Help for a first time bfer

[WriterofDreams]

Hi all,

My little boy was born on the 30th and latched on within an hour, fed really well throughout the day in hospital and during his first night and day at home. He was definitely getting something as he weed plenty. Then the second night it all went wrong. He stopped latching on at all or if he did latch on it was for a few seconds before he pulled away and began to get frustrated and upset. I persevered for as long as I could be he was hysterical so I had to express some milk and feed him with a bottle (although I think now this probably wasn't the right thing to do - perhaps a dropper would have been better?). Finally last night I had to give him formula because I was just not expressing enough and he absolutely will not latch on. I have since tried to latch him on a few times using expressed milk to calm him if he gets frustrated but it hasn't worked and I've had to give him a few formula feeds.

Is that the end of breastfeeding for us? I pumped and dumped this morning in the hope of keeping my supply going but I'm not sure that's going to work. Any advice?

Hmm it's very frustrating then that he seems to get a certain point and then it's clear he's sucking and sucking (with a very good latch) but nothing is coming out. He's not just sucking for comfort because he gets hysterical with hunger and sucks his hand for comfort when he's not hungry. I'm sure I'll get the hang of this eventually! I'm feeling a lot more confident now at least.

The flow of milk slows down through the feed so it probably gets to a point where it is frustrating for him - he's used to a bottle where the milk comes out quickly and he doesn't have to work for it. You could switch him to the other breast at that point.

I am now in the process of freezing milk because there is sooooo much of it :)

Stick with it, great to hear that your midwife was ace, its so difficult/frustrating/distressing I really
feel for you!

We were only up once in the night for a feed which was awesome, I was v.confused when i woke up at 9am to find myself quite literally dripping good times!!

Best of luck x