desparately trying to re-establish breastfeeding - can anybody help? Please!

[ThePoorMansBeckySharp]

dd is 7 weeks. i have been topping her up with formula from the time she was a few days old as she lost a lot of weight (she was early and very sleepy)

i have realised she is losing the knack of breastfeeding and I am trying desperately to re-establish it before she stops completely. I breastfed pretty much non-stop today until 2pm, then she was so hungry I had to give her 100ml of formula as I couldn't stand to see her crying with hunger

i have been doing skin-to-skin all day.

Is there anything else I can do? Is it a lost cause? I so, so badly want to continue to breastfeed

It's not a lost cause. You're doing the right thing to keep putting her to the breast and spending time skin- to-skin. It's also important that she gets the fluids and calories she needs whilst you work on re-establishing a full supply and working on her technique. There are some great tips on Kellymom kellymom.com/bf/got-milk/relactation/ but I'd really encourage you to contact a local BF counsellor in the morning. Try the national breastfeeding helpline on 0300 100 0212 and/or the NCT who often have people who can visit you for 1-2-1 support 0300 330 0700.
Good luck! Let us know how you get on? Jen xx

Its not a lost cause I'm sure if she is still breastfeeding to some extent. Some people even stop completely and start again.

But depending how much formula she has been having you need a plan of how to reduce it. Agree that you need to contact someone in real life, either on the phone or try searching here for a local group.

What are you giving the formula in? As you probably know milk comes out of a bottle more easily than from a breast so she could be getting frustrated. Other options are a cup or a supplimentor system.

Also try breast compressions, see here.

No experience of this but wanted to show my support!

I agree you need a firm plan of how to reduce the amount of formula gradually. This will help you to stay strong and have faith that she's getting enough milk. Even ebf babies can sometimes seem to be constantly hungry / unsatisfied so please don't assume this means she's not getting much you.

It would be worth bumping this thread in the morning so you get more replies.

Good luck X

not getting much from you

I was in a v.similar situation to yours with my DD. She is now almost 12 weeks old and is EBF, which still amazes me, given the rubbish start we both had! I started off BFing well, then at day 10 the midwife was concerned she wasn't gaining weight and was dehydrated so I was advised to supplement with formula. I felt very anxious that my milk was not plentiful enough to sustain her and I also had a lot of pain when feeding so was giving her more and more formula over the next couple of weeks. But I was determined to make BFing work and got lots of advice from different people. I spoke to a fantastic woman from La Leche League over the phone and she advised me to gradually reduce the formula over a few days/weeks, feed with formula first and finish a feed on the breast. From what I understood, the idea is that the baby is not going crazy with hunger when brought to the breast and will more easily latch on and enjoy the experience.
She also advised me to pump as often as I could, (including at night) as my supply was a bit low. I found it quite tiring but really worth it. I was amazed that my DD didn't seem to have 'nipple confusion' and seemed happy enough to take a bottle and then go on the breast. Hope it goes well for you and I second all the advice about speaking to breastfeeding counsellors, NCT etc. There is loads of help out there and I found that my fears of being judged for having a few weeks of giving my DD formula were completely unfounded. Another thing that has really helped me is going to BF support groups. It really boosted my confidence and made me feel less isolated.
All the best with it!