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Who is breast feeding?
Hi guys
Well ive made it to two weeks breast feeding. Really struggled for first week when nipples were red raw but the last few days they have healed and breast feeding doesnt hurt at all. Half way through the first week I had a bad night as Bertie was very hungry and waking up every hour so since then the middle of the night feed has been a bottle filled with expressed milk, as soon as he has that bottle he sleeps for a good four hours which is great so most nights I only wake up once or twice.
He is feeding every two to three hours during the day but I dont mind as long as he is happy. Its annoying when he falls asleep whilst feeding and I find im doing all sorts to try to wake him up, i burp him change his bum tickle and blow him but sometimes he is so cosy he doesnt wake. He then wakes up hungry an hour later! I am worrying that he is getting hungrier so am not adverse to introducing a formula feed if this growth spurt continues as I dont want him to go hungry but will only do that as a last resort.
Im pleased I have managed to breast feed with Bertie as really couldnt do it with my first, im taking it one day at a time. Im not the type of person who would criticise someone who doesnt breast feed as I know how hard it is and how much it hurts but I like the fact that ive managed to get through the hardest part. The midwife was very happy with his weight and that made me feel great;
Day 1 - 8lb 6oz
Day 5 - 8lb 9oz
Day 10 - 9lb 1/2oz
Day 14 - weigh in tomorrow
Hows everyone else doing?
Georgie and Bertie (13days)
Well ive made it to two weeks breast feeding. Really struggled for first week when nipples were red raw but the last few days they have healed and breast feeding doesnt hurt at all. Half way through the first week I had a bad night as Bertie was very hungry and waking up every hour so since then the middle of the night feed has been a bottle filled with expressed milk, as soon as he has that bottle he sleeps for a good four hours which is great so most nights I only wake up once or twice.
He is feeding every two to three hours during the day but I dont mind as long as he is happy. Its annoying when he falls asleep whilst feeding and I find im doing all sorts to try to wake him up, i burp him change his bum tickle and blow him but sometimes he is so cosy he doesnt wake. He then wakes up hungry an hour later! I am worrying that he is getting hungrier so am not adverse to introducing a formula feed if this growth spurt continues as I dont want him to go hungry but will only do that as a last resort.
Im pleased I have managed to breast feed with Bertie as really couldnt do it with my first, im taking it one day at a time. Im not the type of person who would criticise someone who doesnt breast feed as I know how hard it is and how much it hurts but I like the fact that ive managed to get through the hardest part. The midwife was very happy with his weight and that made me feel great;
Day 1 - 8lb 6oz
Day 5 - 8lb 9oz
Day 10 - 9lb 1/2oz
Day 14 - weigh in tomorrow
Hows everyone else doing?
Georgie and Bertie (13days)
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Replies
At fist it was a struggle to get Fraser to feed as he was so sleepy and had to do a bit of hand expressing onto a tea spoon just to start him off and get him interested but now he's latching on really well and feeding like a good un. He's even got a little blister on his lip from ucking so much (which apparently is quite normal).
On day 2 when I was desperate to get him feeding he latched on wrong for one feed and I had a sore nipple for the rest of that day but since then I've been really vigilant about getting him on right and my nipples have been fine.
I'm really please I've been able to do this for him and planning to kep it up as long as possible.
xxx Helly.
I love the feeling of bonding with him, watching him sucking away either staring at me or with his eyes closed looking so content. It was only annoying when it was painful and you know he is not hungry he just wants the booby for comforting.
I just love my little man so much!
Gxx
Hes content 99% of the time and we dont seem to suffer from colic, wind or sickness so Im guessing its all good by him.
Apart from bad nights Im finding it an easy option as it seems so easy to just pop him on my breast as opposed to sterlising and making bottles up. George is my first so I havent had experience of bottle feeding but it certainly appears to be the simplier option.
Hes feeding every 2.5 hours in the day and seems to get abit hungrier before bed time but last night he must have tanked himself up and slept from 11 to 4 and then 5 til 8:30 so Im not complaining today!!
Well done to us all girls.
C xx
[Modified by: claireclaired on August 21, 2009 02:28 PM]
Ooof sorry that went on a bit longer than I meant!
I cant believe how it doesnt hurt me to bf now, when I was in such paina week ago and was really down hearted about it all.
