Our baby was very sleepy – typical C-section baby (not planned to be a C-section, at least not by us, but God has His own ideas!) plus she had jaundice just to make it even more fun and once she started gaining she gained a pound a week for 5 weeks straight. (apparently I was supplying the full fat version of milk, I guess all that ice cream paid off!)

Considering she started in the 25th percentile across the charts, that is impressive.

So I will tell you what you know, and what I know I wanted to hear those first few days when weight was not what it should be – hang in there and just keep going. I know that you are a pro at this and I am a rank amateur with one and one on the way, but sometimes we just need to be encouraged.

So may the Lord bless you and sustain you, and may He help Bethany nurse enough to start packing on the pounds while helping you be comfortable nursing too.

Blessings!

Have you been over to Jack Newman’s breastfeeding site? He is my favorite breastfeeding reference and his book is worth every single penny, many times over.

http://www.breastfeedingonline.com/newman.shtml

Specifically, look at the headings for Sore Nipples, Breast Compression and Handout #4 “Is my baby getting enough milk?”

Changing the way you latch her on may help with the sore nipples, too. If her tongue is short, you may need to try some suck training. Essentially, you place a clean finger in her mouth, pad up. Do not crook your finger so that the pad goes up into her palate, keep it flat. As she sucks, bring her tongue forward. Do this several time before latching her at the breast.

Milk thistle is a good idea. Also, try the “24 hour cure,” get in bed with Bethany and stay skin to skin as much as possible. Nurse, nurse, nurse. It may be that a good, solid day of nursing will help clear enough of the jaundice that she will wake easier.

Is this getting too technical? Email me privately and I will happily share a phone number if you want to talk in person.

Meg
midwife, breastfeeding counselor

Delaney was my starvation jaundice baby. I had to time the nursings and wake, wake and triple wake her up using chinese water torture (ice water), feet tickling, total undressing, or whatever means I could to get her to wake up to eat. My ped told me to nurse her round the clock every 2 hours. I was literally nursing round the clock. Took 2 months for her jaundice to subside and for her to wake up and care about nursing.

I would push the nursing round the clock and not let her sleep any more than 3-4 hours at a time at the most. I know, I know. It’s nice to have her sleep. But, it’s probably not what is best for her right now.

Also, if you take milk thistle, which is a liver cleanser, that should help her little liver to kick in. It will also give you more milk though! Doesn’t sound like you need that help : )

Laralee
http://www.PlymouthRockRanch.com
Recording the Faithfulness and Provision of God for Future Generations

I know you didn’t ask for advice and you could teach classes on nursing after nursing so many blessings! LOL But I’m going to share this anyway, for what it’s worth, because it has helped me so much.

When I nurse a newborn, first I latch them on as best I can. Then I reach in with my free hand and use my thumb to pull gently down on their chin. This makes sure their lips are flared, and helps teach them to open wide. Doing this can really help if they aren’t opening their mouths wide enough or positioning their lips correctly. You mentioned her tongue being an interesting shape, so maybe this won’t help. But it wouldn’t hurt to try!

And I agree with the pp’s…. jaundiced babies can be very sleepy.

I hope the nursing situation improves soon!