Hello IM's iam currently breastfeeding my 3 week old and im just after some tips and really advice on whether i am doing it correctly. He has been able to latch ok since he was about an hour old he fed for a good 45 mins for his first feed. During the day he only has 10-15 mins feeds and generally every 2-3 hours sometimes only one breast sometimes both and he has been having his last feed about 10pm sleeps 5 hours then wakes at 3am has a feed and likes to keep me awake for 2 hours lol. But the last few days he has been on and off on and off and fussing and then he will get frustrated and cry and im not sure why im pretty sure my milk is still coming through because it leaks every now and again and they are still filling up as they get really hard and sore. Although he seems to latch ok he likes to get worked up and takes in deep breaths and makes gulping sounds i tend to pat him on the bum and bounce him a little and that settles him as im worried he will get wind. Also my right breast gets a bit lumpy and sore in certain areas some days are good some days it really hurts ive tried massaging downwards while he feeds incase my ducts become blocked but it comes and goes still. And can anyone tell me what i should and should not be eating while breastfeeding. Obviously healthy stuff and ive been avoiding chocolate and caffeine apartfrom cups of tea here and there but i just have no idea. He is my second child i did breastfeed the first but i was very inexperienced and had no help (didnt think to ask anyone). I also mixed fed my first could that have caused my milk to dry up? This time is exclusively breast i dont want to give him formula unless i have to which is why im asking for advice. Thankyou
2 Replies
It sounds like you have lots of milk.
How you fed your last child will make no difference to your milk supply.
I found my boy got a bit fussier after a few weeks. I also found once my milk supply really established my boy would kind of gulp the milk, but once my supply settled down it became easier.
Get your GP to check your breasts regarding the lumps. You can also ring the Australian Breastfeeding association for support as often as you want. I think they can organise some visits etc.
As long as your baby is gaining weight he is eating enough. So make sure to keep those weigh in dates for peace of mind.
Each breastfed baby is different with how often they feed and how long they take. As long as your baby is having enough dirty nappies, and is gaining weight, I wouldn't stress too much.
It actually sounds like you've got a lot of milk.
Either way, your body will adjust and make the amount that your baby.
Although changes in breasts are quite normal during pregnancy and breastfeeding, it's still always a good idea to discuss any concerns with a doctor.
And as above said, ABA has a free service you can call for any concerns about breastfeeding.
Their website also has some amazing advice on what you can eat and drink, safety advice for consuming caffeine and alcohol, FAQ, advice on what to do if you think your supply is low, how to tell if your supply is low, and all sorts of other amazing information.
The website became my lifeline for a while when I was breastfeeding and I still check it out occasionally for information.
Just Google Australian breastfeeding association and it should be the first link to pop up.
As for the mix feeding, I mix fed my son and ended up with problems with clogged ducts as well as supply issues that I needed medication to fix. He also ended up with nipped confusion.
Mix feeding works for some, but I always recommend against it for those who are eager to exclusively breastfeed.