MSE Newborn to 1 year Baby Club 1

**Bex**

turtlemoose wrote: »

Bex, welcome and congratulations! I too could feed on the right ok but not the left (no he prefers thr left, huh!)

Have you tried holding him in the position you would to feed him on the right, then keep him same position, but move him over to the left boob (you may need a pile of pillows or cushions, and a helpful OH to work this out to start with!) So basically he ends up feeding from the left but in the same position he would be in if he was feeding from thr right - does that make sense? It helped us as it gave my poor left nipple time to heal, then we moved to cradle (and other positions) normally, which was easier with a non-damaged nipple

My midwife suggested this, but I really struggle with it cos my left arm isn't quite as strong and I find it harder to support him. My health visitor also had a go at helping me try rugby hold on that side (I use cradle successfully on my right) to see if him being the same way around helped. But we just couldn't get a good latch - HV also struggled to get him to open his mouth wide enough. Maybe I need to keep persevering though...

**Bex**

moneypenny - i'd love to express instead of feeding for a bit. Unfortunately I just never seem to have the time! I think I need to develop the ability to use my pump one-handed

tazzyb

Bex try expressing some milk and letting it dry on your sore nipple then apply the linasoh. I had a really painful right nipple but my left was fine and it really helped me. Or you could express from that side for a few days to give it a chance to heal, could be that start of a freezer stash. An other option is to use a nipple shield for a few days while it heals. Hope you get it sorted soon.

The last two times I have bathed Finley I have gotten him all dried and dressed and he has thrown up all over himself. Wonder why he is doing it. Must say he does not seem bothered by it just wants the boob again.

Not having any luck I introducing a dummy. I have tried MAM avent and TT and he spits them all out.

When did every notice your little ones doing the startle reflex less? Just occurred to me I have not seen him do it for a coue of weeks.

moneypenny21

Thanks gilly! Success With the mam bottles tonight too no leakage!

Here's a problem I didn't anticipate, youngling has fell asleep after 2 oz !! No amount of rousing can wake her up (within reason she is still breathing!) I guess if she wakes up for a feed in the next 2 hours I can't use this milk?!

Gillyx

They say 2 hours I think, and then you need to discard it

I was thinking earlier, how are you heating the milk up, could that be causing the leakage? I know with those bottles putting in a jug with warm water or a bottle warmer causes them to leak as the little holes at the bottom take in water.

martafdz

I also use the same bottle if she wakes up within the 2h mark since preparation time. I had no problems so far, although I know some people say 1h if she has drank a bit,2h if she hasn't touched it yet. To be honest, if it were that common to get bacteria at 2h as to make babies ill, I think there would be a massive warning sign and not just small print saying not to do that. As i see it it's probably safe, not that common to produce enough bacteria to make them ill and maybe even a strategy from formula giants to make you discard milk and make a new bottle. That said, I usually throw it away after the 2h, but if I have a lot left and it's not too hot in the flat, or if the bottle was prepared at room temperature to start with, and it's been 2h and 10 minutes, I'd probably use that bottle.
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Moneypenny, what teat are you using? I'm in number two now. But my lo also falls asleep after 2 oz sometimes, although at night she usually does 3.5-4 oz. I'm going to increase my bottles to 5oz now because she has started to finish them off a couple of times a day.

Gillyx

Argh bad night here bloomin' teeth. Poor munchkin was soaked in drool when I went into him.

We're off out for pancakes this morning as soon as he's awake, as mummy needs caffeine and sugar!

fluffnutter

**Bex** wrote: »

He's Alexander.

I have tried different holds, but find I struggle to support him well which I think is part of the problem. He also doesn't open his mouth that wide which doesn't help. I had been using cradle hold which is fine on the right but not great on the left. The feeding specialist suggested I try feeding with him sitting upright facing me which does get a better latch but still hurts like hell . Plus it seems my milk flows faster in that position so he often ends up gulping/choking and coming off all the time (yet more pain).

I'm using Lansinoh which is great in soothing and healing my nipples, but next time I feed they get sore again...

Have you tried the reverse cradle hold? I can only use cradle hold on one side; I use reverse on the other. It's where you support the baby with the opposite arm (to the side he's feeding on) and then you can hold your boob really easily with your other hand (same side he's feeding on). I find supporting the boob and nipple really helps to stop them dragging on it, which is particularly likely if they don't open their mouths that wide.

Honestly, it's so usual for them still to have a titchy little mouth at four weeks, and to flail around and get the hands involved - all things that make it difficult to position them correctly. For me, I really turned a corner at around 5 to 6 weeks - you're almost there, lovey.

Pic of the reverse cradle hold:

dizziblonde

Gillyx wrote: »

They say 2 hours I think, and then you need to discard it

I was thinking earlier, how are you heating the milk up, could that be causing the leakage? I know with those bottles putting in a jug with warm water or a bottle warmer causes them to leak as the little holes at the bottom take in water.

Apparently (I was googling this before I bought them for number 2) - if you stand them in water with the lid OFF - this doesn't happen.

**Bex**

fluffnutter wrote: »

Have you tried the reverse cradle hold? I can only use cradle hold on one side; I use reverse on the other. It's where you support the baby with the opposite arm (to the side he's feeding on) and then you can hold your boob really easily with your other hand (same side he's feeding on). I find supporting the boob and nipple really helps to stop them dragging on it, which is particularly likely if they don't open their mouths that wide.

Honestly, it's so usual for them still to have a titchy little mouth at four weeks, and to flail around and get the hands involved - all things that make it difficult to position them correctly. For me, I really turned a corner at around 5 to 6 weeks - you're almost there, lovey.

Pic of the reverse cradle hold:

I have tried, but for some reason I struggle to hold him as well like that. I will keep trying it though. Thanks for the reassurance - I keep thinking if I can just get to 6 weeks it may improve. I really would prefer to stick with the breastfeeding, but when I have a few bad feeds it's difficult. You start dreading the next feed which is no fun at all.