Breast feeding question - Breastfeeding Message Board

leec41604 · 10-15-2007, 09:07 AM

Just curious how long do you wait to try and breast feed after delivery...my 1st son was sent straight to intensive care for a couple of hours and they fed him a bottle there. I tryed breastfeeding him after they brought him too me and he didn't want nothing to do with that...so I ended up bottlefeeding him. Also, how do you know if he's full or even getting any? I'm a little nervous about breastfeeding...just wondering if I should bottlefeed this one too. I'm just about 37 weeks and starting to get a little anxiety.

Tiff24 · 10-15-2007, 11:24 AM

It's up to you when you want to start. If you want to RIGHT after he's delivered than tell the dr. you want to. It's your baby so whatever you feel comfortable with. I waited 'til after everything was done and it was just my husband, baby, and me. Babies aren't born hungry so it's ok to wait a little bit. If you don't know what you're doing (I had no idea!) ask a nurse to come and help, you can't be modest if you want help though.

You will have a nurse or lactation consultant touching your breast. Breastfeeding is a very rewarding experience for mommy and healthy for baby so I hope you give it a try and stick to it. It can be tough so don't give up too quickly, you and baby will get the hang of it.

Mom22greatkids · 10-15-2007, 11:29 AM

The best time is right after birth, in the delivery room. Make your wishes known ahead of time. Make sure they note on the charts not to give the baby a bottle or pacifier. If the baby cannot nurse for whatever reason after delivery there are other ways to feed (finger feed, dropper). You can tell that the baby is getting enough by nursing often (at least every two hours, more if baby wants to), by his urine/poop output, and weight gain. But remember the baby will lose weight before leaving the hospital. It can take 2-3 weeks for him/her to get back up to birth weight. It may seem like all you do is breastfeed at first but it will space out as baby ges older. Take a class and/or read up on breastfeeding all that you can before the birth.

liloulou · 10-15-2007, 12:11 PM

Try as soon as you can after delivery. I had a csection, but still kept trying a few hours after delivery.
It's awkward at first (actually for the first few weeks.

), but keep at it.
Since I wasn't having much luck in the beginning and worried that my baby needed some milk, I had a lactation consultant come in and help.
She was soooo great and creative. We coaxed the baby onto the breast and slid a tiny tube filled with formula along side of my breast into the baby's mouth. This was great because it eased my worries of the baby getting milk, but also helped the breastfeeding latch.
If you want to bf, just don't give up early. It takes a while for mom and baby to figure it out.
Some people may say not to give the baby formula or that the baby doesn't need milk until it can latch on to your breast... do whatever you feel comfortable with.
As for knowing when they're full... you might not in the beginning since they're really just trying to get on and drink. But eventually once the baby can latch, they will stop drinking when full. You will know when the milk comes... you will hear the baby gulping and see that he/she is drinking.
Good luck...

baj406 · 10-15-2007, 01:12 PM

Everything I've read says that its best to nurse within an hour of delivery. I never got to nurse DS, but I did pump and feed him for 2 months. I'll do everything I can to bf any more babies we have too. Definitely give it a try. To monitor if they're getting enough, you keep track of the number of wet and dirty diapers. Also, as long as the baby is growing well and gaining weight, it's getting plenty.