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Infant feeding

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

Original poster

2 wk old Babe has put on 11 oz in three and a half days

44 replies

princesspeahead · 21/09/2003 19:45

i.e. since I went on the bottle. I was clearly completely starving him before - I'm obviously delighted that he is now thriving but slightly crippled with guilt about being so crap at breastfeeding that he should have been so underweight.

He still has 9 oz to go before he regains his birthweight, but at this rate he'll probably have done it by tomorrow morning.

Aughghghghghghgh

OP posts:
pupuce · 21/09/2003 20:05

Are you mixed feeding ?
Good news that he is doing better.... must be a big relief !
I don't think you are crap at BF - you have tried really hard! Jasper could tell you how hard she tried and it FINALLY worked with baby 3 and domperidone !

Enjoy baby - that is what is MOST important

Batters · 21/09/2003 20:32

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

aloha · 21/09/2003 21:07

Don't feel guilty. He may not have got fat on your breastmilk but he still got those very important antibodies and a boost to his immune system which is just as important.
Have you tried the Domperidone (Motilum) as it might make it easier for you to mixed feed, if you want.

jasper · 21/09/2003 21:41

DOmperidone, my favourite drug! Def. worth a try if you are still bf a bit.
Glad your baby is thriving.

tiktok · 21/09/2003 23:16

PPH - if you want to continue bf, then of course you can... why feel crap about things? You said yourself the midwife said his chin would make it harder for him to latch effectively.

Of course, too, he has to get food of some sort !

You don't say if you have tried any of the suggestions posted here - sometimes, it can be hard to pick up the phone to call a counsellor, but I hope you will consider it - lots of people here have told you how helpful this can be.

Also - did you feel able to feed more often? I know you said you weren't feeding more often than 3 and a half hourly because you felt your breasts weren't full, though hope we explained that feeling full is not needed. Softer breasts have milk too

In fact, for most newborns, three and a half hourly probably isn't enough, and isn't enough to build up and maintain a good milk supply. Most newborns feed rather more often (though not necessarily regularly) than this.

The key to it all is effective positioning and attachment, though - hope your midwife, or a counsellor, can help you with this, if this is what you want.

Hope your baby continues to thrive

sobernow · 22/09/2003 08:51

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster
princesspeahead · 22/09/2003 09:59

ahh, thanks everyone. still mix feeding a bit but tbh that isn't going to last long i don't think - he feeds for an hour or so and then glugs 3 oz out of a bottle when i know that without the bf he would take 4oz. a bit soul destroying to thonk he is getting so little from me. not to mention knackering when a feed then lasts an hour and a half or so. tried expressing as well, again, an hour of that and I end up with a scant ounce. and seriously bruised nipples from my electic pump.
pupuce, it isn't because my breasts feel soft that i think they are empty, it is because he stops sucking, starts headbutting me and then takes himself off and cries in frustration!
I'll keep going for a bit but I assume that he'll be pretty much fully bottlefed in the next week or so and I'm alright with that now, mentally i'm certainly feeling a lot better just by seeing how improved he is on it.

OP posts:
pupuce · 22/09/2003 10:05

Then I think Domperidone would definitely help.... good luck and don't beat yourself up!

tiktok · 22/09/2003 11:00

PPH - feeding for a long time that never ends in a happy baby means the feed is not as effective as it could be. I think - from what you have told us - this has been going on from the start, as we said on the other thread, when a week ago he wasn't pooing. It seems to me (sorry to bang on about this!) that position and attachment has never really been right for you and him, right from the very start, and this leads to long, unsatisfying feeds (exactly what you are experiencing) and a gradual reduction in milk supply (ditto) , speeded up if supplements (necessary as they are) are given (ditto).

It's not by any means too late to take action about this, but if you feel happier accepting what's happening, knowing what you know, then that's fine, of course....only you know what you feel you can do

CnR · 22/09/2003 12:21

PPH - I went through a similar thing with my DD so started mixed feeding at about 2 weeks (although first top up at about 5 days - just kept torturing myself 'till the 2 weeks). Don't feel guilty at all, you did your best and now you are doing what's best for you and your baby. Glad to here he is now doing really well. Well done!

CnR · 22/09/2003 12:23

Forgot to add - I gave up mixed feeding at 6 weeks, and DD has always thrived.

Sweetypie · 22/09/2003 12:45

Good news if you are happier - but I don't think we mumsnetter should tell you that you should not feel guilty ! Only you can decide what is right for you!
I think Tiktok gives great advice - it has helped me in the past... thanks Tiktok! And I also had very little milk (that's why my first was only breastfed for days )and finally someone (a breastfeeding counsellor) really helped me with my second child as I was about to give up too... I went on to breastfeed for a year.

motherinferior · 22/09/2003 12:53

I'm soooooo glad he's doing better.

sunchowder · 22/09/2003 15:27

PrincessPea, good to hear from youI wanted to ask, but was waiting for you to POST. You have already given him some wonderful antibodies as Aloha said (which is more than I did). The pressure that we put ourselves under is self-imposed, so hard to see that when we are in the middle of it. Love and comfort and so important to baby Miles, along with delicious milkwhere ever it may come from,it is just another mommie helping Miles out right? A cow mommie or a goat mommie...I guess that they don't have rice and soy mommies...

