My first BF question...coming live to you from the hospital :)

well let me preface my question with my utter and complete disappointment in my experience here at the hospital. I am getting NO support and im basically figuring this out on my own using the LITTLE bit i was given here. Thankfully my cousins wife is VERY knowledgeable in this dept and is coming tonite to help me.
Until then....my questions:

I tried BFing for the 1st time yesterday. I fed him around 10am, 1sh, and 5ish. Some were more successful than others. I got REALLY overwhelmed (from BF and other things) and i asked DH to take Will to nursery for the night feedings (he was given formula the whole first nite bc he was in NICU and i was in a bad recovery state).

I asked to have him back for the 5am feeding. So they fed him formual at 9pm and 1am. I Bfed him 5am and 9am feedings.
I asked if he had any dirty diapers and they said a pee after the 9pm and a poop after the 1am. SInce then I have done the feedings and he is DRY.

So.... did my 5am and 9am feedings even amount to anything? I have NO idea if baby is getting any food.
Hes fast asleep right now.... god i love him

Re: My first BF question...coming live to you from the hospital :)

Right now he is just getting colostrum from you when you BF, so his diapers should be more poop than pee. When your milk comes in, you'll see a lot more pee. Don't worry, he's not starving. Babies do not need to eat that much when they are first born. But the supplementing at night is good so you can get your sleep, as long as that's something you are comfortable with

Re: My first BF question...coming live to you from the hospital :)

First off, congrats!!

Secondly, is your milk even in? If not, he's just getting colostrum which is def. what he needs now and putting him to the breast is telling your body to produce milk, but no - he might not be getting much.

I'm not a big expert on nursing in the hospital - both my kids were given formula feedings in the hospital due to low sugar levels and Ryan was in the NICU too - but I will tell you Ryan never had formula again - and was nursed for 14 months and clearly was well fed - I never worried he wasn't getting what he needed after I left the hospital. Honestly, IMO, I would keep putting him to the breast, but try not to stress over what he's getting these initial days - he really doesn't need anything (which is why our body doesn't actually make milk for a few days).

Personal decision, but if you're exhausted from the delivery - enjoy your rest there and let the nursery FF overnight. Once you get home - he'll be at your boob every 2-3 hrs

Message edited 11/20/2009 11:20:58 AM.

Re: My first BF question...coming live to you from the hospital :)

Posted by headoverheels

Right now he is just getting colostrum from you when you BF, so his diapers should be more poop than pee. When your milk comes in, you'll see a lot more pee. Don't worry, he's not starving. Babies do not need to eat that much when they are first born. But the supplementing at night is good so you can get your sleep, as long as that's something you are comfortable with

Re: My first BF question...coming live to you from the hospital :)

Yes, he is just getting colostrum right now and I remember wondering the same at that point. Monitor his dirty diapers like you are doing, that is the true teller of whether or not he is getting enough. At this point I believe it should be atleast one or two dirty diapers a day. Ask them for a chart, they should have one. Also, why don;t you request a lactation consultant?? I did a few times when I was unsure and it was helpful and just reassuring overall. Also, you will know when your milk comes in because your breast will become very full and hard. Also, give it a little more time to for him to poop after your last feeding.

What hospital are you at anyway?

Good luck and keep the questions coming

Re: My first BF question...coming live to you from the hospital :)

Posted by SweetCaroline

First off, congrats!!

Secondly, is your milk even in? If not, he's just getting colostrum which is def. what he needs now and putting him to the breast is telling your body to produce milk, but no - he might not be getting much.

I'm not a big expert on nursing in the hospital - both my kids were given formula feedings in the hospital due to low sugar levels and Ryan was in the NICU too - but I will tell you Ryan never had formula again - and was nursed for 14 months and clearly was well fed - I never worried he wasn't getting what he needed after I left the hospital. Honestly, IMO, I would keep putting him to the breast, but try not to stress over what he's getting these initial days - he really doesn't need anything (which is why our body doesn't actually make milk for a few days).

Personal decision, but if you're exhausted from the delivery - enjoy your rest there and let the nursery FF overnight. Once you get home - he'll be at your boob every 2-3 hrs

Re: My first BF question...coming live to you from the hospital :)

Posted by MrsNicolaxoxo

Yes, he is just getting colostrum right now and I remember wondering the same at that point. Monitor his dirty diapers like you are doing, that is the true teller of whether or not he is getting enough. At this point I believe it should be atleast one or two dirty diapers a day. Ask them for a chart, they should have one. Also, why don;t you request a lactation consultant?? I did a few times when I was unsure and it was helpful and just reassuring overall. Also, you will know when your milk comes in because your breast will become very full and hard. Also, give it a little more time to for him to poop after your last feeding.

What hospital are you at anyway?

Good luck and keep the questions coming

Re: My first BF question...coming live to you from the hospital :)

Don't have much time to post but first off... Congrats!

