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Ryan Gregory is here and a question

Nicki2482Nicki2482 member
in May 2012 Moms

My son was born on Tuesday!  I'll post a more detailed birth story in a few days, but I will say that I was induced starting with cervidil on Monday night, was in labor by Tuesday morning (before being given pitocin) and had my little by in my arms by 3:15 after 3 hours of pushing!  It was not an easy labor but in the end I got the most amazing son and I'm over the moon!

Right now, though, I'm hoping for some advice.  I posted about this on the breastfeeding board but I thought some of you might have had similar experiences and could offer advice.

Ryan took to breastfeeding like a champ in the first few days - latched right on and was having 30-40 minute feedings (about 15-20 on each breast) and he's been very alert since day 1 though I know this is certainly not the "norm" for newborns.  Yesterday he seemed insatiable and was feeding A LOT and was very fussy but still very alert.  My husband and I kinda figured maybe he was ready for milk and wasn't being satisfied from whatever my breasts were providing....When my milk came in today he seemed much, much happier but at the same time he has been much more tired than I have ever seen him.  He wakes up hungry and then is asleep after maybe 10 minutes on one breast.   Try as I might, I can't wake him up enough to latch back on and keep feeding.  He's feeding every two hours or so but only for 10 minutes on one breast.

Everything I'm reading is telling me that I should be making sure to get 10 minutes on each breast to help my supply come in.  The pediatrician at the hospital also told me to call if he seemed too lethargic to eat - he's not too lethargic to BEGIN eating but he's not getting good sessions, so I'm not sure if I should be concerned.  I think I was spoiled by having such an alert baby, I'm just freaking out a little now that he's so tired since he wasn't like that a day or two ago.  Should I be worried?  Or is this what other people have experienced as well?

Any thoughts or advice would be welcomed!  
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Re: Ryan Gregory is here and a question

  • MrsL1022MrsL1022 member
    I am a lurker from June but thought maybe I could give you some ideas. My DS did this at first. I found that if I undressed him to eat so he wasn't as 'cozy' I could keep him awake and feeding longer. I also used to tickle his feet and just generally annoy him enough to stay awake to feed. He would be so exhausted by the time he was done eating he'd conk out but by doing that I could keep him up much longer to feed. Try that before you get too worried it could be that prior to your milk coming in he was more alert b/c there wasn't a consistent flow and he was getting a smaller amount. HTH! 
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  • bellelambbellelamb member

    It sounds like you are blessed to have an efficient nurser, once you have milk they don't need to eat as long as with just colostrum. As far as eating 10 mins on each side that's an old fashion idea, it's better to let them eat on one side until they are done so they get the correct foremilk hind milk balance then burp and offer the other side IF they want it. My kids have only ever taken one side per feeding and I have a healthy 19 month old bf until a year and a three week old who was born at 8lbs 3oz and is 9lbs 4oz now so I know he's eating well.

    Try kellymom.com it has some great up to date pro breast feeding advice. 

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  • FyreFlyeRushFyreFlyeRush member
    Henry does this, too. Just continue to nurse on demand, and alternate sides. I promise, it comes in just fine. 10 minutes is fine at this point. Remember, it's the difference between drinking a glass of water and a glass of warm milk. It fills their little bellies and makes them super comfy. 
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  • stemms8810stemms8810 member

    First, congrats on your baby!

    To answer your question about BF'ing.  My LO is always sleepy at the breast and sometimes will only take one side at a time and completely fall asleep.  The only way I can get him to wake up to try to take the other side is to change his diaper or undress him.  Even at that, sometimes he won't open his mouth to the other breast.  At this stage it is normal to have a sleepy baby.  My LO wakes up anywhere from 1-3 hrs from his last feeding to eat again which is also normal for BF'd babies as BM is more easily digested.

    It wouldn't hurt to put a call in to the pedi just to make sure but I think it's normal newborn behavior.

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  • Nicki2482Nicki2482 member
    Thanks for all your advice everyone!  I had a feeling I was just being nervous and that things are fine, but as I'm sure you all know, your mind starts to worry when they are so little!  Big Smile
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  • winter-shockwinter-shock member
    Both my daughters did the same.  And both never did more than one side at a time at each feeding. DD2 feeds every 2 hours during the day on one side for about 10 minutes, sometimes more.  At night she goes anywhere from 3.5-5 hours of sleep and still only nurses one side. She is gaining well within what she should be.  
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