Breast feeding - HELP!!

[Orionsmum]

Hello

Just got home yesterday with my 6 day old baby and am struggling with breast feeding. A few questions

1) Should it hurt?
- There is a little pain initially when he latches on , but in my right breast there is a constant pain even when he's not feeding.

2) How long for?
I'm feeding semi on demand/on a schedule so around every 2.5- 3 hours. How long should I give him on each breast ? Is 25 mins okay?

3) Expressing
I keep reading that you should express as well as feeding, but what for? And when on earth do you do it if you're feeding every two hours

4) Forumla
I wanted to do one formula feed a day so my husband could feed him and give me a break. Any thoughts on this?

THanks everyone, any comments really appreaciated...

From a very sleep deprived, new mum!:sleeping:

Kate

[Uniquey]

Hi there, congrats on your new baby!
The ABA has a very comprehensive website, as well as counsellors on their phone line which should be able to answer all your questions. :)

Here's a link: http://www.bubhub.com.au/directory/listing.php?id=3567

[MimiGrace]

I'll just answer the ones i know about. But i agree with the PP - call the aba, especially regarding the pain
1800 mum 2 mum (1800 686 2 686)

2) How long for?
I'm feeding semi on demand/on a schedule so around every 2.5- 3 hours. How long should I give him on each breast ? Is 25 mins okay?
I would let him drain just one breast each time you feed him, unless he is still fussing, in which case you can try switching within the feed, but if he is satisfied after just draining the one side thats best (because he'll get more hind milk each time that way) :thumbsup:
3) Expressing
I keep reading that you should express as well as feeding, but what for? And when on earth do you do it if you're feeding every two hours
If you are able, try to express one side while he is feeding from the other side. That way you don't take up extra time, plus you're already going through the 'let down' motions so it should be easier to get it into a bottle.
4) Forumla
I wanted to do one formula feed a day so my husband could feed him and give me a break. Any thoughts on this?
Thats where the expressed breastmilk comes into it. You freeze it (it lasts for up to 3 days in the fridge, three months in the freezer), and your husband just defrosts it and gives it to the baby as a bottle.

While you're getting a break is also a perfect time to express larger quantities because it builds up (lol, my friend goes up about 3 bra sizes when she's away from the baby overnight), so just wait a few hours while your away from him and then try expressing.

other than that, i don't know much about formula at all, sorry


My answers are the bolded part, hope that helps :wave:

and congrats on the new bub!

[Orionsmum]

That's awesome thanks, I'll give them a call

[Seacretsquirrel]

Hey congrats on your new bub.
to answer your Q's
1) Should it hurt?
- There was always a little pain when my 2 first latched on - one midwife described it as a shapr toe curling pain that dissapeared pretty fast so if it is continuing I would check the attachment and also look for cracked nipples/or thrush esp if it is a radiating pain that lingers after the feed is finished.

2) How long for?
I demand fed both my two and in the beginning it was a fairly long process - I tried not to look at the clock as it would stress me out checking all the time. I fed on each side until they either let go themselves or fell asleep - as they get older the time shortens as they get more efficient at draining the breast.

3) Expressing
I believe it is to do with establishing your supply. I never really did it with that intention and never had any dramas. But that said neither of mine ever had a bottle I am a SAHM and I enjoyed the closeness and being th only one to feed my child (selfish but true for me). The only time I did express a bit was when DD was in hospital and I wasn't allowed to feed her as she was to have a GA and then when DS was a few days old I had very cracked nipples so I expressed a bit and gave it to him in a siringe that was only a couple of feeds though so not as a regular thing.

4) Formula I never gave either of mine formula so not sure about this one. But I'll add my 2 cents anyway:D I believe giving formula can effect the BF relationship as BF is a supply and demand thing. However a lot have combined the two successfully. You said it was so your DH can give bubs a feed so perhaps if you want to express a feed each day so that you DH can give EBM rather than formula if you are wanting to BF.
HTH good luck!:hugs:

[gonnabeaGR8mum]

hi there:sunshine:

first of all from what i can see you're doing everything right so far, so while its easier said then done, you should try to relax and enjoy your bubba!