Briefly... hang in there and keep at it. Babies will NOT starve! Just keep at it whatever you can do as much as you can do.

A quick personal story... DS and I had our rocky start but I did my best. I even would just hold him and while he slept, I'd express a drop and touch it to his lips and it'd seep in. I felt it was something.

Get that colostrum in him! Any way you can! It will all get much easier and better!

Message edited 11/20/2009 11:26:32 AM.

Re: My first BF question...coming live to you from the hospital :)

Congrats!

I think your baby is doing just fine.

I must be honest, I never even thought to ask while I was in the hosptial nursing about the diapers. I fed her round the clock after that first day including the 1am feeding. I figured I wouldnt get sleep at home anyhow hahaha. I even had my cell phone alarm on so Id be up before they walked in so they wouldnt just pass me by.

I too had little to NO help at all with BF. Thankfully AJ ended up teaching me! hahaha.

I do know they weighed her constantly, kept track of diapers, etc. Only once did the walk in and ask if I was feeding her enough and if not they told me to give her RTF they provide as supplement. I did it a few times and she took like an ounce or half ounce.

Good Luck! Enjoy these moments. Its so nice to able to pass them off for a little while even if you wish you could hold them forever!

Oh.. just reading your post makes me sentimental to those first few days.. oh how I miss them.. and her 'sweet smelling' poop!

Re: My first BF question...coming live to you from the hospital :)

keep putting him to your breast!!!!

and if they have an LC ask for a visit.

my hospital didn't have one and my nursing relationship suffered b/c of it. I wasn't sure if we had a good latch, and he was constantly asleep at my breast so I wasn't sure what to do.

as long as he poops that tar looking stuff out, all is well.

but be good to yourself. After being awake 30 plus hours between delivery, recovery, visitors etc, I was a nervous wreck and an emotional disaster.

top that off with someone telling me the night we got home from the hospital that my son was "starving" and I ran to the free formula they gave me.

I didn't nurse at all for a day after that b/c I was a mess and so scared and my nipples had basically been gnawed off b/c our latch wasn't great...combined with edema from the constant drip of the IV and a loss of too much blood and yeah...I am still supplementing.

perhaps I wouldn't be had I taken better care of myself in the hospital. and after.

get all the help you can.

the LC at my hospital had been axed with budget cuts and I didn't know. my ped is an LC...but by that time I'd already started formula and my supply was already compromised.

I wish far greater success for you!!!!!!

Re: My first BF question...coming live to you from the hospital :)

First of all CONGRATS!



I also delivered at LIJ but DD was in the NICU so the LC's I dealt with were from the NICU. I am not sure if the LC's are the same but I found them very informative, helpful and available any time of the day. If at all possible, I suggest you venture back to the NICU to see if any of the NICU LC's are around and chat with them. They were willing to help in so many ways. HTH.

Re: My first BF question...coming live to you from the hospital :)

Congrats!!!!

DD was FF in the hospital so I could sleep. I didn't start BFing until the day after I got home. I tried in the hospital, but with little success. It was hard at first because the formula fills their little tummies and then there isn't enough BM when they BF. Just keep trying to BF during the day and if you need to supplement. When you get home, you get go full force with the BFing. Get your sleep now. It's important.

Good luck!

Re: My first BF question...coming live to you from the hospital :)

First thing...as much as it stinks exhaustion wise keep that baby with you. Lots of skin to skin, lots of nursing. That will really help both you and baby.
He is getting colostrum from you right now and that is the best thing for him. Your milk should come in soon.

Hang in there. I am glad you have someone coming to give you support. Ask away here. There are lots of great resources. I had issues with both my kids and spent ALOT of time with LC's so FM me if you need help with anything.
I think the best thing you can do for yourself is make sure he has a good latch so you avoid getting too sore. Make sure he is not just taking in your nipple...he needs to have a wide open mouth and areola in. You want his face kind of pushed into your breast not haning back...that will hurt your nipples in the end. Use lansinoh now so you don't get dry cracked nipples.
Hang in there.

Re: My first BF question...coming live to you from the hospital :)

Oh and another piece of advice...feed on demand at this point. Don't watch the clock and try to schedule.

Re: My first BF question...coming live to you from the hospital :)

DS was a NICU baby (born with a fever) and was FF in the NICU. It's great that your DS latches! Mine never did so I ended up pumping for him. It's okay if your DS is dry for some of his diapers.

Info from KellyMom.Com (great BFing resource):

Dirty diapers: In the early days, baby typically has one dirty diaper for each day of life (1 on day one, 2 on day two...). After day 4, stools should be yellow and baby should have at least 3-4 stools daily that are the size of a US quarter (2.5 cm) or larger. Some babies stool every time they nurse, or even more often--this is normal, too. The normal stool of a breastfed baby is loose (soft to runny) and may be seedy or curdy.

