New breastfeeding Mum with a 36 weeker

[chickpea]

Hi

Neurotic first time Mummy questions coming up! Feedback appreciated on how you think we are going.

I have a 36 week old boy who is 1 week old tomorrow. He has awesome attachment and a good suck, no problems right from the start with that.

He is feeding very frequently overnight (about every 1 hour and 45 minutes) and a feed takes about 40 minutes. He usually sucks for about 10 good minutes then falls asleep, I then usually change his nappy to stimulate him, then he will feed for 5 minutes, the I try to wake him up (usually lie him back on my knees) which can take a while and then he feeds for around another 5 minutes, then back to bed.

If I try to skip through he will just wake up again after 5 minutes wanting a feed.

So, is there anyway to make him more `efficient' so the whole feed does not take so long. Or, do I just accept that he is tiny (2.5 kg) and that his feeds will take a long time as he tires quickly?

He has two long breaks during the day of around 3 hours between feeds.

The lactation consultant suggested today that I express off the side he doesnt feed from (I was changing sides but she said to just feed from the one side each session) as he probably isnt draining each breast (they were starting to get lumpy and I seem to have an abundance of breastmilk- keep spraying him in the face).

So, I have an Avent breastpump that I used for the first time today, I am just discarding the milk at this stage. Do I need to sterilise it each time? I am worried that if I dont it may leave bacteria on my breast that he may injest. What do you think?

Thanks in advance ladies!!

[WorkingClassMum]

** bump ** :)

[Nomsie]

If you're not storing the BM, then no, don't bother yourself sterilising it through the night. I would prob give it a quick rinse under the hot water tap though, just so it doesn't go a bit yucky between feeds. I used to sterilise mine all through the night til I sat down and thought about it... :doh: What a waste of precious sleep time!

[Amphictyonis]

I think your feeding to demand is fine and its just this stage that will take so long to feed. As he gets bigger feeds will start stretching out slightly.

I would just wash in hot soapy water no issues there at all.

Well done you are doing a great job. :yelclap:

Make sure you try and sleep when he does, look after yourself with healthy food and lots of water, be sure to massage gently any small lumps in your breast to ensure you dont get mastitis and enjoy your beautiful boy. :goodvibes:

[4OnEarth1InHeaven]

My 36 weeker was 3.06kg so she wasn't as big a feeder, but my 35 weeker was 2.6kg so he was a constant feeder, yep its normal they just need it... as for your breast pump, yep sterilise it after each use, and i would store the milk if you can always good to have

[Sheer Bliss]

Was bubs under the care of a paed in hospy? Did they have an reccomendations on feeding?

My concern with a little bub feeding so frequently, yet still being so tired is that they will be using all the calories they consume to feed and wake up - so there is non left for sleeping/growing. I'd be trying re-settling in between feeds, obviously ifit just isn't working, feeding is better than lots of screaming. But the longer bubs has between feeds the more chance they have to grow. I'd keep expressing though to keep help your supply establish properly.

Do you mind me asking why you are discarding the EBM? It is worth freezing if you don't plan on using it as it's great for use in food or when bubs is older and you might want a night of full sleep. I would actually be giving it to bubs at the end of the day, using a syringe or cup if you don't want to use a bottle.

[NonnyMouse]

DD was 2.49kg at birth and fed in very short bursts just like you describe, and was always falling asleep during feeds. After the first few weeks she started improving, although she never really ended up being a "good" feeder, and her best effort was still only 10 mins per side.

[chickpea]

Charlis...no, he was reviewed by a paed, but I have been getting advice from the lactation consultant. He rarely cries (except when nude) so he isnt using up too much energy on crying. He is getting weighed today when the midwife comes so I will get to see if he is putting on weight.

Thanks guys for the advice. We had a 2 hour session of `cluster feeds' last night where he sucked for a good 10 mins each time. Then we had a three hour break (which was lovely). I didnt express overnight as he seemed to be draining the breast (or pretty close to it, it was soft and non lumpy) at the end of his 10 minutes so I would swap sides when he had his next go. So maybe I just needed to give them a good clear out yesterday?

This breastfeeding thing is so full of uncertainties!

[Mrs Nietzsche]

JUst a note - but the expressing will increase your supply further and further beyond your baby's demands.

[Iused2bewithit]

Hi Chickpea,
You are doing a fantastic job!! Everything sounds wonderful and normal :yes: :yelclap:
I was told by my midwife when DS was born to be prepared, he would feed around the clock as he was long and lean (DS was 2.9kgs and 52cms). She was right. He fed every 2 hrs around the clock for 14 wks. This made sense to me, as he had to 'fill out' his length. Is your DS long compared to his weight?
Im just thinking... could you express and give your bub a bottle for his last feed before bed? It may fill him up quicker without tiring him too much and he may sleep longer for that one cycle. In regards to the whole nipple confusion thing- everyone is different but my DS was 6 wks old before I introduced a bottle- and he never took it. I think it was just too late for him. You could try the bottle thing just until bub is bigger and can go longer in between feeds.
Congratulations on your newborn- enjoy every second because it goes way to quickly :flowerz:

[leishi]

My bub is 9 months now and still feeding at least two hourly (with a couple of four hour sleeps overnight). She was 750g when she was born and is now 6kg so I just try to feed her as often as she wants to fatten her up!! It sounds like you're doing a great job :)

[chickpea]

Thanks guys for all your support! The home visiting midwife came this morning and we talked about it and I have decided not to express and just let my supply settle down on its own.
The LCs main reason for me expressing was that i might get mastitis because it is doubtful baby is draining the breast and I could end up with fropping supply. But she reminded me that it has only been 7 days and my supply will regulate soon and mastitis so early on is rare
So, no experssing today and he ha had some really good feeds with 3 hour breaks in between, I am sure he will be a hungry boy tonight and keep me up but I know it will ease off eventually.
He os quite skinny for his lenght so does need to fatten out
thanks agains!