Need help restarting breastfeeding

[Ninjamum1]

My baby is 12 weeks old, exclusively breastfed for six weeks, but he was always starving and cross and needing to feed every two hours. I always felt as though I wasn't producing enough milk to keep him happy.

I started combination feeding to get something in his tummy overnight, but on holiday two weeks ago he started to refuse the breast. I couldn't get comfy (need the same armchair at home) so gave in. He's now completely refusing the boob, and screaming blue murder until I give him a bottle. I'd love to carry on breast feeding, but he won't even try to latch on. Any and all help very gratefully received.

Would you be able to call a helpline so someone could talk you through it?
The NBH is 0300 100 0212.

The first thing I'd suggest is not to 'offer the breast' or try to latch him on. Just hang out skin-to-skin. Lie together. Have baths together. Don't pull him towards the breast. Bottlefeed him skin-to-skin close to the breast (look on YouTube for paced bottlefeeding).
Meanwhile get your supply maximised with regular pumping. Ideally every 3 hours in the day and no longer than 4 hour gaps at night. You don't need to wash and sterilise the pump every time you use it. Store it in a plastic bag in the fridge between pumps and wash once in 24hrs. You just need to sterilise bottles that have been drunk from.
You could hire a hospital grade double pump (like the Ameda Elite from ardobreastpumps.co.uk).

When your supply is maximised, you may get a letdown while you hang out. You may be able to hand express while you are together. The first time he latches again should be his idea, in a relaxed no-pressure setting. It may happen when he's sleepy or when he's bottlefed a little already and isn't that hungry. It might happen with a nipple shield.

It may help to have on-going support with a breastfeeding counsellor or lactation consultant. The ABM have a good leaflet on re-lactation and restarting that you can access online.

Good luck!