I have a hungry (almost) EBF 6 week old baby. I want to continue breastfeeding, however I don't think he's getting enough milk.
I've not got the biggest breasts (32A before, now 34C and loving the increase!) and he can only go 2 hours max between feeds. Particularly in the evening r is insatiable, ill cluster feed from 4ish but he gets so frustrated that he can't get enough milk out after an hour of feeding that he's screaming.
He is on about the 5th centile at mo (dropped from 9th). Health visitor says this fine as putting on 4oz a week. Says I shouldn't top up with formula as this wont increase my supply. She is evangelical about breastfeeding.
I have tried everything to increase my supply. I've spoken to national breastfeeding support and attended a group. Eating loads (including midnight porridge) and drinking lots. Letting him empty each breast before putting him onto the other, then switch feeding. Lots of compression when he stops swallowing.
But I don't think it's enough. I hate not being able to fully satisfy him. He sleeps badly when not full up. I sleep badly as feeds take so long so only getting 4iah hours a night. I'm exhausted with the constant feeding and little sleep.
I tried topping up with formula (after an hour on the breasts) yesterday and it was amazing. He had a 5 hour sleep last night (-so did I!) he was happy and alert and satisfied afterwards.
So AIBU to ignore HV, have I embarked on a slope to the end of breastfeeding? Or how long should I persevere on EBF and the little sleep before I start top up??
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AIBU?
AIBU to ignore HV and top up with formula?
95 replies
Thepursuitofhappiness · 13/04/2013 09:46
OP posts:
Wotme ·
13/04/2013 09:52
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MoreSnowPlease ·
13/04/2013 09:57
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