Breastfeeding advice needed

Hi everyone
Im a new mom
Seamus Finn is 5 days old and was born on Tuesday 7/22 ar 9:30 am

He was 7 lbs 1 oz at brith. He went down to 6 lbs 5 oz when we left the hospital

Took him to the ped today for a weight check and he is till 6 lbs 5 oz

I am trying to breastfeed and he doesnt want any part of it

I have been supplementing him with no more than 2 2 ounce bottles a day.

Everytime I try tio feed him, he sucks once or twice, then starts freaking out and crying and thrashing about. I have tried different holds and trying to calm him down, but it wont work. I dont know what to do anymore. I am so discouraged!

The doc to not supplement him anymore. Just offer him the breast and everntually he will eat. Its just tearing me up that he is so little and not gaining any weight!!

Any help or advice would be greatly apprecaited

Re: Breastfeeding advice needed

First off he still has time to gain weight but I understand your concern
Can you see a lactation consultant? Maybe there is something physically preventing him from latching properly? Have you tried different holds? Are you pumping at all to get your supply up?

Re: Breastfeeding advice needed

Try calling La Leche League for some assistance. I know a lot of girls on here called them for help and were successful. OR you could see if you can speak with the lactation consultant from the hospital.

I know it is easier said than done, but try not to freak out. The good news is that DS didn't lose any weight since he has been home.

Most of all, know that the girls here will support you 100%. If BFing is what you want to do, we will encourage you whenever you are feeling down and out. Hang in there!!!

Re: Breastfeeding advice needed

Congratulations!! Good for you for BFing and sticking to it! I would definitely try to get in touch with a lactation consultant. I know of one in the Manhasset area (I don't know where you are located) that could see you quickly. Secondly, was his tongue checked in the hospital by an LC or doc? It is possible he is tongue tied and cannot suck properly. Nothing major, it just takes more work, he can still learn. Thirdly, do you notice that you have an exceptionally fast flow? Are you squirting milk? The flow may be too fast for him so you may want to try nursing him while leaning him over you, slowing down the flow so it's easier for him. Good luck! Feel free to FM me!

Message edited 7/26/2008 6:54:01 PM.

Re: Breastfeeding advice needed

Thanks girls
There is a lactation consultant through our insurance, so I was thinking of calling them or La Leche

The doc said not to pump yet. My milk just started to come in today so she said to try to just offer him the breast for a few days. Basically I have to tell him its the breast of nothing to see if he clues in

His tongue was checked and it was fine

Im just going to keep trying. Its hard to just see him struggling and I feel like I am not doing my part, but I know it will work out in the end

Re: Breastfeeding advice needed

First of all, congrats. If your milk is just coming in today, well, when you try to nurse again and you get full let down, he might get a nice surprise...lots of Mommymilk!

Deffo call a lactation consultant if you are still struggling tomorrow or the next day! Good luck! Stick with it, it will get better!!!

Re: Breastfeeding advice needed

My little one would not suck the first few days after he was born! I pumped and feed him that way after everytime I attemed to bf him! After about 4 or 5 days he started sucking! I say feed him pumped milk so you keep your supply! My little one was under 7lbs... its a lot of work for them to suck and with bfing the milk doesn come out right away... so it may be tiring or frustring for him... just keep trying even if its every hr. he WILL eventually get it! Its SOOOOO hard in the beginning... it gets much easier! GL!!!

Re: Breastfeeding advice needed

sounds to me like this- with the bottle u are givving him, he is used to milk and milk NOW, kwim?? with the breast, it take a while for let down- sometimes even 5 minutes, they are just getting spurts instead of full stream before let down....

get him used to your breast, try to pump for a few minutes before he latches, this way, he latches and get the milk within seconds (hopefully)...hes probly jsut frustrated that he isnt getting anything like wiht the bottle...

keep it up though!! new baby and hormones and a baby not getting milk will DEF have u in tears!!! we are all here, we have a ll been through those tears too....but stick to it, and keep him sucking on YOU, so that u can supply him with your milk...

let us know how it works....

Re: Breastfeeding advice needed

Message edited 7/26/2008 8:47:51 PM.