1)should it hurt?
everything you read and everyone you ask probably says "no, if bub is latched on properly it shouldn't hurt" i'm telling you that my bub WAS definitely latched on properly but it still hurt at bit at the begining of each feed and took a few weeks until that stopped happening. as for the constant pain i would suggest having a look and seeing if your nipple hass been damaged at all from poor attachment or have a feel and see if you can locate a blocked duct or other such source of pain

2) how long for? i'd say 25 min each side is good, as long as bub is happy (ish) after the feed and every 2-3 hours sounds perfect- you're doing great :thumbsup:

3)Expressing will build your supply, if you're happily breastfeeding exclusiviely i wouldn't mess with your supply for a few weeks yet- unless you want to exxpress for some event or so that hubby can feed bub and give you a break

4)formula- see above, if you really want hubby to do this try expressing a bottle of breastmilk, much easier and better for bub

you're doing a really great job! as uniquey said the ABA is great and you can call them on 1800MUM2MUMum (1800MUM@MUMum) if you have any concerns or queries

[trellios]

Hello

Just got home yesterday with my 6 day old baby and am struggling with breast feeding. A few questions

1) Should it hurt?
- There is a little pain initially when he latches on , but in my right breast there is a constant pain even when he's not feeding.

2) How long for?
I'm feeding semi on demand/on a schedule so around every 2.5- 3 hours. How long should I give him on each breast ? Is 25 mins okay?

3) Expressing
I keep reading that you should express as well as feeding, but what for? And when on earth do you do it if you're feeding every two hours

4) Forumla
I wanted to do one formula feed a day so my husband could feed him and give me a break. Any thoughts on this?

THanks everyone, any comments really appreaciated...

From a very sleep deprived, new mum!:sleeping:

Kate

Hi,
I'll try on answer some of your Qs, I have been BF my bub who is now 4.5 mo, it was'nt always easy but it has all worth it. Now that I'm finding BF is extremely easy I'm going back to work, we have to bottle-fed by bub; sad :(:(:(

1) BF should not hurt, however in the early days it is normal to hurt a little when the baby initialy latch on, but the pain should not last for the whole BF session. Constant pain is not right, look carefully at your nipple, might be some crack. If so get Lansinoh cream, put in on all the time, it is safe for baby you dont have to wash it before feed.

2) Ok I am not LC but I have been doing different things including timed-feed, finish 1 side then change etc, the one that I find work most is to finish 1 side i.e let the baby take the milk for as long as he wants, then offer the second, if he doesnt take it that's ok, start with the side he doesnt take first next feed. This way, your baby wil get the fat-rich hind mild that will make them full for longer, you will find your baby will need feeds less frequent. It also prevent bloated/wind pain is foremilk has high lactose content that is notorious for causing pain.

3) same like you, i got so confused initially. My suggestion is if you are BF every 2-3 hrs, do not express coz it will make your supply go crazy i.e too much supply, milk spraying into bub's mouth resulting in them refusing the breast. The only occasions I would recommend to express when you noticed your supply is a bit low, then you could maybe once or twice a day to boost the supply; or when the supply is too much it hurts your bood then you express just a little to release the pressure.

4) It helps to have someone else to feed the baby. You could use formula or EBM(ones that you expressed when your boob hurts !: keep in freezer). If you dont have a standy milk, you can use formula. Just a reminder if you miss a feeding session; ie hubby is giving bubba botte, then you need to express during that feeding session to maintain the supply if not your milk supply will drop. For me I am finding it easier to just BF the baby coz if you get someone else to feed, you still has to express ( hurt your boob more!), might as well feed the baby directly IyKWIM! Initially it took me almost 1 hr for the whole feed, then when by baby was 2 months old it was 10 mins! baby gets very good at the breast before you know it!

hope that helps!

[ChristinaK]

I found it was really helpful to see a lactation consultant. It was nice to reasure me that I was doing it ok, and to get some tips. They should have a list of local ones, some that come to your home at your local hospital of Maternal Child health Centre.

Good Luck. It is hard in the beginning, but so worth it if you can get through those first few weeks.

[Orionsmum]

Wow this site is great :-)

Thank you all for your answers, it's actually hurting less already which is a good thing!

Sticking to the 2 -3 hour thing really works, I got 6 hours sleep last night and feel fab!!

Thanks again
Kate