Wet diapers: In the early days, baby typically has one wet diaper for each day of life (1 on day one, 2 on day two...). Once mom's milk comes in, expect 5-6+ wet diapers every 24 hours. To feel what a sufficiently wet diaper is like, pour 3 tablespoons (45 mL) of water into a clean diaper. A piece of tissue in a disposable diaper will help you determine if the diaper is wet.

Message edited 11/20/2009 12:14:10 PM.

Re: My first BF question...coming live to you from the hospital :)

As the other posters have said, all he's getting right now is colostrum which is all he needs. I always get frustrated (i don't know if that's the right word) at nurses and other people when you choose to BF and they suggest that the baby might not be getting enough in the those first couple of days. Their stomachs are soooo tiny and they really don't need much at all until your milk comes in, he's going to be fine on colostrum. If you want to supplement to get sleep that's fine, but try to put him on the breast every 2-3 hours as BFing works on supply and demand, the more he's on there, the more milk you'll produce.

Hang in there, BFing is very tough in the beginning but very worth it in the end.

Re: My first BF question...coming live to you from the hospital :)

Are you at St Cats??? I had the same horrible experience there!!!!

Re: My first BF question...coming live to you from the hospital :)

Posted by conigs25

Posted by headoverheels

Right now he is just getting colostrum from you when you BF, so his diapers should be more poop than pee. When your milk comes in, you'll see a lot more pee. Don't worry, he's not starving. Babies do not need to eat that much when they are first born. But the supplementing at night is good so you can get your sleep, as long as that's something you are comfortable with

Thanks!! Yes i am confy w. that bc as you said, my sleep is SO important. Esp trying to recover from the surgery. And that way he is def getting food and is used to a bottle. When i go home, i want to EBF and start pumping by 3-4 wks s i can bottle feed some feedings

Re: My first BF question...coming live to you from the hospital :)

First off Congrats I am sorry you are not having a good experience at LIJ I was in NSUH and have nothing but good things to say about the way I was treated there. I didnt BF in hospital I had to pump when I could bc I had the 3 babies but the LC at NSUH was very helpful. If you dont get result ask to speak to nurse manager and she should be able to help you out . Best of luck with everything and again CONGRATS!!!!

Re: My first BF question...coming live to you from the hospital :)

Everyone else pretty much answered, but the main thing is to keep putting him to your breast. I never looked at the clock when she was first born, whenever she fussed i'd put her to the breast and she'd suck away. He will be getting colostrum and even though it doesn't seem like he's getting anything, he is!

His belly is so tiny right now that the little colostrum he does get is enough!

Message edited 11/20/2009 1:32:41 PM.

Re: My first BF question...coming live to you from the hospital :)

Michele I would ask the nurses in the nursery if they know about cup feeding. This is what they did for Luca when I was in the hospital. Feeding them from the cup (like a little medicine cup) helps them make the mouth motions similar to when they BF - picture a cat lapping milk from a saucer. This will help prevent nipple confusion, which does not affect all babies, but some.

Re: My first BF question...coming live to you from the hospital :)

Posted by conigs25

Posted by MrsNicolaxoxo

Yes, he is just getting colostrum right now and I remember wondering the same at that point. Monitor his dirty diapers like you are doing, that is the true teller of whether or not he is getting enough. At this point I believe it should be atleast one or two dirty diapers a day. Ask them for a chart, they should have one. Also, why don;t you request a lactation consultant?? I did a few times when I was unsure and it was helpful and just reassuring overall. Also, you will know when your milk comes in because your breast will become very full and hard. Also, give it a little more time to for him to poop after your last feeding.

What hospital are you at anyway?

Good luck and keep the questions coming

Im at LIJ. Not happy w/ the overall experience here AT ALL. The nurse aides are better about checking my vitals and my wound etc then nurses are w/ checking that im CARING for my child correctly. I thought that was something they did but i could be wrong.
Ive asked many nurses (who are also cert LCs) to help and ive asked the LC on call here. NO one seemed like they actually cared to help.

Re: My first BF question...coming live to you from the hospital :)

Re: My first BF question...coming live to you from the hospital :)

I agree with PP...at this point, feed on demand so that your milk comes in nice and quickly. Heis given formula while you recover (which I think its great) so he is full believe me...but when you feel up to par, stick in that boob and build up that supply! I think you're getting the hang of it already though!

Re: My first BF question...coming live to you from the hospital :)

CongratS!!

I am surprised an LC hasn't talked to you. When I gave birth the LC didn't come for almost a whole day but when she did she gave me a chart to monitor feedings and diapers.

The nurses were actually VERY strict with me and explained how I had to wake DS up for his feedings every 2-3 hrs. I thought they were rude and they kept asking if I wanted to give him formula. By then end of my stay they said he was well hydrated and they were happy with my progress. My milk didn't come in until after I was home!

Keep him on your breast! This is good for him and for you to stimulate your production. USE LANOLIN!! You don't want to get cracked. I am gonna look for a chart that might be helpful.

ETA:
Breast Feeding Log

Message edited 11/20/2009 4:08:36 PM.