Breastfeeding help

[Sleepdeprivedmamma]

Hi

baby is 4 weeks old
i have inverted nipples and have been using nipple sheilds
last week i had mastitis - baby was really unsettled and i could see he wasnt getting enough milk
so i expressed for a week - today ive gone back to feeding with sheilds and baby happily does it but is very unsettled again
im worried he isnt getting enough
what am i doing wrong?

It is possible that he’s struggling to get enough because of your inverted nipples. It’s not your fault and you haven’t done anything wrong. Maybe try topping up with expressed milk after a feed?

Keep going you are doing brilliant! It’s difficult but gets easier with time and practice for baby to get more adept . They may be taking in more air so plenty of burping . Can you get to a breastfeeding cafe or support group ? That was a big help for me x

@Strawberrycheesecake7 how do i know to express at the right time to not effect what he is getting when he trys to feed? X

@Ringshanks i really struggle with social things like this tbh x

Have you tried contacting your local infant feeding team?

Also this helpine is 24/7

https://www.nationalbreastfeedinghelpline.org.uk/get-in-touch/

Hi not sure about your particular situation, but there is a website called kellymom which has lots of articles about breastfeeding. I found it really helpful. Good luck.

Top him up with formula until you both get the hang of things. It will take the pressure off the breastfeeding. I used those little Aptimil bottles.

The ones near me don't require you to be especially social - they call them cafés to make them sound relaxed and drop-in. Where i went you were greeted by a supporter who would then take you for a 121 chat.

There are often online sessions too - might that feel easier to begin with? Though I found it frustrating to try to follow instructions on a zoom call and easier 121.

Can you get in touch with your midwife or HV and ask for a referral to feeding support specialist?

Have you had some skilled help with the breastfeeding? A lactation consultant for example, lots do online appointments (I recommend Lucy Webber or Charlotte Trietl if you want to have a Google). I’m assuming baby was bottle fed the expressed milk last week, was this pace fed? Many babies struggle to move between boob and bottle (although lots don’t) because of the difference in how easily the milk flows. You can do compressions of your boob during the feed to keep a steady pace of milk and that may help.

I would really recommend booking to see some skilled help, you deserve support!

I used one of these on my inverted nipples: https://www.johnlewis.com/lansinoh-latch-assist-nipple-everter/p231841640?s_ppc=2dx_mixed_fashion_BAU&tmad=c&tmcampid=2&gad_source=1&gbraid=0AAAAAD2el1w6kQfZ9eWybfykBHeIPiyrZ&gclid=Cj0KCQiAu8W6BhC-ARIsACEQoDAdhLQb15KFVcbGvNEMgb7XcMGmUOIYmZgc94QQ9FAfwGOwE0SjQToaAsaZEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds

It draws the nipple out so it’s easier for the baby to latch. I only needed to use it for a few weeks and then once my baby was bigger he could latch fine without.

Good video on breast compressions. This lactation consultants page is excellent too.

www.instagram.com/olivia_lactation_consultant/reel/CjAbmBnDz8T/

OP can you call your HV, there will be someone on the team who specialises in breastfeeding that should be able to help. You can also contact the breastfeeding network and La leche league in your area they are free and will help.

These are the tough weeks, keep going (if you want to) and it should all fall into place

I have been breastfeeding my second this year and even after breastfeeding my first for a whole year it was still so so hard at first, after 6-8 weeks everything was so much better

Would you feel comfortable with a zoom call? Local commissioned breastfeeding support where I am offers a weekly zoom and so does La Leche League.
If that’s not an option maybe get a lactation consultant out.

I would not top up with formula at this point, there is a big risk that it could hinder your supply so early on if you want to only or mainly breastfeed.

If you have a milk collector (like a haakaa) you can out that on the opposite breast when you’re feeding and collect some milk that way.

If you think you could manage to go to a group setting and explain you have social anxiety or whatever I have found them to be very supportive generally.

Would call la leche league or go to a support group or pay for a private visit at home.

Call your HV and see if a breastfeeding peer supporter can come out and see you.

Do you draw your nipple out with a suction thingy (can't remember what theyrecalled) before feeding? I had to with mine

Lansinho latch assist