Original poster
princesspeahead · 22/09/2003 16:40

sunchowder, you make me laugh and are very sweet, thank you!
tiktok, you are probably right, but I just feel that it is impossible and have given up. I was never very good at things I wasn't very good at if you know what I mean. I'm unsure about the domperidone because I don't like taking drugs for an effect other than the one it is used for (probably because I'm from medical parents) and I can't find any gp or anyone to tell me that it is OK to take. And I feel strange about taking something because it is recommended on a website, no offence to anyone. Does that make sense?
Anyway thank you everyone for all your support etc, it has been really kind, and all of the postings saying I mustn't feel guilty and do what I feel is right for ds have really helped me through this as well...

OP posts:
Frenchgirl · 22/09/2003 17:01

hello pph, I haven't posted on this subject as I am rather ignorant... but I wish you good luck with the feeding, it's good to know little Miles is putting on weight again.
by the way, I keep thinking that domperidone sounds very much like Dom Perignon, in which case I'll have some

pupuce · 22/09/2003 17:20

This is probably too late but for any other mum who would hesitate to take Domperidone for the same reason... here is the medical endorsement that you are looking for from Dr Newman

Many hospitals and Drs do recommend Domperidone for this use - and some are just unaware.

bunnyrabbit · 22/09/2003 17:23

Hi PPH,
Am in the same position as you I think. DS has lost 3oz since Thursday and the HV thnks it may be that my mastitus is affecting my milk flow. Can't seem to express with the hand pump, although I will have a go again later on, so as I only fed him 30 mins ago, and that was 30mins on each breat, (and boy are my nipples knackered) I have a sterilized bottle and a carton of formula waiting.

I had my tears and tantrums this morning when I found he had started losing weight again, but like you I have had serious positioning problems. I had an NCT breastfeeding councillor round this morning and she was very reassuring and helpful so I would reccomend contacting the NCT if you haven't already. Problem is, as I've been so unwell and not eating, I know I'm still going to have to give him formula. I'm in tears as I write this so I know how you feel, but in the end it's what's best for both mum and baby that counts isn't it?

BR

aloha · 22/09/2003 17:39

Bunnyrabbit, not eating and not being well doesn't mean you can't breastfeed. It WON'T affect the 'quality' of your milk, that's for sure. Milk is milk whatever you eat and drink. I'm not trying to put pressure on you, just to let you know not to worry about milk 'quality'.

pupuce · 22/09/2003 17:50

BR - Aloha is right... what do you think poor African (starving) women do ????

When I posted about Dr Newman I should have said that Tiktok was right - positioning is soo key.... if you get that right - usually milk supply improves and if it doesn't than Domperidone is an option.

If you are determined to BF - you will do it BR!!!! Get the BFC back if you need to.... loosing a bit of weight is OK ! You would be amazed at what you can do... and what you get going it WILL get easier.... lots of hugs to you too

LIZS · 22/09/2003 17:55

BR

Are you are getting treatment for the mastitis ? I assume the NCT counsellor will have helped with positioning etc but has she also given you tips to sort yourself out. It is better to keep feeding or expressing to help the blockage clear but I know from experience that this is difficult when you are tired and hurting. Try to have a hot shower before you expect to feed or use hot flannels/cold ice pack as this helps open the ducts. Make sure you drink plenty even if you're not eating well and you can continue to feed.

good luck,

bunnyrabbit · 22/09/2003 18:45

Thanks for the encouragement. DS woke up crying again so bit the bullet and put 1 oz formula and fed him whilst crying all over him and saying soothing mummy type things. He drank it all and then proceeded to throw it all up over DH, then went to sleep on his chest!!

Tried to express with the hand pump to no avail. Managed to express a bit by hand but it takes so long my back was aching from leaning forwards. Yet I normally drip everywhere before a shower and can easily get the milk flowing to start.

Maybe they're right and I don't have much milk?
Does anyone know where I can hire/buy and electric pump??

BR

aloha · 22/09/2003 18:52

Don't know about pumps, but believe me, if you are dripping everywhere you have PLENTY of milk! And all of the very best, perfect quality. I suspect if your baby chucked the milk up then went to sleep he wasn't really hungry, either. Good luck with the treatment for mastitis - sounds horrid. I'd forget about expressing if it's difficult for you at the moment and concentrate on getting the positioning right. If it hurts for more than a few moments I'd guess the position is wrong. I'd constantly take ds off and reposition him in the early days. I know me, and if breastfeeding hurt and was horrible I might well have given up, so I worked really hard to make sure it didn't hurt, and in the end ds could be on there for an hour (comfort sucking) and I didn't feel it at all.

LIZS · 22/09/2003 19:16

I'd agree with Aloha , doubt he was crying with hunger, more likely trapped air ! Did you try the shower etc before trying to express. I never really dripped much and managed to fed both ds and dd so sounds like you have plenty to me. I think you could try your local NCT (the BFC should know) or even the local Maternity unit to see if they can lend you a pump, at least until you get over this hurdle. You can certainly buy them from larger chemists, Boots or NCT catalogue.

Good luck

pupuce · 22/09/2003 19:34

Yes the NCT should know where you can hire... but I too feel that your baby did not throw up for NO reason... likely that he was not hungry ! Get the counsellor back - I am sure she can show you how to hadn express (better) as it should not be difficult... has anyone shown you how to locate your milk reservoirs ? That would allow you to know where to express from! This varies from one mum to the next.... Easier said then done but RELAX....