Plse help - poor latch and low weight gain - want to stop bfeeding.

[baltimore97]

DD2 is now 8 weeks and I had thought bf was going ok. Fed DD1 (who was v difficult to feed) successfully for a year, and it seemed that this time things were going better.

However, DD2 has only put on 8ozs in the last 3.5 weeks. HV is very good, and has said no need to worry, no need to stop bfeeding, just need to keep an eye on her. DD poos daily and has plenty of wet nappies and generally seems happy, sleeps well in between feeds and is beginning to go 4-5hrs as night.

However, I feel her low weight gain is down to a poor latch. I have VERY flat nipples (even after previous bfeeding), large boobs and a fast letdown - this makes it v. difficult to achieve a good latch and to keep DD on the boob. I am finding bfeeding very hard, especially with a demanding 2 year old in the picture and really feel like giving up.

Has anyone fed with these problems overcome them? What were your strategies. I really am on the point of switching to formula as every feed is a struggle and DD2 is not even gaining weight. The whole thing is making me feel very down and I fear I could slip into mild PND which I had with DD1

[TheBlonde]

Bumping for you

Have you tried calling any of the BF advice lines?numbers on the RHS
Is there a bfc near you who you could see?

[VictorianSqualor]

In and ideal world what would you do?
I mean, if the latch could be fixed, would you conitue or do you actually want to stop?
That's the first thing you need to decide.
If you want to continue you need real life one-to-one help so call one of the helplines (numbers are on my profile) and get a BFC out to help you with your latch.
I don't know why low weight gain would be connected with a poor latch unless you mean she isn't getting as much milk as she wants?

[baltimore97]

I do want to give up as I really find bfeeding a trial - but I know this is not the best thing for my daughter so I'm feeling terribly guilty!

I will phone a helpline - did try NCT/LLL before but couldn't get through to anyone.

I'm just speculating that the poor latch could be the source of low weight gain, tho' DD1's latch was worse and she gained weight fine

[VictorianSqualor]

If you want to stop, then stop.
Yes, breastfeeding is great and does wonderful things, but if you don't want to do it the don't, and don't feel guilty about it.
You have done brilliantly to get this far as it is.

Do try and get some help with the latch before deciding because it may get easier, but if you really do not want to breastfeed, you know what? That's fine

[violeta]

I've been in pretty much the same situation, and if you do want to continue b/f I would advise waking up your dd at night as it seemed to be the night feeds for me that helped most in kickstarting the weight gain.
Best of luck.

[fluffyanimal]

Is 8 oz in 3.5 weeks really a poor weight gain? Don't let those charts in the red book determine your course of action.

[baltimore97]

Violeta - I have tried that once or twice, but she just falls asleep on the boob and I can spend 2hrs trying to get her going to no avail.

[tiktok]

baltimore - try the helplines again. I've no idea whether there is an 'issue' here or not to be honest - but if you are finding bf a 'struggle' at every feed, then something can almost certainly be done to make things better. A call will help you decide the best option for you - no one will try to make you do anything

[Jackstini]

Hope you have managed to get hold of someone Baltimore.

To be honest I think you are doing really well reading your second paragraph "DD2 has put on 8ozs in the last 3.5 weeks. HV is very good, and has said no need to worry, no need to stop bfeeding, just need to keep an eye on her. DD poos daily and has plenty of wet nappies and generally seems happy, sleeps well in between feeds and is beginning to go 4-5hrs as night."
My dd had very similar weight gain, slow but sure. I also had very flat nipples and ended up having to resort to nipple shields but luckily it did not stop me feeding her.
Hope you get it sorted out, you are doing a fab job and 8 weeks old is a trying time!

[Pixiefish]

i was in a similar position regarding low weight gain but my problem was not enough milk- not too much.

My story is here

if you want to read it. My dd is now 7 1/2 months and we're still going

[bealcain]

baltimore, where are you based? do you have supporters nearby. here's our site if you're in the SE www.handinhandbreastfeeding.co.uk

if you contact e through there i can try and help you find someone closer to home

Ally

[AttillaTheHan]

I have an 8 wk old too and have been in a similar position regarding her weight gain. My problem was she wasn't getting enough milk and seemed to forget how to latch on properly. I have persevered with breast feeding but after very low weight gain for several weeks I have begun to offer her 1-2 oz top ups, either expressed bm or formula. I dont know what others think of this but it has worked for us. Dd is still predominantly breastfed but is much happier and settled and weight gain is more steady.

As others have said if you want to stop breastfeeding then you should stop but if you want to continue then there are lots of people with good advice out there.
I got fantastic advice and guidance from a bf counsellor from the breastfeeeding network. She even visited me at home and went through attachment asn positioning options with me. I'd really recommend them.

good luck and whatever you decide i'm sure it will be the best for your baby.

[Pixiefish]

If you're going to top up the recommendation is that you don't top up after every feed but give her the feed either once or twice a day and express yourself at this time

[baltimore97]

Update - I went to see a breast feeding councillor this pm and she said she could see nothing wrong with the latch at all. We tried some different feeding positions, but the one I currently use, although uncomfortable for me, seems to work best.

I think DD is just a slow gainer. Y'day I introduced a formula feed at 2pm instead of breast. I am going to stick with this for a week or so and see how things play out. I may replace more feeds depending on how I'm feeling.

Thanks for all your help.

[Jackstini]

Glad to hear you got some assistance.
Fingers crossed everything works out for you and do keep posting if you need anything else