Breastfeeds at night

**Jess988** · 30-03-2010 17:02

Hi, my bub is just over 4 weeks old now. He was in specail care nursery till 3.5 weeks. Anyway Im having trouble breastfeeding at night time. I find it very hard waking up. His also having trouble latching on and when he does he pull away and we have to start all over again. He is also very fussy about wat side he goes on, because if it's the right side his will latch and stay on fine.

I'm getting ver frustrated and cranky. This is the 5th night of breastfeeding.

I need some tips, support anything to help me get through

**Sheer Bliss** · 30-03-2010 19:27

try and relax as much as you can - that will help the most.

Are you having to wake bubs or has he started to demand? We used to have to wake our twins until about 4weeks. If you are waking bubs - set your alarm 5-10mins before the feed and have a nice cold drink and wash your face to help yourself wake up.

As for attachment - it WILL get easier, just give it a bit more time. Maybe your flow is a little too fast for him, and that is why he is pulling away - try feeding reclined back a bit or laying down to slow the flow of your milk.

Do you use the regular style of feeding (baby accross lap) or the twins style feeding (baby under your arm)? With my single babies, I always started with twin style feeding as it seems much easier to get them attached and stay attached when they are teeny tiny.

If he still fusses with a particular side - it is worth a visit to a chiro (find one that is qualified and used to kids/babies). Birth is traumatic for a babies body and if they have a 'sore neck' from being mis-aligned it can make certain positions uncomfortable - hence not liking laying on one side.

HTH - Good luck!

**soexcited** · 30-03-2010 19:43

For about 3 weeks DS always preferred one side over the other. I would just always start him on the side he didn't like, try to get him to latch one and if he didn't put him on his favourite side. Then when he was finished there back on to the side he didn't like. If he didn't want to take it I would express and freeze the milk to help keep the supply up.

Eventually he just grew out of it and didn't care which side it was as long as the milk was flowing!!

**Jess988** · 30-03-2010 20:53

Thanks for all ur advice. Will take it all on board.I'm trying to demand feed but his still a sleepy baby so I have to wake him up.

I feed him under my arm and sometimes across my belly. Wat ever work at the time.

**c38** · 30-03-2010 20:56

If you're tird in the middle of the night, try the side he dislikes first but if he wont go on don't worry, as long as he feeds off it regularly during the day it will be fine.
DS always prefered the left side (possibly because Id had surgery on my right and the flow probaby wasn't great) and since about 2mths would only fed off the left. He's 20mths and still going off that one side.
The first 6-8 weeks are the worst, then they seem to have a growth spurt and their chin lengthens and they can suddenly pop on with no probs. Hang in there, You are doing a fantastic job to have persisted all this time with them having been in hospital all those weeks.

**SPC** · 30-03-2010 21:08

I used nipple shields at night for about 6 weeks, as latching on was a trial and it was easier than faffing about. There are pros and cons to it, but it's something to consider.

**Jess988** · 31-03-2010 06:46

I took the easy way out!! I have heaps of frozen ebm at home. I had to express while he was in hosp so he had my milk and not formula.

So last night I gave him a bottle of ebm, at 3am. It worked great. He didn't wake up. Then at 6am he woke up and I gave him the breast.

**BabyPaparazzi** · 31-03-2010 10:02

Congrats on bubs. You have already been given some great advice so I wont blab on, hang in there, it definetly gets easier and well worth it in the long run. It does sound like normal learning behaviour. Just remember to express to replace what he has taken from your store so it wont affect your supply.

**bondbaby** · 31-03-2010 12:37

I agree with Charlis_Mum. Might be worth a visit to the baby Chiro. One of my friends who had vaginal births found that her bubs shoulder had dislocated coming through the canal. He favoured one side for breastfeeding too. Also, with regards to latching on, your bubs will get the hang of it. It takes time so be patient and it will all work out. I had a lot of difficulties as well and suffered really sore nipples. I felt like giving up but once i saw the lactation lady, my world changed. She showed me how to latch bubs on and away we were. Was great.
As for feeling tired, i dont blame you. I used to fall asleep as well. Your body will adjust i promise. Good luck!

**Bubmum** · 31-03-2010 12:47

Originally Posted by Jess988

I took the easy way out!! I have heaps of frozen ebm at home. I had to express while he was in hosp so he had my milk and not formula.

So last night I gave him a bottle of ebm, at 3am. It worked great. He didn't wake up. Then at 6am he woke up and I gave him the breast.

That isn't the easy way out...that is finding a clever solution, something that works for both you an dyour baby.
One side preference is so common, and others have said, keep offering that breast. DD changed favourite sides every now and then.
Congratulations to persevering with such a difficult start. You are doing an amazing thing for your baby!