Struggled to breastfeed with past babies

[NeedHelpThisTimeIThink]

Not an AIBU, posting on here for the traffic

I've recently found out I'm pregnant again and I would love to breast feed properly this time around. This is my 4th baby

My first baby was born at 24 weeks but passed away shortly after the birth. My milk came through and the midwives gave me a tablet that stopped me producing milk. They said my mental health would decline if I was producing milk for a baby that was no longer here.

With my 1st the milk came out rapidly but I had the medicine to stop it

With my 2nd I tried to breastfeed but had very poor milk supply, I ended up bottle feeding straight after breastfeeding as a top up

Same with my 3rd but my milk supply was even worse with him,

I suffered PND with my 2nd and my 3rd ( didnt realise, thought I was just still depressed/ anxious about my 1st and history repeating itself )

So I didnt even think to ask for help from professionals.

The time around I would like to be able to breastfeed my baby properly but I dont know where to start asking for help?

I am very early days pregnant ( 5 weeks ) so theres still plenty of time. When the pregnancy progresses who do I speak to about trying to increase my milk supply?

Check out this list of places to find help.

www.nhs.uk/conditions/pregnancy-and-baby/breastfeeding-help-support/

Hopefully by the time you have your baby things will be much more open and available than they are at the moment! But have a look for breastfeeding support groups in your area, and check the La Leche League or search for an IBCLC (international board certified lactation consultant) where you are. It's best to do what you're doing and find out where the support is now, rather than after you have the baby.

Have you had your children checked for tongue tie? It might not have been an issue with your supply, but with their ability to transfer milk effectively. Good to be aware of because some midwives or GPs are not trained in this area, so they'll say there is no tongue tie, or that it's "slight" and won't make a difference, but baby is still having problems transferring milk well (slow weight gain). Their solution is usually to shrug, say you must have low supply and suggest supplementing with formula. Sometimes you really have to push for help unfortunately!

Congratulations and good luck

AlmostAlwyn Brilliant, thank you for the link

It was a long time since my others were babies ( nearly 6 & nearly 4 now ) but I cant remember tongue tie being mentioned. But they both gained weight well when they were babies.

I definetly think it's my supply, when I was pregnant with my first baby I had milk coming through from 22/23 weeks onwards and as soon as I had him I started producing milk.

With my other 2 barely anything comes out. I didnt leak with them and couldn't fill up a bottle even when I tried.

It's silly but I wonder if that medicine that I took gave my body a memory to stop producing milk when I give birth. I know that's silly but it's the only conclusion i can come too

I definetly want the help and support before the baby is here, I know nothing can be done right now as it's so early and it might not stay, but hopefully by then time the baby is here I'll have gotten my foot in the door for support at least