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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 possible to re-start bf?

20 replies

adensmum · 18/09/2006 09:28

my bub is 15 weeks old and at birth wasn't latching on properly and i was given no help and terrible advice causing him to pretty much suck my nipples off! i put up with it for two weeks before collapsing with exhastion from pre pumping while trying to let my nipples heal and was forced to turn to formula, i love i think its great and a massive life saver but i feel ripped off because i had SO much milk and it was just due to crappy advice plus i had my heart set on bf. So was just wondering can i restart or have i lucked out?

OP posts:

WeaselMum · 18/09/2006 09:58

yes, it is possible to restart - hopefully tiktok will be along soon to give more advice but meanwhile kellymom.com has some information on relactation. good luck!

moondog · 18/09/2006 10:02

Poor you.
It can be soooo hard.

With a lot of work and a full understanding of the commitment it involves,it can,although not too sure in your case.You must have stopped at least 10 weeks ago right?

Our experts will be along soon,I'm sure.

Original poster

adensmum · 18/09/2006 10:17

yeah stopped for at least 10 weeks probably even a few more

OP posts:

bigbabygapmum · 18/09/2006 10:43

I re started after ten weeks of bottles but I had been expressing...baby wouldn't latch on properly then after a ten week break he did! But I think it had something to do with me buying an orthodontic teat that made him practise opening his mouth wider ...I don't know.

bigbabygapmum · 18/09/2006 10:44

I have read (bizarre though it sounds) that women who adopt can breast feed if they persevere...

Original poster

adensmum · 18/09/2006 10:51

yeah I have used the orthodontic teats which are supposedly very "breast like" but I haven't been expressing

OP posts:

tiktok · 18/09/2006 12:02

adensmum, yes, it's possible, but it is not easy after 10 weeks. You need to talk about it with a breastfeeding counsellor and do some research on relactation (search on mumsnet or on the web). You need a co-operative baby, a supportive family and lots of motivation!

Breastfeeding is more than just the milk, though. Putting your baby to your breast is lovely, whether or not you build up a supply again. Just having that closeness may help with the sadness you feel about not doing something you had set your heart on.

Have a read of the info about it, and find someone to talk to, and then re-post and we'll try to help

Original poster

adensmum · 22/09/2006 00:30

Sadly i've looked into it and I just don't think it is possible for me to breast feed again.. Yesterday I glanced over at my best friend bf and she was playing with his hair and they both looked so happy, it hurts so much to think that I can never have that with my son and my only memories of bf are extreme pain and bleeding

OP posts:

Quootiepie · 22/09/2006 00:33

Have you tried putting baby to your breast? Or tried maybe expressing... with baby next to you?

Original poster

adensmum · 22/09/2006 00:40

no but theres nothing there to express he is almost 4 months old now so i think its all well and truly over.. I've talked to some people about it and they think its weird that i would even want to consider doing it again

OP posts:

Quootiepie · 22/09/2006 00:42

do you ever get anything? expressing or leaking?

Original poster

adensmum · 22/09/2006 00:48

nope

OP posts:

Quootiepie · 22/09/2006 00:49

oh. EVer get a swollen feeling when baby cries?

Original poster

adensmum · 22/09/2006 00:53

nope, and i just tried to put him to the breast and he wouldn't have a bar of it, which i guess confirms, well and truly over. I guess I can just hope for more luck with second baby (hopefully!)

OP posts:

Quootiepie · 22/09/2006 00:54

I think so... Have you tried ringing one of these breastfeeding support places though?

Original poster

adensmum · 22/09/2006 00:57

not about relactation, i called when i was having trouble the first time and got the worst advice

OP posts:

tiktok · 22/09/2006 09:13

adensmum, I feel sad for you....but you can still give your baby lovely skin to skin cuddles, both of you close and snuggly with no clothes between you. Your baby may nuzzle towards your breast, if you are patient and consistent.....but whether he does this or not is less important than the chance you give both of you to recreate some of that physical connection you are missing so much. That physical connection doesn't have to be a milky breast in the baby's mouth.

Feel sad, too, that there are ignorant people who tell you you're being weird. You are being a loving mother who recognises that something was important to you which didn't work out. What is weird about that?

What went wrong with the help you got from whoever you phoned? Could you try again on one of the other numbers?

Katerina75 · 22/09/2006 11:43

adensmum - I started a thread back in August with the title "message for anyone who wishes they had perservered with bf" - the messages I got back were lovely and really helpful.

I did try to restart bf but like your ds he wouldn't have it - not even for comfort - I decided it would be more stressful for both of us if I kept trying than if I moved on.

Trouble is, it's hard to move on - I too find it really hurts to see other mums and babies - but I am also genuinely happy that bf worked out for them. You're not alone in the way you feel, anyway. xx

Original poster

adensmum · 26/09/2006 00:19

thankyou so much for the supportive messages it makes me feel alot better about the whole situation

OP posts:

tempest23 · 09/10/2006 08:01

I have tried to try pumping and breastfeeding my 4 month old after a 2 month break and I found it really difficult. I called a breast feeding specialist who did however tell me that it was not impossible. She said:

You need to pump every 2 hours - 15 mins each side.
Getting your baby to suckle as much as possible is of utmost importance.
Create a concoction of boiled green papaya, fish bones and chinese red dates. Basically create fish stock by boiling threadfin and removing the flesh after 30 mins, then cut green papaya into pieces, put into stock and simmer along with red dates. Add slices of ginger if the smell or taste is not to your satisfaction. Drink this tea throughout the day, and make it daily. The Chinese swear by it.

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