Re: Tiny newborn too sleepy...small mouth
I know this is stressful. My DD was born 37.5 weeks although bigger at 5lb 13oz but I struggled terribly with her tiny mouth and poor latch. Glad you are doing skin to skin, I did as well. Get as much help as you can from lactation staff. I only asked foe someone once and regretted that when we went home and I continued to struggle with latch. I was constantly doing look ups in 'the womanly art of breastfeeding' and consulting this forum. My nipples were so raw and sore and in between feedings I actually treated them with my own milk and let them air dry. I hardly had my boobs covered for 3 weeks. But here's the good news. She got bigger, her mouth opened wider and eventually it worked. It took time for sure. But I guess what is also good is that I can't even remember exactly how much time. Today she is a healthy 20 lbs - she will be 11 months at the end of the week - and we are nursing strong. She has never had a drop of formula and we do very little solids so that weight is all mommy milk!
Keep at it, keep doing skin to skin, keep asking for help from experts, make sure you coat your nipples with milk when you're not nursing and let them air dry and know that many moms have gotten through this, painful as it is. Also make sure you are hydrating - I drank coconut water (electrolyte replacement!) in the hospital, which my husband brought, and make sure you are eating well. He also brought me fresh fruit, nuts and avocado for good fats, even baked salmon once. The only hospital food I would eat is egg scrambles with veggies and no cheese. Giving birth is hard work and nursing is depleting.
1st time mom over 40 to Alex(andra) b: 7/14/12