Breastfeeding ... what you do not know about it.

Good evening ladies.

I had my baby boy two weeks ago. I had a long and painful induction and an emergency caesarian. So I ended up staying in the hospital for 3 days.

The first day of my baby's life I barely remember as I was in constant pain, in bed with orders to not move much.

I do remember trying to breastfeed him and it was ok.

Second day, my baby was unsettled, he cried a lot and I was still feeling crap and his cry made me feel a less competent mum. The midwives gave me lots of information and advice about latching, the importance of BF and how often to BF.

HOWEVER, none of the hospital staff mention the QUANTITY of breastmilk one may have or not have! None checked if my baby was being fed properly, if he was hungry.

So, my baby boy was crying, I was crying and it was the worst pain (mind, I had lots of pain already) I ever felt: watching my baby hungry, having no breast milk to give him.

Two other mums in my ward had returned to the hospital with their hungry babies!

After talking with some friends they too admitted that they had the same problem or knew other that had it too.

I am shocked to realise that lots of babies are crying, unsettled, their parents are stressed all because their baby is simple hungry!

I am BF believer BUT only if my baby is happy and fed.

[Hidden]

Unfortunately it takes a few days for ur milk to be established which in tht time can b a stressful and emotional time and it is extremely common...I cried I nearly sent my bf out in middle of the night to get formula but when he was weighed on day 5 he had gained 5lb rather than lose which is usual in bf babies.

[Hidden]

Hey Lyra, I had exactly the same!!! I had caesarean and stayed in hospital for 2 days for BF help. Was told latch was good and thought all was well.

Came to go home and my poor baby boy had lost 12% of body weight!

Took him home anyway and he cried endlessly despite me feeding him.

When the midwife came the next day I was distraught and switched to formula. It was only then that she told me caesarean births take 5 to 7 days for milk to come!! My poor boy was starving!

I do support BF but this experience totally knocked my confidence - as a new Mum I was terrified that I couldn't settle my baby.

BF doesn't suit everyone and it totally depends on every different Mum and baby.

I hope you enjoy your LO, they grow so fast! My boy is now 10 weeks and just over 12lbs!

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Hi 2ndtimelucky. Congratulations for your new baby and for being persistent on BF. It payed off as your baby is doing so well.

I didn't knew caesarean delayed so long breastmilk to come! Now things make more sense. thank you.

[Hidden]

I had similar birth experience long induction then emergency csection after an hr my baby was feeding well but could see she wasn't getting enough bf so I started mixing with formula right at the hospital x

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Well done you!

Is important that mums have access to formula right at the hospital and be informed about it without being over-stressed and babies being under-feed and developing health problems.

[missnib]

Same happening with us. He bf fine in hospital but things changed when we got home. He latches fine but no milk. Sent the other half out to get a breast pump just to see what was happening. Turns out not much. We're doing a combination now of bottle and breast. He's now a much happier boy.

[Hidden]

Yeah they don't tell u that ur milk takes longer to come in when u gave a section. ..I have always latched mine on and then topped up with a bottle they only take a small amount but they are so more settled.... I've done it with all of mine and it's worked well for me my milk usually comes in from day 2 but this time took 4 days and it was really hard I nearly gave up and switched to formula but now my milk is established he is so much more settled. ...I dont know how long I'll breast feed for this time as having more children dies make it harder. ..I fed my first for 5 1/2 months and the last 2 months although I wish I'd breast fed him for longer. ..so I'm hoping for as long as possible but won't beat myself up about it... think mums are being pressurised to breast feed again. ..which is wrong. ..u have to do what's right and what works for u

[BubbaG]

Hate to admit it but after having three previous bottle fed babies this time i decided to BF, Nothing prepared me for the excruciating pain... omg, after day two I gave my little baby girl a formula bottle at night and again the following night, I so so so nearly gave up but then once the colostrum had finished and the milk come through it was fine and I have been fine ever since... In fact I am so glad I stuck with it as I am really enjoying the bonding and not to mention not having to make bottles up.

[Melisastar]

I have had similar birth. And he has been so

Good at latching on but my nipples are so sore he hurts me when I do I am

In tears every time. We started giving him formulae too coz

I wasn't sure he gettin enough I just want to pack it all

In it hurts me to much bit my partner really wants me to

Keep goin until milk is through but how long is it ment to hurt for I don't know if I can It terrifies me. Do I try to keep going is it worth it in the end?

[Hidden in reply to Melisastar]

it is hard and yes it hurts for a few days but if u do want to bf u need to keep letting him suck as it will then meet the demand, trust me soon u wont b able to stop the milk. hav u got nipple cream, try putting cold stuff on ur nipples, I put cotton pads in freezer and put them on my nips. its worth it and 16 weeks later I am still going although now my son is teething its starting to hurt lol. but if u cant carry on no1 will think any less of u, u just hav to do what suits u xx