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Infant feeding

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Original poster

Can I get my milk back?

108 replies

alfiemama · 17/01/2011 14:09

Lo is coming up to 10 weeks old.
I bf until she was 4 weeks old but then got an infection, was very poorly, and well just couldn't manage it. Throughout all this time, I have pumped once in the evening to keep my milk going (ha ha daft I know), but it has dwindled. I am lucky if I get 1oz a day.

Lo has now been diagnosed with reflux and is struggling on ff, I now have got into my head that she was much better when bf and want to put her back on bm. Hubby is supportive and I have explained it will be a long haul, he is happy as long as we give ebm, as we had weight issues when she was first born, but I know A) I still have to put her to the breast and B) He will come round to my way of thinking Wink

Lo is happy to latch on and I have been putting her on as much as I can and supplementing her with formula, but my milk is still not increasing? How long should it be before I would see my yield increase?
Is there any tips or supplements I can take?

Ps I don't even seem to have any let down at the minute.

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fiveisanawfullybignumber · 01/02/2011 14:15

Hope it helps you alfiemama.Smile If your latch is deep enough, she'll get more out per feed apparently, which will in turn supply more. That and the domperidone certainly sussed it for us, infact DD was struggling with oversupply and too fast let down at one point, that's when I gave up the Domperidone.Grin

Original poster
alfiemama · 01/02/2011 14:22

Ive asked hubby to nip to the chemist, told him to say its for nausea, hope they don't quiz him too much.
Thanks for the info five, its really helped as he said the tugging and pulling is down to slow let down that and the fact she is instinctively trying to squeeze my boob, would suggest low supply. Looks like Im back to porridge for lunch and brekkie again Grin well until this wonder drug kicks in.

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fiveisanawfullybignumber · 01/02/2011 15:50

Good luck, let me know how it goes. How many are you going to take. I did the 3 tabs 3 times a day for a few weeks, that was more than enough for my needs. Good job as it does work out expensive tbh.
Remember to keep feeding as often as you can as well. Express too if you can (can recommend the Medela mini electric pump, it's got some oomph but not too expensive, Tesco's sell them, get that supply up.Grin

Original poster
alfiemama · 01/02/2011 20:32

thanks five. Hubby couldn't get to the chemist, so I'll get some tomorrow, will probably take like you have said, not sure on the doses you can take.

I'm having a real wobble tonight, Millie is very unhappy at the breast, so I have given her a formula top up, and hour later she was sick all over herself and through her nose, she started choking again.

I feel like there is so much pressure on me, bm if obviously better for her, but I'm not producing enough at the minute. Also when she is bf she seems really clingy to me and wont settle as much. I just want to enjoy her is that too much to ask.

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Original poster
alfiemama · 01/02/2011 21:32

Would a lactose free formula work? Just as a top until milk kicks in.

I'm left with the decision, formula but she will be sick and in pain or hungry.

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fiveisanawfullybignumber · 01/02/2011 22:28

You could try putting colief in formula, it's an enzyme that breaks down the lactose. It can help some babies. DD has prescription formula for weaning purposes and to get her used to it, as she will be unable to have cows milk when 1. Her intollerance is quite severe though.

Original poster
alfiemama · 01/02/2011 22:36

thanks five, we tried colief when she was younger for colic symptoms, but this was before the reflux was evident, didn't seem to make much difference and as we had her on a comfort feed the hv said there was no need for her to be on it as the comfort feed had been broken down.

But it maybe worth a go again.

Sorry just a bad night, I will be ok tomorrow

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fiveisanawfullybignumber · 02/02/2011 07:49

Tbh, most babies aren't lactose intollerant. If there is an issue it's more likely to be the cow's milk protein. Try to really push on with the BF, get the Domp today. If it doesn't go too well though after a few days, try asking your doc if you could try the hyperallergenic formula to see if it helps improve things. Also try cutting dairy/soy out of your diet at the same time. That means Vitalite spread on toast etc, rice milk in cooking, most biscuits except bourbons have dairy so check packets of food carefully. Cheap ketchup and most flavoured crisps, walkers especially have diary, the list goes on.............Hmm
Is she in pain with the reflux, or is she a fairly happy chucker? DS2 (now 9) was a happy chucker, he'd vom on anything or anyone, and a great shot from a distance.[grin)He was on comfort milk too.
DD3 however really suffered with acid. We literally couldn't put her down, she couldn't lay flat at all, not even on a play mat till she was about 4-5m old and eeven now sleeps on a foam wedge with velco straps that keep her up at 45 degrees. 4 months of constant screaming, it was heartbreaking not being able to comfort her.Sad

Original poster
alfiemama · 02/02/2011 11:00

Thanks five, feeling better today, given her bm all morning and not had dairy/soy and no sick. Thanks for the advice on foods, really means a lot, as I just didn't know where to begin.

I wish she was just a happy chucker, I could put up with that but she sounds similar to your daughter and seems in a lot of pain. Last night was awful, so I mixed up some gaviscon with cooled boiled water and syringed it down, it was awful and she was gagging on it, but gave her almost instant relief, so I know it is the dreaded reflux.

My only concern is she is havent bowel movements at the moment, not been now for 4 days, any ideas how long is normal with bm babies? When I first bm she was doing about 7-8 poos a day, which hv said is normal

So its bourbons for brekkie, dinner and tea for me Grin

Thanks again really appreciate it.
I know its not allowed in here, ah but bugger it {{hugs}}

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Original poster
alfiemama · 02/02/2011 11:03

Sorry just an after thought Grin. She also seems very windy, could this be poor latch?

