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Infant feeding

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

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Original poster

Reestablishing supply when been away from baby

10 replies

isisisis · 22/01/2014 16:13

Afternoon all, just wondered if anyone had any tips/ reassurance about re establishing when you've been away from baby for a while?
I was away from my EBF 22 week old for 4 days whilst I was in hospital. I did express a bit, but not as much as I planned, as I was in a bit of a morphine induced haze! I was only meant to be having day surgery so I hadn't really planned how to keep my supply going but things turned out to be a bit more dramatic then we'd planned for.
I've been back feeding her for 4 days. She's taking a lot longer to feed, needs feeding more frequently & is waking much more in the night to feed. I'm feeding her as frequently as possible, both sides at each feed to try & get things going but just don't feel like I did before. I've always been very leaking/spurty so I just feel like there's not a lot there anymore.
My plan is just to keep lots of skin to skin, lots of feeding & things will go back to normal - eventually! My husband & mum, who are both very pro breastfeeding ( mum fed me to 15 months), are gently suggesting formula at night so I can rest & recover but I think if I do this I'll never get back on track. I'm really lucky that they're doing everything else so I am literally just doing feeds & cuddles.
Anyone got any ideas how long things might take? Any suggestions or things I haven't thought of ?

OP posts:

mia8 · 22/01/2014 19:05

No advice I'm sorry but I wanted to say good luck and all the best with it! Sounds like you've been through a lot and I hope it goes as smooth as possible x

tallulah · 22/01/2014 19:11

I bf my DD until she was 4. We only stopped because I had to have surgery, and I was in hospital for 5 days. Once I was home she asked to feed again and I told her there would be no milk but she could try if she wanted. It was about a week (and obviously not feeding very often at that stage) and she told me the milk had come back.

I didn't do anything special, but I've often read on here about fenugreek increasing supply. Also oats, and plenty of fluids. Sounds like you are doing everything right.

Original poster

isisisis · 22/01/2014 19:38

Thank you both for your replies. I planned to feed her to about 12months & this has really put a spanner in the works. I feel like she's a newborn again - I'm constantly thirsty & starving hungry & she's constantly feeding. I've had to bring her into bed since I've been home to get any rest, she's normally really happy in her cot with just 1 night feed. My thinking is just to go with what she wants & I can deal with any bad habits I've created once I'm better.
I think DH is quite worried about my recovery (I've had major abdominal surgery) but I really want to do this. I'm also feeling stupidly guilty for being away from her (before I'd only left her for 4hours max) & that I can't pick her up at the moment. On the plus side, I can't possibly bend enough to do any nappies!
Hopefully another few days & we'll be back on track.

OP posts:

minipie · 22/01/2014 22:08

I think Kellymom has some pages about relactation that might help?

Good luck

Joskar · 22/01/2014 22:51

I don't think the odd bottle would hurt if you need to recuperate. Feed her as much as possible through the day and maybe try and express first thing in the morning. Your supply would have been pretty well established at 22 weeks. Kellymom has some useful articles but if a few bottles help you get some rest so you are strong enough to feed her the rest of the time you're probably OK to do it. I wouldn't worry about bad habits. Deal with today and tomorrow can take care of itself.

Original poster

isisisis · 23/01/2014 18:44

Thank you both for your replies. I've had a look at kellymom, I don't think things are as serious as having to relactate, fortunately. I think things are starting to improve - she's been going longer between feeds & only had 2 feeds overnight. Hopefully another few days & we'll be back to normal. Apart from feeding I'm doing absolutely nothing so that I can concentrate on getting better (recovery's expected to take 6-8weeks), I'm really lucky that my Mums come to stay & is doing everything else. I'm a rubbish patient though & incredibly impatient to be back to normal!

OP posts:

minipie · 23/01/2014 19:03

that's great news. Just keep on doing what you're doing in that case and hooray for your mum.

Superworm · 23/01/2014 21:53

Feed, feed and feed

Your supply will increase the more you demand. It's totally doable as you are pretty established at five months.

My supply completely diminished once after an awful D&V bug. DS fed non stop for days and it was back within a week.

Original poster

isisisis · 27/01/2014 15:36

Thank you all for your positive support. We're now 10 days post op & feedings back to normal. It was a bit of a slog but we've done it.

OP posts:

worldgonecrazy · 27/01/2014 15:43

It's completely doable.

Unfortunately it's difficult to get out of night feeds as that is when our milk-producing hormone is so active. I found going to bed very early helped a lot - something about an hour before midnight being worth two afterwards.

I had a problem with supply when I was away for a couple of days - my HV organised a hospital grade pump for me to use and we got back within a couple of days, plus I ate fenugreek until I started to smell like an Indian takeaway.

So glad that you've got your supply back.

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