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blue_angeleyes06

Hello all,

I'm new to this board, just had my little girl a little over 2 weeks ago.  I'm just having some issues with breastfeeding her.  Right now I'm EBF her and she seems to do well while feeding, but it seems like sometimes all I do is feed her.  Just wondeirng if this is normal?  I'm not sure if she is just not latching on correctly or what.  Sometimes she eats every hour and sometimes she goes for longer streches, this is usually just while she is sleeping.  Seems like anytime she is awake she wants to eat.  Also, I've been trying to pump a little here and there just have a little bit of a supply built up for some occasions when we need it but I can't hardly get anything.  I'm just concerned that maybe my milk is drying up or I have clogged ducts.  I don't know how to tell any of this, I'm a FTM.  Hopefully I'm just overanalyzing things, but I would appreciate any insight.

TIA

Birdies08

Totally normal! You will feel like all you're doing is nursing for the next few weeks And don't worry if you can't pump much yet, it will come in time.

If something were wrong, you would know. I know it's hard not to worry! Clogged ducts hurt, so does a bad latch. You'll know LO is getting enough by how she grows and how many wet/dirty diapers she has. I know it's hard. You'll feel like you're starving her, because you can't see how much she eats, but then you'll be changing diapers every couple of hours and she'll start to grow out of her clothes, and you'll know you're doing fine.

Keep nursing that baby! You're doing great work. 

julieb00lie

If she is back to or has surpassed her birthweight and she has plenty of wet and poopy diapers, then your supply should be fine. In the early weeks, newborns like to nurse all the time. Not only is breastmilk quickly and easily digested, but they also like the comfort of nursing. DS is 1 month old and it seems like he still nurses all the time. Sometime we only go 1 hour and 45 min between sessions. I'm not worried about my supply because he is a pooping machine and is turning into a butterball.

katcarls

Frequent feeding is normal for newborns, it doesn't mean that there's anything wrong with your supply.  As long as she's gaining weight and having plenty of wet and poopy diapers, you're doing fine.  Try to be more confident and not second guess yourself.  As long as you're nursing on demand and not supplementing, it's unlikely that your milk is drying up.  You would also know if you had a clogged duct.  You can feel the lump and it gets swollen and painful. 

Don't worry about pumping amounts either, it doesn't indicate anything about your supply.  It's still pretty early and your body is making milk based on your baby's demand.  Anything you can pump right now is just extra milk.  If you want to build up a little supply, try pumping after your first morning feeding.  That's when you can usually get the most.  It won't be much at first, but don't worry.  Your body will eventually respond to the increased demand and produce more.

Definitely check out kellymom.com.  There is a lot of great BF info there.

PunkyBooster

Completely normal. DS was attached to my nipples 24/7 for the first 4 months of his life.

 

blue_angeleyes06

Thank you ladies.  I guess I am just worried for nothing.  She is past her birthweight, it's just hard to know sometimes if you are doing things right.  Not many women I know have breastfed, so getting advice from those who have done it is difficult. I really appreciate everything you all said!