26

Hi Jim' Smile this is my first DC so not all of this is tried and tested but just advice that's been given to me, not sure if its good ect

The breast feeding women I spoke to said gave lots of skin to skin and also to take LO in the bath with me and lie her on my chest (so were both chest to chest) she said this is a position that should encourage her to search for a nipple and feed, if this takes a while then use a flannel or something to wet and out across DCs back to keep them warm

I struggle to express but the other day I was feeding DX on one side do pumped the other and hot 3oz off in 10min so I'd you wanted to pump you could maybe try that

My nipples get sore and I use lashion and that helps them heal quite quickly, have you thought about using nipple shields? I don't know anything about them but I've spoken to someone who said they helped alot when getting there LO to latch on as she could never get on enough

I'm sorry if its all useless but thought but could be witth a try x

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ElphabaTheGreen · 21/11/2012 02:40

Are you sure you're not worrying unduly about getting let-down? I know I can't feel a let-down half the time and I'm pretty sure I couldn't feel it at all in the first couple of months.

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Jims · 21/11/2012 05:38

He's definitely not swallowing which he has been doing until now. Having mjor issues latching him again now, he just pops on and off and won't stay in to suck properly Sad

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Welovecouscous · 21/11/2012 05:54

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Jims · 21/11/2012 06:08

No dummies and no bottles. I wanted to get Bf edtablisged first. He has the 2 oz last night from a syringe. I'm eondering whether he's got a posterior TT although my husband says i'm just looking for problems. But he hadn't fed properly again for 4 hours now Sad

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Welovecouscous · 21/11/2012 06:18

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Welovecouscous · 21/11/2012 06:20

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afterdinnerkiss · 21/11/2012 06:47

in this stressfull situation where you are worried but intent on bf, could you maybe manage to lie down together all day/night till you have managed a good feed. you will be more relaxed and baby will free to latch on in peace, maybe nap in between, and latch on 10min later. wearing clothes that leave your chest free. and this makes for a very happy, snug, contented cuddled baby (i hope).

if you are worried about sleeping beside him you could remove the quit, put baby in a sleeping bag and dress yourself snugly /blanet round your legs.

(hugs OP) for managing so well and being so determined.

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afterdinnerkiss · 21/11/2012 07:12

quilt and blanket

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Jims · 21/11/2012 08:11

Sleeping next to him already Smile

so this morning since trying after 5am, he's had a drink off 1 boob and i expressed off the other and gave him an oz from that. Kept 2 for next feed incase goes wrong again. Think he's still hungry as frantic but tired as latches and doesn't suck. Will let him have a little sleep. Have contacted specialist tt/bf clinic and hopefully they'll ring back soon.

I hate breastfeeding when it goes wrong but don't want to give up as it's so convenient and good for him when it goes right

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Jims · 21/11/2012 10:33

Still no joy. Had to syringe in another couple of oz but he barely woke. Am going to hospital bf clinic shortly and also have a LC consultant who may be able to see us tomorrow. Hate all this stress esp as baby v sleepy which is scaring me. On the plus side there was a v wet nappy this morning so something has gone in. How can it go from feeding fine at 4pm yesterday to this??!

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Jims · 21/11/2012 14:44

So now expressing after feeds as baby getting maybe one short let down and getting frustrated. But not getting muchbout. Is there anyone out there who's managed to come back from somethingblike this?

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Welovecouscous · 21/11/2012 14:49

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Welovecouscous · 21/11/2012 14:52

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Welovecouscous · 21/11/2012 14:55

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Welovecouscous · 21/11/2012 14:55

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AngelDog · 22/11/2012 20:03

Yes, if you suspect a lip tie (and clicking makes me suspicious), I'd get him checked for tongue tie by someone who knows what they're talking about. Lip ties almost always go with posterior tongue ties. PTT is difficult to diagnose unless by someone with plenty of experience.

Biological nurturing positions may help you, as might feeding in the bath. Lots of skin to skin may help too.

Breast compressions (google Jack Newman breast compressions) are good for getting milk into a sleepy baby, or one who's at the breast but not really swallowing.

As PP said, expressing really isn't a good indicator of supply (article here on this).

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Jims · 22/11/2012 20:15

I've been trying to feed then express as much as poss today. He had some ok feeds but not since about 4pm again when i've resorted to ebm. Going to see ann dobson in london tomorrow and see whether there's a posterior tt. Just hope it's not too late to get my milk properly moving again if it was that. My DH is concerned more about me stressing though and thinks i'm just looking for problems. I just have an instinct things aren't right though

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AngelDog · 22/11/2012 21:12

Ah, Ann Dobson is supposed to be very good. :)

Definitely not too late to be able to recover supply.

I think it's important to listen to instincts telling you something isn't right. I thought something wasn't right with DS1's feeding - thought it might be thrush, then TT, but didn't know how to get help. Bf groups, GP and (to an extent) our paediatrician made me feel like I was a paranoid mother. Now at nearly 3 y.o. he's been identified as having poor tongue movement which is causing fairly significant speech problems. I suspect it's posterior TT and we're getting it assessed next week.

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Welovecouscous · 22/11/2012 21:33

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