Chuffy
Posted : 2/2/2008 7:52:23 PM
Bullymom
UndefinedMelody
I honestly don't feel like I had a baby right now,
LUCKY!! I was in major pain for the first 2 weeks!!
Yeah you are lucky! I took a while healing. That part was worse than birth for me.
Good nursing vibes from me too 
If you stick at it it will get easier
I introduced my little boy to a bottle at about 3weeks, just one bottle-feed per day, the rest breast. I wanted him to be flexible so that if I was leaving him with someone for a couple of hours, they could feed him if needed because I struggled a bit with the pump (I could do it ok, but it was just really SLOW and I felt like daisy the cow....) It was also handy if I went out because I didn't have to worry about where I was,who else was there or what I was wearing... kwim? Anyway, he has never had any confusion over bottle/nipple... it IS a slightly different technique but he managed fine.
I found that waking my little guy to feed during the day was the best way to go.... more feeds, less sleep in the day = less feeds and more sleep at night! I generally fed him every three hours, even if I had to wake him (although I let him sleep through for a good couple of hours at lunchtime if he wanted to, and he still has a longer nap midday now which is great).
He was SUCH a sleepy feeder - and he was a little bit overdue, I imagine its worse if they are early. These are the tips I found helpful:
Let him wake up fully before feeding. Let him cool down a tad to help stop him drifting back off - undo his clothes or take a layer off or open a window a crack. He won't get too cold because he will be pressed against you and get some heat from you anyway!
For the first few days I fed for just 5 minutes or so each side every couple of hours ish. After that I allowed longer .... 45-60 minutes for feeds initially! First, ten minutes or so for him to wake up, then time to feed from one breast (maybe 15 or 20 minutes), then time to wind, maybe a bit more on that breast before changing sides and then time to wind again... so don't rush it. Take your time
GENTLY "walk the plank" up his spine with your fingers
Stroke his face/lip to stimulate the sucking reflex
Skin to skin will help although its not always convenient!
Stroke his hair or gently pat his legs to help keep him awake
Make eye contact and talk to him a little - these are things that will stimulate his brain and say "awake time!" (I didn't do this at night though )
Make sure his position is right. Top lip up, bottom lip down, tummy to mummy. A pillow can help to raise him up to the right level (try not to hunch forward, I made that mistake and got the most terrible backache!)
Get as much sleep as you can and try your best not to WORRY about how much he is having and how often, because stress and fatigue will lower your supply!!!!!
If your breasts are hard and achey cabbage leaves out of the fridge tucked into your bra are lovely and soothing (honest!)
A hot flannel or warm bath just before a feed can help with the let down.
Don't be scared to contact your dr or someone if you are struggling.... something like a blocked milk duct is relatively easy to sort out.