Is it too late?

[clarabella18]

I'll try and cut a long story short.

Ds born 8 days ago, tried breastfeeding first 2 days didn't go great, not much support. For various reasons I won't go in to just now I decided to give him a bottle on day 3.
My milk came through and I was leaking, boobs going hard etc and decided on day 6 to try te breast again to top up from his bottle. He seemed to be getting something as he had a bit of milky dribble from his mouth.
Noticed yesterday (day 7) that boobs felt very soft and not leaking. Tried to hand express to see if I could get them going and literally got about half a dozen drops. Put baby on to see if tat would help but I think he was just using me as a comferter.

The question is do inpersevere or have Iisswd my opportunity an my milk is away? I am considereing getting a hand pump if it will help it to come through.

Your advice is appreciated!

As I understand it, its never too late. Women who have adopted babies have been able to start breastfeeding!

But you need to keep removing milk from your breasts often to stimulate your supply. Hand expressing is good but you need to keep it up, I believe its atleast 8 times in every 24hrs including in the night. Ask your hospital / mw if they have pumps you can borrow or hire. Your local breastfeeding support group might also be able to help (search here).

In the meantime keep offering the breast to your ds. Have plenty of skin to skin (bare chest, lean back, plop him on top in his nappy, blanket over the two of you). And keep giving him his milk, whether formula or whatever you can express - try from a cup, syringe or spoon in case he gets to used to the bottle.

Try one of the helplines as they may be able to help you make a plan to pull this off.