Think my supply has stopped - can it be restarted?

[scortja]

My son is 8 days old, I've had a lot of trouble getting him to BF - he doesn't latch properly, de-latches quickly while flailing and screaming.. Anyway the MW thinks he probably has a tongue tie which can be fixed but in the meantime she suggested I express because he was losing too much weight..

So I expressed right away and DS was very happy to take the bottle BUT I haven't been able to express anywhere near the necessary amount of mik since and have had to feed him with formula..

Now I have nothing left - is there any way to restart my supply? DS HATES me trying to get him to latch on and it seems to be especially the case now there's nothing there..

Just because you can't express doesn't mean you have no milk.

How often have you been expressing? Ideally it should be at least 3 hourly day and night.

The best way to increase supply is to have your baby feed from you. Have you seen a bf counsellor? They may be able to better help with latch.

scortja where do you live? If it's in London I can give you the contact of someone that can help you. She's a lactation consultant and a specialist in tongue ties.

scortja - this is an urgent situation. You should see a midwife - call the number you have been given and ask for a visit. (You will have been given a number for emergencies).

Eglu is right - frequent expressing is essential, and if you start doing this now you can turn things around. You need an efficient pump or else be very good at hand expressing. Express at least both breasts at least once each time, going back and forth between breasts when you see the flow lessening.

A breastfeeding counsellor may help, but she will also urge you to contact a midwife as well - this is your right to do so, midwifery care is statutory in the UK.

Don't leave it for a moment longer - get on the phone :)

Possibly not my plaxe as I'm just a mum not an expert, but my DD had an undiagnosed tongue tie, and so a rubbish latch, and we used the exagerrated latch technique - the flipple - for months - it really helped.. you could try it for latching to keep him stimulating the breast and he might find it easier - it stopped my DD from getting so stressed when latching.

Here is an animation (sorry the page is in russian but you don't need the text) or google the above terms...n users.iptelecom.net.ua/~vylkas/kinolatch.html

Hope that helps.

sorry for typos - one handed typing in the dark - feeding DD to sleep (hopefully!)