June 2012 Moms

Less than a week old and already having problems

Our little one was born on June 28.  She nursed really well the first day and had three messy diapers.  The second day she was a little fussy, one messy diaper.  The third day, she barely nursed, no messy diapers.  The fourth day, when my milk came in, she refused to nurse at all, and I pumped and spoon fed her.  She still hadn't had a messy diaper.

When I'd try to nurse her, she'd violently shake her head from side to side.  She wouldn't even try to latch.  She'd scream until she was absolutely hoarse and raspy. Nothing satisfied her, not even the pacifier.  I just bawled because I was engorged and I couldn't feed or soothe my baby.  I couldn't help her at all.  I knew I had milk, but when I held her up, she'd just scream at the breast.

We ended up taking her to the pediatrician.  It turns out she was severely dehydrated (shocker).  We spoon fed her a whole ounce of breast milk (which felt like a ton for such a little girl).  Within the hour, she had a huge blowout of a diaper, and she's had two more since.  She's been demanding to nurse every two hours now.

I figured I'd tell my story so that if anyone else was in my place, they might get some relief.

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Re: Less than a week old and already having problems

  • Aww, sounds like you've both had a tough week.  Glad it's getting better, and I hope it's smooth sailing from here on!
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  • I was sort of in your place at the hospital. My LO was latching on great though, and I was the one that was the problem. Unfortunitly I had to stop BFing and I started her on formula. Now she's thriving, gained a great amount of weight, and we're actually able to enjoy each other more and more everyday. I'm not telling you to switch to formula, but do try to talk to a lactation consultant. Try giving her your milk in a bottle... I know its not the same, but if she latches on to the bottle, atleast she'll be getting the nutrition she needs, and she'll still be getting YOUR milk. 

     

    I was a hot mess the first week, and basically gave up nursing, which honestly, I dont regret... but if I had had more support I know I would have stuck with it.

    Trust your instincts....  when I trusted mine, everything went into place. 

     

    I dont know if this helps....  

    image Baby Birthday Ticker Ticker
  • Glad your LO is doing better.  My DD had a hard time latching when my milk first came in because i was so engorged.  Pumping a little before feeding really helped.
    DS born 8/8/09 and DD born 6/12/12.
  • imageegsulaiman:

    Try giving her your milk in a bottle... I know its not the same, but if she latches on to the bottle, atleast she'll be getting the nutrition she needs, and she'll still be getting YOUR milk. 

     

    That's roughly what we had to do, though we didn't use a bottle.  Once she had her blowout diapers, though, she latched and nursed like a champ!
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  • Good for you for keeping at it and not giving up. No one tells you how hard bfing is and no one tells you thebaby maynot take to it very well like we all expect. Keep it up!
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  • :hugs: I went through something similar w ds and it was awful.  He is still nursing so we def overcame our initial problems.  And no probs w dd
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  • imageAndromedaEclipse:
    imageegsulaiman:

    Try giving her your milk in a bottle... I know its not the same, but if she latches on to the bottle, atleast she'll be getting the nutrition she needs, and she'll still be getting YOUR milk. 

     

    That's roughly what we had to do, though we didn't use a bottle.  Once she had her blowout diapers, though, she latched and nursed like a champ!

    good thing you followed your gut. This is why newborns need to wake often to eat and when people say not to wake the baby they are wrong. They get dehydrated and sleep more, and get more lethargic so wont eat....so the cycle continues. Good for you and Im glad she is ok.  

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