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Infant feeding

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

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Original poster

Is it too late?

23 replies

loopybear · 02/09/2006 21:52

I gave up BF 2 weeks ago DD was 2 weeks old. I now regret giving up. Is it too late to restart? I've started skin to skin and letting DD suckle have tried expressing but don't get much. about half an ounce. Any suggestions or have I left it too late?

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VeniVidiVickiQV · 02/09/2006 21:54

I think you can relactate. I hope someone who knows more about this will be along in a minute.

VeniVidiVickiQV · 02/09/2006 21:55

mears or tiktok

tortoiseshell · 02/09/2006 21:56

I'm sure it isn't too late - skin to skin is great, I guess you're giving bottles, so gradually cut down the amount in the bottle - always offer the breast first, then the bottle as a 'topup' and gradually increase the proportion of breast. Remember what you express isn't a very good guideline of how much baby is getting.

Tiktok is fantastic on these threads, and hunker, and one thing they suggest is getting in touch with a NCT counsellor.

Congratulations on your dd!

Original poster

loopybear · 02/09/2006 21:57

Thanks I just hope I can do it.

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Original poster

loopybear · 02/09/2006 22:00

I'm just paranoid about DD not getting enough and getting ill. I offer breast first and then bottle when she stops.

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laundrylover · 02/09/2006 22:11

Just offering my support Loopy - keep trying and also do a search on the messageboard as there are a few old threads on this....
BTW don't get hung up on expressing - DD2 is exclusively bf but I am crap at expressing. Obviously she is getting more than 2oz per feed tho as she is a little porker!!
Put the pump away and leave your baby to do the suckling - she will do a much better job.

kiskidee · 02/09/2006 22:14

babies also enjoy bf in the bath. get someone to hand her to you for a long bath at least once a day. my dd would never stop feeding in the bath if you let her. this would be a good way for her to stimulate your milk supply even if she isn't getting much and both of you getting washed at the same time.

laundrylover · 02/09/2006 22:17

Have also heard good reports on Fenugreek (tea or tablets) to boost supply so may be worth a try?
I do hope this works out for you, good luck.

adath · 02/09/2006 22:17

I gave up and re-started again after a horrible start with DD and the fact you ahve milk there is half the battle.
If your DD is happy to latch on then just get feeding as much as you can to get your supply up.
If you can go to bed and do nothing but feed her, the more you feed the more you will produce.
It was ahrd going for a few days but within a week she was back on and I was getting pretty much eough milk.
Try not to give too much formula if you give any though as this will mean she is not feeding off you and thus making it harder to get your supply up.

It is not too late good luck.

bramblina · 02/09/2006 22:27

Keep going. You'll get some great advice, and info from tiktok on here. I'm sure you'll be fine. Good luck.

fireflighty · 02/09/2006 22:28

I'd have thought definitely not too late and having milk there is half the battle, you just want to get your supply up to match demand. One thing - don't worry about how much you get when expressing btw, as it's not an accurate measure of what you've actually got. I'd guess that as well as loads of skin to skin and as many attempted feeds as possible it probably could be worth doing some expressing, to stimulate your supply even more, just don't read too much into the amounts you get, if that makes sense. Definitely if it was me I'd also ring a BF counsellor though.

Original poster

loopybear · 03/09/2006 07:44

Thanks will definately try BF in the bath. DH is being very supportive. DD is fussing when I try to latch on but she goes eventually. Nipples are sore but I'm guessing that's because they need to get used to feeding again. Will also try Fenugreek tea.

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LaDiDaDi · 03/09/2006 10:37

I mix feed and had recently worried that my supply was dwindling so I asked my GP to prescribe Domperidone which can increase supply. I take 20mg three times/day and it seems to have helped so you could try this in conjunction with lots of time at the breast and the strategies suggested by the others.

tiktok · 03/09/2006 13:25

loopy, not it isn't too late - but you do need to be motivated and patient.

Expressing - do it at least 8x a day inc at least once at night, unless you are confident your baby is taking some feeds at the breast, in which case you will not need to exp quite as often. Think about cutting down formula gradually - check the amounts out with a bf-friendly HV or midwife.

Great - you're already doing skin to skin. Do it as much as you can.

Letting him suckle - ditto.

The soreness may be a sign she needs to have her position and attachment adjusted a bit.

Yes indeed - call one of the vol orgs and speak to someone about this.

Good luck

Original poster

loopybear · 03/09/2006 19:06

Are there any side effects to Domperidone? I've been expressing without much success. DD latches on to right breast with no problem but fusses and won't take left breast for more than a minute (was a problem before). DH is being supportive but my Mum said why bother she's thriving on Formula, which is true.

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3andnomore · 03/09/2006 19:36

Do you like Porridge? If yes, then start eating porridge/oats, as that is meant to help with increasing the milksupply!
Best of luck!

Original poster

loopybear · 03/09/2006 19:47

Thanks 3 will make some in abit to eat.

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micromummy · 03/09/2006 20:53

where we live there are several breast feeding groups where you can get some advice from someone with loads of experience who actually sees you feed, about whether attachment is OK, which could help with soreness - could phone breast-feeding helpline and see if there is anywhere near you? they also provide a bit of positive support if all around you are wondering why you are bothering..
I also could never express more than 4oz max, usually less, but baby grew like mad so clearly what the baby gets is more.
the key thing is probably to offer whenever baby seems interested and supply will then build back up.
best of luck! i have met lots of women who have managed to establish very successful feeding from your situation, so it can be done.

Jackstini · 05/09/2006 17:49

Hi Loopy - read this at the weekend and just wondered how you are getting on?
Fab news that you are trying bf again - well done

Original poster

loopybear · 05/09/2006 21:59

It feels like the world is conspiring I have mastitus again in both breast and a lump in the left one. GP was great I cried all over. she's given me strong antibiotics and advised that I let go of trying to restart BF as I feel so ill and it's hard work. WHat made me feel worse was she told she would have give me medication to help the milk production if I'd gone to before giving up, or if I hadn't got mastitus and the lump. I hold on to the fact that I have a happy healthy thriving baby and next time I'll be better prepared with advise and to ask for medication if milk supply isn't good. Thanks for asking Jack

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laundrylover · 05/09/2006 22:08

Loopy, well done you for trying and just concentrate on getting yourself better and enjoying your baby - your GP sounds lovely BTW which makes a change!
Jackstini - pop on to the March post natal thread and let us know how you are getting on eh? Sorry for hijack.

Original poster

loopybear · 06/09/2006 13:15

Thanks Laundry MN helps tons to as I don't feel alone. With next babe I'll be on here straight away for advise.

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Original poster

loopybear · 06/09/2006 13:15

Thanks Laundry MN helps tons to as I don't feel alone. With next babe I'll be on here straight away for advise.

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