Going back to breastfeeding after being away for a few days please help!!

[DancingtheTittyTango]

I've been admitted to hospital. Been very poorly and last time I fed baby was about 1pm yesterday afternoon. Since then I've managed to use a double hospital grade pump to express about 5 times in total. I was told I couldn't feed on the antibiotics then told I could and then put on steroids and told I couldn't feed!! Baby has been having EBM and some formula at home with my husband. Is this the end? I'm trying to express every 2 hours but due to doctors coming in and nausea/sickness I've only managed that once and every other 4 hours.

My daughter is 5 months old tomorrow and I desperately don't want to stop feeding. It was just getting easier :(( I'm likely to be here until Monday. Someone please tell me it's not over like this and what I need to do to make it work.

[SecretSpy]

Antibiotics and steroids wouldn't usually be a bar to breastfeeding/giving the expressed milk - as long as you are well enough to feed or express.

Can DP bring them baby in for some feeds too? Is it a baby friendly hospital? Can you get the infant feeding team involved?

Double pump is good, can you use a pic of the baby to look at and try for about every 3 hrs each including at least once overnight.

[SecretSpy]

And don't panic, and 5mo supply is hopefully well established

[DancingtheTittyTango]

We didn't think he would be allowed in with baby but he's managed to bring her in for a couple of hours today. I didn't feed her thought as I was worried about the steroids. Hopefully they will be finished today so I'm going to try and feed her to tomorrow when he brings her in. They only have visiting time 2-4 and 5-7 which is too late for baby as she's in bed.

This is my pumping so far today

6:00am 20 mins 5.5oz
9:35 20 minutes 3.1oz
1:35 20 minutes 3.1oz
4:29. 20 minutes 2.25oz

I can never pump much normally 3oz is pretty good for me normally but my boobs aren't feeling particularly full. Prior to this I was at home bedridden and she was being looked after by my mum and husband. They were bringing her into me for feeds but then she was having maybe 3 bottles in between the feeds from me (approx 6 a day) as I was so poorly I needed to rest and she doesn't settle well without a feed, she has slept through for quite a while so no night feeds to deal with at the moment.

They won't let my husband stay though and without him I couldn't look after her. I'm very dizzy and attached to a drip :(

[DancingtheTittyTango]

Shameless bump :( Tiktok? Anyone?

[Theyaremysunshine]

I'm no expert but I found this list useful. It does suggest steroids are safe.

Fwiw I bf my 2 for 7 and 9 months respectively, finished bf dc2 in January, and still occasionally get a milk leak after a hot shower. So I'd really not worry about a couple of days.

Hope you get well again soon.

[DancingtheTittyTango]

I'm worried she will get used to the ease of bottle feeding and refuse me She's a very greedy baby and takes 10oz in a bottle feed! I hate that I can't pump much but then I know getting stressed about it will make it worse its a vicious cycle!!

[zippyrainbowbrite]

Don't panic, at 5 months your supply should definitely be well established, and expressing should keep it going fine - even if it does dip slightly then a few days of being back at home and feeding normally will get it back up.

Also, by that age nipple confusion shouldn't be as much of an issue, so your baby should be fine feeding off you again once back. It might take you both a few feeds to get back in the swing of it, but you'll get there.

Hope you feel better soon

[DancingtheTittyTango]

This was yesterday's pumping

6:00am 20 mins 5.5oz
9:35 20 minutes 3.1oz
1:35 20 minutes 3.1oz
4:29. 20 minutes 2.25oz
8:15. 20 minutes 2.2oz
11:40. 20 minutes 2oz

It works out at any average of every 3 hours and I managed to pump just over 18oz. I finally went to bed at midnight and was woke at 6 to be put on a drip. I can't express until I come off it though because I can't bend my arm. This morning my boobs feel soft where they would normally be really full for a feed. I feel gutted. :(

I'm hoping to try and feed her today as although I'm still on antibiotics I'm off the steroids and I don't feel in so much pain that I can get away with not taking the codeine.

Is it worth taking domperidone do you think? I've got fenugreek and Blessed thistle tablets at home?

[SaggyAndLucy]

not quite the same but I'm 100% expressing for DD and trying to get her to start bf. she had her surgery a fortnight ago and is much stronger. she actually fed through a nipped shield yesterday! so even after a few days there's no need to think your dd wont/can't!
I was taking domperidone. its great. I stopped over the weekend due to running out and DD being in hospital, and although supply has approximately halved, it's still there and creeping back up.
How about rigging up an expressing bra whilst you're on the drip? I've got a tight fitting sports bra. I cut a hole in each cup and fed the cones through. The medela ones are detachable which makes the holes smaller and fitting easier. You can get a hand into it and you can be hands free!