Have I left it too late too start breast feeding my baby ?

[gingergirl]

I gave birth to my ds on monday evening, I have been fairly determined that I would bottle feed him as I had problems weaning my daughter off the breast. I think I might be changing my mind now. Have I left it too late and if not what can I do about it?
I would appreciate any advice. Thanks

[whomovedmychocolate]

You can TRY - when did your milk come in?

[whomovedmychocolate]

Sorry, pressed wrong button. Some women can relactate that is start the milk off when it's been stopped, but what you need to do is nurse constantly, or as often as possible - but certainly no less frequently than every two hours.

[gingergirl]

Thursday I think, I still feel fairly full.

[uberalice]

No harm in trying. Get him to the breast as often as possible. Lots of skin to skin. And if you're struggling, see a b/f counsellor asap. Hope you manage it.

[gingergirl]

Thanks I'll give it a go when he is next ready for a feed. If it doesn't work out at least I will have tried.

[maisym]

just try bf - your breasts will react & start to produce milk. The more stimulation then the quicker this will happen.

[whomovedmychocolate]

Give it a go. It may take a bit longer than usual to get things settled but worth a try definitely. Good for you. What was the problem with weaning?

[gingergirl]

My daughter was such a good breast feeder I ended up being unable to give her a bottle and eventually fed her for a lot longer than I had wanted to.

[jellycat]

I did it, although I never fed exclusively. I started feeding ds2 when he was 6 days old and mixed fed him for 7 weeks (then went on to bottle because my milk was drying up - but that was, I think, because I had to use nipple shields). Reason for not feeding from birth was that I was not well enough. So I would say it is def. worth a try.

Good luck.

[whomovedmychocolate]

Ah I see....well clearly your mummy milk is lovely and you should be justly proud

Doesn't necessarily mean your DS will go the same way.

BTW I didn't say before but CONGRATULATIONS!

[gingergirl]

Thanks very much. I am now trying to type with a baby attached to my breast. He seems to have a good latch and its not hurting me. So will see how I get on over the next couple of days.

[cathcart]

well done and congratulations on your baby!

[Jenkeywoo]

Congratulations! you've made the right decision. My daughter is a little monkey and won't take a bottle at all so always breastfeeding. But I wasn't able to breastfeed my first born and now when I think what would I prefer? a pesty breastfeeder attached to me day and night or not being able to breastfeed - there's no contest. I hope you and your new little one have a lovely breastfeeding relationship. Good Luck.

[filthymindedvixen]

aw, good luck gingergirl, hope that milk is flowly nicely!

[gingergirl]

Thanks for all your help and support. We have managed 2 feeds one from each side and there is still milk there. So not a bad start.

[mamama]

Yay, well done you!

[mamama]

Oh, and if you need any info or support, Kellymom is a great webiste and the NCT or La Leche League can give you RL help.

[kreamkrackers]

a friend of mine told me that her mum was very ill after giving birth and didn't see her for a whole week. she'd been given bottles but when he mum was feeling better she tried to bf her and managed to fully bf her.

[emat]

It's great that he's taken to the breast so easily!
If I were you I'd keep his last feed in the evening one from the bottle. Even if it's expressed bm. That way you shouldn't have too much of a problem getting him to bottles only when you want to stop bfeeding.

[whomovedmychocolate]

I'm so glad that worked for you! Now at 3am you won't be faffing with bottles!

[Mrscarrot]

Oh, that's cheered me up, I'm glad you could once you'd tried. Congrats.

I'm sure you'll be pleased you did, and so will your LO!

[Elasticwoman]

Looking ahead, a breastfeeding counsellor can help you wean baby off the breast when you want to do that, so don't worry.

[bobsmum]

I've heard that you can have a 3 week window to succeed. SOounds really promising - well done

[bobsmum]

I stopped feeding dd 3 months ago and I've still got milk!

[gingergirl]

Just a quick update, he has fed regularly today every 2 -3 hours and I have managed to express a couple of ounces for him to have out of a bottle. I am giving him some formula top ups but am increasing the length of his feeds. So all in all a promising start. I never imagined I would feel like this when I was pregnant, especially as I only finished breastfeeding my DD less than 2 months ago.
Thanks for all the encouragement, as there is noone in real life I could have talked to about this.