I think I have had a break through!!
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Category: Have A Baby?
Forum Name: First baby? Second or more?
Forum Description: Want help? Need support? Want tips? Men and women share advice and tips in this supportive community
URL: https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=13710
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Topic: I think I have had a break through!!
Posted By: BellaBoo
Subject: I think I have had a break through!!
Date Posted: 18 January 2008 at 8:22am
I am trying not to get to excited but for the past few feeds they have been short (15mins at most) and Bella seems settled and satisfied after. I called Le Leche yesterday and told her my situation and she gave me some great advice about getting Bella to do more sucking with breast compression technique and combine it with spending more time just cuddling her in between. It seems that her comfort sucking was due to her wanting to be with me more and that was her way of doing it. We were in a cycle of her comfort sucking for long periods which would make me exhausted and just putting her under her gym or to bed. After reading the article below I feel like a mean bad mum
"Q 2. What about the babies who constantly demand breastfeeding? A 2. Often there are babies who fake constant hunger. When put to the breast, they are playful or disinterested feeders. Such babies are actually demanding comfort sucking, not nutritive feeding. They probably have mothers who do not cuddle them between feeds and hold them only for the purpose of feeding. If the mother cuddles them between feeds they will stop pretending to be hungry just to feel warm and secure. Sometimes if the mother is stressed, tense or depressed the baby senses her anguish and wants to be constantly near her for reassurance. Such babies cry a lot and seem to be hungry. Further babies may be actually hungry when they have a growth spurt, that is, when they grow taller, fatter or longer. Their growth requires more milk so they go through a temporary phase of about 2 days approximately when they want frequent feeding. This steps up the milk supply in the breast. Once milk supply is increased, they go back to bigger gaps between feeds. At such times it is best for the mother to take 2 days off and go to bed with the baby and concentrate only on feeding for those 2 days. " ------------- http://lilypie.com">   http://lilypie.com">
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Replies:
Posted By: MissCandice
Date Posted: 18 January 2008 at 8:42am
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Topsy, your not a bad mean mum, its a huge learning curve! And its tiring.. but im glad you have had a breakthrough.. im sure your pleased! ------------- ~ Mummy to a beautiful girl ~ |
Posted By: fattartsrock
Date Posted: 18 January 2008 at 8:59am
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good for you luvvie. I hel;p run a BF support group and I always tell mums who are struggling that things become somewhat easier around the 4 to 6 week mark. You are doing a super job. Good on you for asking for help! You are not doing a bad job AT ALL. Breast feeding is something that both you and baby have to LEARN to do, same as learning hunger cues, sleep cues etc. Hugs to you!! ------------- The Honest Un PC Parent of 2, usually stuck in the naughty corner! :P |
Posted By: bookwyrm
Date Posted: 18 January 2008 at 9:29am
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Oh Topsy, I am so happy for you!!!! That is the best news. I think reaching out for help sometimes helps us to keep focused and the advice you can get can sometimes do wonders.
You have been a great mum, all that time dealing with the demand feeding or the 2 hour long feeds, even if some of it was comfort sucking. You have been awesome. I think BF is a huge learning curve, and it's different for every mum and baby. I am only 2 weeks along and shudder to think what we will come across in the future. Keep your chin up :) Sounds like things are looking very positive for you and Bella Boo. ------------- http://lilypie.com"> 
http://lilypie.com"> 
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Posted By: cuppatea
Date Posted: 18 January 2008 at 9:37am
 You are not a bad or mean mummy, you didn't know you asked for help and now you do know. That makes you a fantastic mummy.
Remember you are learning as well you can't be expected to automatically know everything, each baby is so different it takes a while for you both to learn and get into a groove, by 6 weeks you will be laughing trust me. ------------- 
 
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Posted By: nikkitheknitter
Date Posted: 18 January 2008 at 2:35pm
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Holy crap. I disagree completely with the answer to that question. Some babies just love to suck!!! I mean, I cuddled Hannah all the freaking time when she was little but she would have been on the breast all day if she had the chance! So anyway, don't take that to heart.
And I've said it a trillion times but I'll say it again - babies get 95% of their feed in the first 5 minutes. So 15 minutes is fine! Good job Topsy 
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Posted By: 3boys
Date Posted: 18 January 2008 at 2:57pm
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Hey Topsy, I am so glad that you are having a better day. I agree with nikkiwhyte some babies do just love to suck, but others do use it to get more in arms time as it seems your baby was doing. Do you have a sling you can use so that you can cuddle and do other things? ------------- http://lilypie.com"> 
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Posted By: BellaBoo
Date Posted: 18 January 2008 at 3:39pm
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Thanks everyone. We have had a really good day so far and it seems that all she wanted was more cuddles. She hasnt left my arms today and loves it! I will continue this for a few days and then start introducing some sleeps back in the cot. Hope this continues! ------------- http://lilypie.com"> http://lilypie.com">
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