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Infant feeding

Get advice and support with infant feeding from other users here.

tongue tie pumping to keep supply and topups

3 replies

fabangusmum · 16/07/2010 14:52

I think I may have done a very silly thing. My baby is 12 wks - he's a big boy - and I've been reducing his topups, he had his tt released at 3 weeks but has never been that great a feeder. I've been succesfully pumping to increase supply and wondered whether he was up to maintaining my supply so I stoppped pumping...supply went down and he wanted more formula. After 120ml he would cry but I would burp him and put him back on the breast and he would settle. Anyway this week after 3 days of no poo and then a green one followed the next day by something ochre rather than those lovely yellow coleman's mustards, I was worried I was underfeeding him. I just read 'The Essential First Year' and she says an empty bottle could indicate underfeeding, give them an ounce or two more and let the baby decide. So after his 120 today, I waited 30mins and offered him another 120 (made up already in fridge) HE DRANK THE LOT! and cried when it was done. The teat has one hole so it doesn't pour down, he has also cried after 120 through SNS finished. But then 5 mins later he cried again and this time it was more I don't feel well - so how can I tell if he's really hungry? I'm so scared of seeing those skin and bone limbs that I thought I was overfeeding him and now I worry the other way. It's so difficult to find the right balance when using topups and I know he can't demand more from me, he's tried but his suck is just not up to it. I rather increase the frequency of topups than amount but anyway I'm back to pumping to increase and keep up supply until he's up to it.

OP posts:
ticklebug74 · 16/07/2010 22:25

Sorry, nothing helpful to tell you but I have been where you are and I know how you feel. Just wanted to let you know you are doing a great job and that it is hard but you will get there. It may just be a growth spurt but I found once you start the formula top ups it is hard to let go because you never trust your own supply and every time they cry you assume it is hunger. Just try and go with the flow and enjoy your baby - I dwelled so much on feeding that I forgot to enjoy my DD and when my DS came along I was pressured to top up once again but refused and just trusted my supply and he became a happy bf baby. Maybe try feeding more often? Or contact you local NCT Breastfeeding counsellor for some support. Take care.

thisisyesterday · 16/07/2010 22:38

hi fabangusmum

it's really hard when you've been giving top-ups, to be able to trust your supply.
if you were pumping enough for all his feeds I think it would be fair to say it was fine to just give him the breast. and of course if he cries or asks for more then feeding direct from the breast is, of course, the best way to build your supply up

what I would say now is that it would really be best for you to talk to a qualified breastfeeding counsellor and work with them to drop the formula (if that's what you want to do) and go back to exclusive breastfeeding
it IS possible, you just need the right advice and you need to be able to trust that he is getting enough

where in the country are you? there is a list http://www.laleche.org.uk/pages/groups/groups.htm here of la leche league groups (just click on the appropriate link on the left)

or call one of the breastfeeding helplines? i found it was better for me to be able to see someone face to face

also you may have a local baby cafe where you could see someone?

fabangusmum · 17/07/2010 22:30

Thanks, yes I think you're right, I will get back in touch with my NCT BF counsellor. Poor little guy has been crying for the breast today but so unhappy when it can;t give him anything so I'm pumping like crazy - even as I post this!

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