Hello, I am a BF newb

Irisheyes1247 · February 2012

So, I have been BFing Amelia and so far it has gone exponentially better than my attempt to BF Charlotte (truthfully, since she became dehydrated and required an extra day's stay at the hospital, I'm pretty sure it couldn't have possibly gone worse but whatevs).

With C, I had some supply issues - never really got "engorged", breast size didn't really change during or after pregnancy, was able to wean completely from pumping 6x a day in a matter of 3-4 days total. This caused the LC at the hospital to be concerned about my supply this time. So basically the routine has been to nurse as long as I can stand it, and then follow up with formula if A is still looking for more. Generally during the day, this is not an issue - it takes a while to feed her usually (an hour or so, sometimes she does cluster feed) but no biggie. However, usually the last feed before bed, she will nurse and nurse and nurse and still not be satisfied. I usually make it about 1.5-2 hours before I am falling asleep and am feeling sore and raw and just done. Last night she went for almost 2 hours, and then DH gave her a bottle of formula - she had the whole 2 oz bottle and about 1/2 an oz of another bottle.

Am I making my potential supply issues worse by not sticking it out for the hours and hours? I know you are supposed to just keep feeding but she clearly is not getting anything, and is working up a hunger. Am I supposed to just let her keep gnawing away until she tires herself out?

MelissaSue81 · February 2012

While yes, in theory, the more you nurse, the more milk you make, I think there really is a limit to how long is really helpful, and making yourself sore and raw isn't helping anyone. I think once you've nursed for 30min/side.. you can probably safely assume she has gotten all she is going to get for that feeding. Everyone is gonna tell you something different. I remember with eve, my head was spinning with the hospital LC's telling me one thing, our pedi telling me another, and my own LC telling me another. (and the bumpies chiming in too!). You kinda gotta trust your gut, and you know your baby, and this also isn't your first time around, so you know that supplementing isn't the end of the world.

That being said, i don't know if a 2 week old baby really NEEDS more than 2oz/feeding.. I think that if you are going to supplement with formula, you should limit it.. because if she is used to getting SO much from a bottle, she won't be as easily satisfied at the breast, you know?

jnk062602 · February 2012

I agree with Melissa. One thing to add - day 10 is a big growth spurt day. Good news is that the next one isn't until 3 weeks and then after that 6 weeks and 12 weeks. It's something you can look forward to (ya right, more like dread!) but it also will explain the long nursing sessions and them acting famished.

Irisheyes1247 · February 2012

Thanks ladies! That makes sense. I'm starting to dread putting her on less, so that is an improvement, no?

June4bride2be · February 2012

It does get better! A baby can drain a breast in 10-20 min in the early days, and get super efficient as the get bigger cutting it down to 5-10 min per breast. I doubt you have milk for an hour of sucking, she is likely using use as a pacifier. This is your call, but I would nip that in the butt. I wouldn't offer more than 2 oz of formula per feed right now, a bottle is so easy to drink from often making them lazy nursers. It takes a lot of work to nurse on their part too. I would check with a LC if you have one to call or check in with to make sure she has a proper latch. A bad latch can cause a lot of pain for you and less milk coming out for her.

Your doing great!

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