Last Straw ....?

[CarrotCake13]

Hi all ,

Im new here and really desperate to get some advice or support because im really lost . So my lil 'un was born with tongue tie over xmas , it took 3 and half weeks for it be cut it took the HV calling the department and threatening them to get it done then as i was on a waiting list so prob would have been longer, despite being picked up the day she was born it was very late to be sorted in my eyes. Anyway it made bf a complete nightmare , very painful cracked nipples , cluster feeding for hours, and days on end - constant screaming for food and then I developed mastitis which I have now recovered from. Although I still have some damage to one my breasts but pain compared to before is much more manageable. Tounge tie did improve feeding after four days however...

Sadly I have been forced to add in formula feeds due to her not putting on weight on for two weeks ( during and just after TT was cut) as advised by health visitor and midwife , she also lost weight as well during the TT period, so we were admitted into hospital due to her not putting on weight :( the formula was started with one a night to now 4 per day as advised by bf adviser, I am now on a feeding plan to desperately put on weight on 3 hourly ( this was the only way to get out of hospital without further intervention feeding wise). I am on Domperidone (one week now) , eating more myself , ordered some Fenugreek tablets as advised by bf lady, pumping twice a day but with little coming out less than an 1oz due to how long feeds take up 1 hr + , or two or three hours of cluster feeding its hard to pump straight after. I have also tried babymoons which didnt help to much.

I have found this experience horrendous shes 6 weeks old and I feel like im trapped in a vicious circle with no end in sight. i am keen to bf in my heart I am devastated the TT wasn't dealt with sooner and as a result to be combined feeding its hard work feeding and then mixing up bottles and , sterilizing its never ending. Quite clearly bf alone is not working for her ( in terms of weight and happiness etc). I do feel "fuller" since the prescription but again it doesn't seem to be enough for her or help her put on weight alone without formula. I am also out of ideas of what I can do, I feel I have tried everything??? I am very restricted in terms of having to meet weight targets ( she has to be putting on significant weight to keep us out of hospital) which makes trying anything very hard.

Sorry for the very long message its been a long 6 weeks.....
many thanks in advance on any suggestions

Another organisation to try is bfn, have a look on their website to see if there is a drop in near you.
Also. Have tried breast compressions when feeding (should be able to google them or look on kellymom), that2 a good way to get as much as poasoble into you little one during each breastfeed and will also help with supply.

Good luck, you will get there x

I had a 2 hour session with a breast feeding co ordinator when DS was still losing weight at 10 days (before he had his tt snipped)- she told me about positions and latch etc.
I know what you mean about day sleeping-people always say to nap in the day but I've never found time. Mix feeding is hard- I feed DS off both boob then have to do a bottle and do sterilizing and stuff. It means a lot to me that DS gets some milk off me to stop me feeling like a total failure- although there really is no reason to. However the advantages should be that you can get out- I've made it to some groups and some shopping trips without having to worry about BF rooms etc.
I found that once I'd decided that I couldn't exclusively BF and was going to mixfeed I felt better- it's stopped feeling quite so all consuming- I just didn't want to regret not doing everything I could -but now I'm just glad DS is gaining weight and I'm smiling again. Good Luck with the BF co ordinator. Remember to go easy on yourself!!