Stupid new mom questions**UPDATE post12, LC visit**

[haydn'smommy]

I did not have a successful nursing relationship with my first (he didn't nurse until he was much older) so I am clueless about nursing a newborn.
My new babe is 5 days old. My milk is in. He's peeing a ton (7+ yesterday) and pooping (6 times yesterday). But he wants to nurse constantly. Very often those feedings start off with me hearing him just gulping but then that stops after 3-5min and he kind of loses his good latch and starts to suck three or four times and stop, suck 3 or 4 times and stop, and it gets painful at times cause he's not getting the whole nipple. I've tried taking him off that side and relatching him but he just immediately starts doing that again. I've also tried taking him off and putting him on the other breast and we go through that same process again (gulp, gulp, gulp, lose latch, nibble, nibble, nibble).
I'm terribly worried that he is not getting enough and that this will kill my supply. Is that a valid concern? Is there something that I'm doing wrong? Is there some way to keep him more alert and actively nursing (compressions don't do it)? Is this even something to worry about?

[Earth Momma]

my first was like this - she was a little 6 pounder and just got tired and fell asleep after a few minutes. I was worried too - as long as they're making wet/soiled diapers there getting what they need and I believe it takes 6-8 weeks for your supply to regulate. my second was a very effecient nurser and it only took him a few minutes to get what he needed (9 pounder)

that 'comfort' suckle after they're done actually eating is very annoying and uncomfortable at first - it will get better, I'm am NOT a fan of the pacifier but it has been suggested to use that after they're done eating for the comfort suckle part - I never did it, I like the bonding opportunity!

Also you could go to your local Le Lache League meeting or call them - they know everything and it feels great to be around like minded mommas!!

good luck - sounds like you're doing a great job, keep trusting your instincts!!!!!!!!

[haydn'smommy]

Thanks. I'm seeing the LC again tomorrow for a weight check. I am vehemently opposed to a paci right now. I will not allow nipple confusion. I was so depressed when things went so bad with my first and this is my last baby so I will nurse him as long as he wants. I had really bad supply issues before, so I'm letting him sleep attached to me as much as he wants and letting him nurse, even just for comfort, as long as he wants. Of course, I do want him to get enough milk to grow and be healthy so that's where my concerns come in. I don't want to hurt the supply. I'm pushing water like crazy, eating oatmeal daily and taking Shatavari. I am determined to make this work.

[Youngfrankenstein]

Newborns learn and unlearn very quickly. The LC will obviously help, but I'd say you must break the lazy latch and re-start. I think if you do this every time, the baby will begin to stay latched properly.

[haydn'smommy]

Originally Posted by Youngfrankenstein

Newborns learn and unlearn very quickly. The LC will obviously help, but I'd say you must break the lazy latch and re-start. I think if you do this every time, the baby will begin to stay latched properly.

So, unlatch him and put him back on same breast?

[Youngfrankenstein]

Yes, I would. At 5 days he's still "new at this" too. I think he will understand soon. You really want to make sure he's getting enough hindmilk. I'm not sure if 305 mins on a side will do this. My last child ended up only nursing on one side per feeding. I'm not saying not to offer the second but I'm just saying that's how she ended up.

I would feel comfortable to offer him the same side for a good 20 mins or so before switching if you're having to re-latch him every 5 mins. He will figure it out!

[katmann]

Also remember than newborns have tiny, inelastic stomachs and your baby may be getting enough even though it doesn't seem like it.

[ramama]

Have you tried "sandwiching" your breast i.e. kind of squeezing it flat and then having him open really wide? That always worked with my youngest who was/is a lazy latcher.

That said, DD1 was always an eager nurser and could empty a breast in minutes, so if he's pooping and peeing often than most likely all is well.

[jojoboy]

My kid is a super fast eater - 3-5 minutes was about what he would do and then be done. Now, he's about 6 months and he can be done with a full feeding in 8-15 minutes. Please follow the advice from the LC, but from my experience with my kid, it sounds like he gets all he needs in 3-5 minutes and is just comfort sucking after that.

I personally don't like being used as a human pacifier, so I used one to satisfy my kids extra comfort sucking needs (now he uses his thumb). What does he do if you just take him off when his latch becomes bad (and not try to get him back on)? Does it seem like he's still hungry? Is he falling asleep at that point?

Anyway, I'll be interested to hear what the LC says.

[curious&eager]

I've read that babies get 80% of their milk in the first four minutes. The rest is more for the experience of nursing, just because they enjoy it. They're still getting milk after that initial rush but not as much. Mine is two months now and I think I remember he did tons of nibbling.
Unfortunately I think it gets a bit more annoying before it gets better because the milk will come in even more and flow faster. My experience was that ds would be hungry and gulp gulp to keep up with the flow, but then he would choke and refuse to eat afterwards only to be hungry again in an hour. But, he got the hang of it and things are working much better.
You'll like comfort sucking later when you're less sore. My ds does it during his bedtime feed. It's so cute, nibble, nibble, nibble, nibble, sleep for the same length, then nibble, nibble, nibble.... It puts him to sleep for the night and I feel happy laying there feeling his tiny nibbles.
I think I gave up on trying to keep him awake in the beginning. It was too much effort. He would just get hungry fast and i would feed him again. Sometimes we were eating 17 times a day in the beginning. Now it's down to 9.
It'll get better. As soon as you kind of figure it out, it'll change.

[CookAMH]

I have to hold my breast (with hand on same side as that breast) or my 4mo DS's latch will slip. Been like that since birth. That may help keep your LO on.

[haydn'smommy]

We went to see the LC today. He's gained 7oz in 4 days!!! We're back to only 3oz below birthweight at 6 days old. We let him nurse just a little to see what he's doing. He nursed for less than 2 min and got 1/2 oz so considering the size of his tummy and the fact that I stopped him mid session to weigh again, she feels that he's transferring milk well. (that and the 10 wets and 7 poops per day). I guess I need to relax a bit and stop worrying so much (easier said than done).
Thanks for the advice and for giving me a shoulder to cry on.

[PatioGardener]

YAY! That's great news! Well done, Mama!

Keep working on the latch - as his mouth grows it should get much less painful