4 days old- too late to start breastfeeding?

[Kyrptonite]

I had planned on breastfeeding DS but was slightly nervous as I hadn't with the other two and wasn't sure what to do.

He was born on Sunday after a 2 hour labour. We were both a bit zoned out on pethidine and I decided to bottle feed him. My milk came in yesterday and I'm tempted to try breastfeeding but I don't know if its too late.

He doesn't seem to be doing too well on formula. He's being quite sick after every feed and is screaming for ages.

I don't know how to try breastfeeding him- how to position him or anything. I'm also slightly nervous about the pain. The GP said if I want to do it I have to start now before my milk dries up but I don't know how!

[bundaberg]

it's not too late at all. see if he will latch on and if so get going!
hold him facing you, bring him up to your nipple and hopefully he will open wide and latch on.

you should be able to find some good vids on youtube, i know jack newman had some for latching babies on

if he's latching ok then allow him free access. you want him to feed as much as he possibly can to help you build up a good supply :)

[TallulahBetty]

Not too late. Apparently babies can learn how to latch until 12 weeks (assuming supply still there of course).

[stargirl1701]

Nope, never too late. You need some RL help though. Can you phone one of the bf helplines? La Leche League, NCT, Assoc of Bf Mothers, etc. I used the LLL one and found them excellent. Is there a bf cafe near you? Maybe on tomorrow? You could call the hospital/unit where you have birth and ask. The midwives at a unit might be able to offer help too. Ask if there is an Infant Feeding Specialist at your local hospital and make an appt to see her.

Tonight you could search the kellymom website and google Dr Jack Newman.

Good luck OP!

[ExBrightonBell]

Oh, you can absolutely start now. You might like to take a look at the Kellymom website for advice - it has lots of good advice for breastfeeding.

As for how to do it, have a look here at the NHS advice which includes a visual as well.

I would try breastfeeding when your baby is not super hungry but also not too full. It may take a while for your supply to get going but the more you can put your baby to the breast the better.

[YippeeKiYayMakkaPakka]

Congratulations on your new baby :)

Firstly, make sure you get the position and latch right. Good advice here. Is your HV still coming to see you? They can help too (although some are more helpful than others), or you can find a BFing support drop-in near you (often easier said than done with a newborn, I know).

Do you have help to look after your other DCs? A great way to get BFing established and boost your supply is to just spend all day in bed with your baby, feeding on demand and snoozing together when you can.

[DanceLikeJohnTravoltaNow]

Congratulations on your new baby!

Agree you need some real life help if you've decided to breastfeed.

There should be an organisation that covers your area, try the midwives and they should be able to tell you who it is.

Good luck!

[Gurraun]

Definitely not too late. My baby was born with a posterior tongue tie so couldn't breastfeed. It was snipped at 12 days and he's breastfed happily ever since :-) he's now 8 weeks and 75th percentile so clearly got the hang of it. Good luck

[PaleHousewifeOfCumbriaCounty]

Ring local help immediately to get position and latch sorted. No way too late at all!

[tiktok]

Good suggestions here but your baby is only five days old so you have a midwife assigned to you - call them and ask for a visit today.

Good luck - it is absolutely not too late :)

[Christelle2207]

Congrats. You should be able to get a midwife to come and see you asap. Round here they really want to help mums bf- mine came out to see me on a Sunday and also BH Monday when I was struggling.