Bertie got weighed today and he is now 9lbs and 9oz which means he has put on 9oz since Monday. The health visitor said I must have cream instead of milk, she was really pleased and knowing he is putting on weight makes me really happy too. He has been a bit grizzly after his four hour sleep in he night and I havent been able to get him to settle between 4/5 and when Luke gets up for work at 7, he must be very hungry which I put down to a growth spurt.
Keep up the good work and well done to all us BF's
Gx
Then I got nipple shields and we used those for a couple of days (which worked but was sooo painful and really messy too- think milk running down your tummy and side when the baby moves away- not good if you are out and about) and we were ending up sitting there for two hours at a time. I ended up getting very upset, and Haiden seemed unhappy too, so I went back to bottles. We are far happier now. It is a shame but at least I can say I tried!! x
Jo xxxxx
I'm also really worried about getting out and about. I'm such a prude with my body anyway. I can't seem to find a way to feed discreetly yet, and I don't fancy showing off my swollen leaky boobs to every Tom, Dick and Harry! Fingers crossed things will improve over the next couple of weeks.
Cat xxx
I am really glad that I am feeding, I was poorly after I gave birth so it was a good couple of hours before I could cuddle and feed her, was so pleased that she latched on immediately like a pro!! We were kept in hospital for the 1st week, if it wasnt for the excellent midwifes I wouldnt of been able to feed her, for a few days I was bedridden and they would bring Ruby to me and help latch her on, wind her and settle her back down, they were amazing support!! I also used all their knowledge to my advantage and left hospital feeling happy and confident in feeding her.
After all the hurdles we have overcome I am determined to continue feeding her, she is gaining lots of weight now as well!!
Lisa & Ruby 18 days old xx
This lunch time at about 2pm he had been grisly since 5am this morning and not settling at all so I made him a Dr Brown bottle with some aptamil ready made formula in in. It was amazing he drank the whole bottle without taking a breath and then slept soundly until about 5.30 which was 3 1/5 hours and he was not windy or sick once, he was really content. Im not going to introduce formula full time but I think I am going to give him a formula feed in the night from now on to ensure he has a comfortable time. I really think the Dr Brown bottle helped too so I am going to use them for my expressed milk too.
Mummy Cat - dont worry about getting out and about, your breasts are usually fullest in the morning so after Bertie has had his morning feed I finish off by expressing the milk that is left in both breasts and then I can use that milk in a bottle that I take out with me for his lunch time feed. This means that i dont need to expose myself in public. Some people dont agree with expressing milk in the first month as the baby is supposed to let your body know hoe much milk to produce but my midwife and health visitor both agree that it is whatever is best for the individual.
Gxx
Ive been using biofemme cold compresses in my bra to help heal my nipples and they are fantastic.
As for keeping babies awake during a feed, a midwife in my hospital told me to use a wet piece of cotton wool and just gently run it on babies cheek to wake them up.
Lisa xxx
I am trying to stop him at the min but it seems a bit cruel to just cut him off just because Esme has arrived so i am going to wean him off gently.
Not sure if i will suffer with the sore nipples this time as i would have thought my skin will already be tough to it but will have to see. Newborns have a much stronger suckle than older babies lol.
I have been lucky with feeding my babies but it is because i have persivered to beigin with. I think its well worth the hard work at the begining and i can't imagine getting up in the night to make up bottles or spend time having to sterilise all the gear
xxx Sarah xxx
I had a really rough weekend and Bertie was not a happy bunny. The breast milk was making him sick but it turns out that it was because the breast milk is thiner than formula and he has reflux and the muscle that stops the food from coming out of the stomach has some developing to do, its very common. The doctor has now prescribed gaviscon and I am giving him formula full time and he is so much more content. with the breast milk there was a cycle of feeding, crying and puking and then he would be hungry again. He is so much happier.
I would have liked to continue breast feeding but Bertie being happy and content is the most important thing.
Gxx
Lisa xxx
Joking aside, Sophie is now doing pretty well and feeding every 4hours after a rocky start due to lots of yucky mucus in her tum.
Good luck with whatever you decide to do
Gxx
As Alfie was born by section my milk didn't come in until a good few days later and so we started on formula feeding.
I did try BF-ing but really struggled and Alfie was frantic and so upset which then upset me so decided to stay with formula feeding with which he is happy. I do feel a little guilty as if I have let him down but as long as he is happy and gaining weight then I'm not going to beat myself up about it. We have a good routine and he only wakes twice in the night for a feed. I know exactly how much milk he is having and how often and so I feel better knowing this.
Shell & Alfie xx