problems with combination feeding

[ammp32]

I have been combination feeding by 6 week old son for nearly two weeks now and I am really upset as he won't take my breast anymore. I should probably say that the reason I had to introduce formula was because I was readmitted to hospital with mastitis twice after giving birth. pretty unlucky, I know. I spent more than a week in total in hospital and was on antibiotics for two weeks. The breastfeeding was going fine at the beginning, I was told that my son was latching on ok and never actually found out why I developed mastitis.

The second time my son couldn't be with me straight away as I was admitted to standard hospital and they didnt have facilities for him to be with me. He stayed at home with my husband and had to be formula fed. I was really poorly with temperature nearly 40 and heart rate of 150. I honestly thought I was going to die, yet, I didn't want to give up bf. Eventually we got moved to maternity hospital so I could nurse my son. At that point my milk supply must have been affected as I could hardly express any milk and was also told by a pediatrician that my ds was not putting on enough weight and I should give him top ups after each feed. I felt like such a failure, I never even consider giving up bf, I wanted to give my son the best start in life.

Now I worry that he may have to be exclusively formula fed as he refuses to take my breast. Sometimes he does take my breast after I start him on a bottle, other times he spits it out. I once tried for 2 hours to with no successful. Is it possible that he got used to the bottle so quickly? I'm still expressing to give him my milk but don't always have the time to do this. It's difficult especially at night when he is so unsettled and I find it's extremely difficult to try for hours, but I don't want to starve him either.

Is there anything I can do to get him off the bottle? When I was in hospital he wanted to feed and I didn't have milk. Now I have milk and he doesn't want it. Please what suggestions do you all have? I really don't want to give it up, but realize I may have to. Have I done enough? I appreciate the support.

I've been working the other way, due to tongue tie J was too used to bottle by time it was snipped. I use a nipple shield & express to top him up afterwards as he is shocking at falling asleep on the breast.
I hope to ween him off nipple shield too but at the moment I'm just happy he goes on albeit it's a struggle maybe 50% of the time - tantrums, frustrated screaming. It takes patience & me staying calm - hard!! Sometimes I give him an ounce of expressed to settle him then put him on again. He's 4.5wks.
I know nipple shields might feel a step backwards for you (whereas for me they were a step forward) but might be worth a try?
Sounds like you definately have the perseverance for it after everything, you should feel v proud.

SASASI I have tried nipple shields but he just won't take it. I also tried to feed him every couple of hours to avoid him getting too hungry but it still doesn't make any difference. I have tried to give him a bit of expressed milk first and then try the breast, not luck either. He was perfectly fine with the combination feeding when I first introduced it, it's been the last few days, I haven't breastfed him at all, I think he now doesn't want to work for it. I tried for couple of hours the other day, he was screaming his head off and eventually I had to give up. I am not prepared to give up yet but don't know how much longer I can carry on like that, it's exhausting physically and emotionally. I really want best for him and worry I may be unreasonable persevering so much, yet, I find it extremely hard to let it go.

Have you got a breastfeeding cafe near you? Sounds like you might need some RL support from a specialist.

I really feel for you, sounds so similar yet arising from a different set of circumstances.
I don't have any more advice / help to offer - I hope someone knowledgable comes along soon & that it is just a passing phrase for you.
I'm planning on getting to 8 wks & if it's still stressful switching to formula - maybe a cut off point would be a gd goal for you?

Have you a breast feeding group near you op ? I think they have groups all around the country with breast feeding advisors who may be able to offer you support & advice .

Have you tried different positions ?
My dd had a cleft palate and we struggled for a long time so I understand how hard it is .x