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Original poster
alfiemama · 02/02/2011 17:30

No dairy today and no sick what so everSmile. She is like a different baby, very content and calm. I know it's early day's yet though.

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duchesse · 02/02/2011 17:46

Perfectly normal for BF babies to go days (two weeks is the longest I've heard!!) between poos. Fear not, as long as she seems healthy.

Original poster
alfiemama · 03/02/2011 16:35

Thanks Duchesse, she seems fine in herself just not feeding a lot.

I spoke to the hv and she said she has Transient Lactase Deficiency but as I said she had woke up with a dryish nappy this morning, she wants the Dr to see her tomorrow, so may be we will get some where. She has also prescribed us some colief. Does this sound right, do they vomit of this, I thought this was another name for colic?

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Original poster
alfiemama · 03/02/2011 22:04

Is it true this can be caused by changing milk or from ff to bf?
Sorry just have a sneaky feeling, I was being fobbed off.

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fiveisanawfullybignumber · 04/02/2011 08:00

It's just a tempory lack of the enzyme lactase. That's all colief is.
If you're off dairy and it's helping, it's more likely to be a cow's milk protein intollerance, again, should only be temporary. Have a good long chat to your doc. Hope he/she is BF friendly.
Well done for getting this far, have you started the Domperidone yet?
If you tell your doc about it, make sure you take a print out of Dr Newman's info. Mine kinda scoffed at me until he read it, then was quite intrigued, but still couldn't prescribe as it's not actually licenced for that use in the UK.

Original poster
alfiemama · 05/02/2011 18:46

Sorry Five, not been able to get on.
We didn't take her as rang up and explained nappies are fine, it was just a one off and we will monitor. I also thought if they give me some formula, it might make me lazy with trying to get my milk back. My ultimate goal would be no formula now. Got the Domperidone and have to say its a miracle worker pumped nearly 5oz this morning in one go. Boobs where actually engorged as well Smile

I am still on no dairy and there is no sick, so I think your right, so just going to keep going. She really is so much more content.

There is still no poo, but she isn't in any discomfort so not that worried.

I feel so lucky, to have been given another chance at breast feeding. To see her smile and look so content compared to the pain she was in when she was on formula, is just amazing.
She even unlatches, smiles and then goes back on, bless

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fiveisanawfullybignumber · 05/02/2011 23:06

So pleased for you alfiemama. Have an un MN type (((HUG))).
You deserve it, i know how hard you've worked at this!
Just keep feeding her, that'll get your supply adjusted well. Be careful you don't get too forceful a letdown. DD would choke a bit sometimes, it was quite strong on the domperidone. You should only need it for a week or so if you're anything like me.

Original poster
alfiemama · 06/02/2011 18:07

Aw thanks five. Milk is coming in thick and fast now, I know what you mean about let down, Ive managed to express 13oz from last night and today Grin.

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fiveisanawfullybignumber · 06/02/2011 21:29

Wow, result!
By the way, be prepared for her to get a little bit more sickly when you stop the Domperidone. It's speeds up digestion in baby as well as you.

Original poster
alfiemama · 07/02/2011 11:10

Can I just clarify you mean stop and not start? Just Miliie's been sick and heaving a lot but noticed its got lactase in. Back to drs on Wednesday.

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fiveisanawfullybignumber · 07/02/2011 11:21

My DD was always sick, but worse when she wasn't on Domperidone.
Hope you get her sorted out soon. Unfortunately most GP's are pretty useless when it comes to this kind of stuff.
Have you tried cutting down the Domperidone yet, you seem to have established good supply, as long as you keep feeding her regularly, your body should hopefully keep up now.

Original poster
alfiemama · 07/02/2011 11:32

It wasn't 13 oz in one go, over 2 and a bit pumping sessions. I'm only taking one 3 times a day. I will finish the box I have an then stop I think, but wonder if the lactase in it is making her worse.

She has been waking up from sleep, then she starts crying and wincing (reflux) and the heaving until she is sick which comes out of mouth and nose.

I feel like I need a back up plan and to know I'm on the right track.

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Original poster
alfiemama · 09/02/2011 12:29

Just a little update.
Been to the Drs, he said he can feel she is in discomfort with her tummy, doesn't think lactose intolerant but more likely the reflux is the main problem. Prescribed ranitadine and referred to a paed. Got to go back on Monday, but at the moment wants me to carry on with bf and formula, and put dairy back in my diet, to see if ranitadine helps.

bring on the butter Grin

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fiveisanawfullybignumber · 09/02/2011 15:33

Good luck, I so miss butter, and cheese, and creme fraiche!!!! Well done on getting a paed referal, shoul help more.
Madam didn't do well on ranitidine, but omeprazole did help. Cutting our dairy/soy came next, then a couple months later wheat/gluten. Baby steps with good results each one.

Original poster
alfiemama · 09/02/2011 19:31

Thanks Five, I really don't know how you do it, well I do, as you will do anything for your little one, but it is really hard, so hats of to you. You should be very very proud.
Like you said Baby steps from now on, but at least we are finally on the ladder.
Got to see hv tomorrow as shes having her injections, great timing eh. Hv is the one that said just a sicky baby [hmmm]

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