Hello,
Am a new mum and trying to move my baby from a formula feed diet over to a breast milk one. Thought I'd start a thread for some moral support.
Baby born and couldn't get her to feed. She was very sleepy. Breast feeding advisor taught her to suck on day three but she struggled to latch on as wouldn't open mouth wide or keep tongue down or stay awake. Had slight jaundice but we cleared it up with day light.
Day five had lost 13% of birth weight. But was feeding well all that day. But feeds were taking 2.5 hrs for 30 mins of feeding because she kept falling asleep, etc
Then refused to take boob from day six to day. We were advised to feed her formula as she lacked energy to eat and was very lethargic. I became very distressed and was only getting an hour of sleep each night.
On day seven advised to feed her formula and baby bounced back by day eight. Now able to eat at breast and is putting on weight.
Currently being bottle fed every 3-4 hours of 70ml or 90ml. Given boob for at least 30 mins before bottle. She takes it in the day (and can be there an hour with a few little fall asleep episodes and wake ups) but won't at night.
We've reduced each formula feed 10ml so in effect we have cut out one formula feed. We also give her at least one bottle of my expressed milk each day. So I guess we're down to six formula bottles at the moment. And plan is to keep reducing by 10ml every day or two assuming she continues to feed and put on weight (as she's still below birth weight).
I also put her on whenever she's hungry between feeds. And this happens about half the feeds.
Have ordered a hospital rental pump too so I can express more and replace formula with my milk.
Anybody care to join me on this journey so it's a bit less lonely?
All tips welcome.