Breastfeeding query - dd 4 weeks

[Aprilshowers]

I am a Mumsnet Virgin and am hoping that you can offer me advice/support with breastfeeding. My DD is 4 weeks old and whilst we were in hospital (10 days) I exclusively breastfed. The birth was very traumatic as I was induced at 36 weeks as I developed pre eclampsia on top of already being an insulin dependant diabetic and therefore it was all very medical with lots of intervention. On top of those problems I also had a significant post partum haemorrhage and ended up on the High Dependency Unit requiring a blood transfusion.

By the time we were discharged form hospital I was exhausted and we gave DD formula to allow me some sleep/rest - over the following two weeks we have become 'formula junkies' and DD has been having more and more formula and less breast resulting in a rather pathetic milk supply.

I am not happy about this but accept that at the time it was the right decision but I do now want to resume exclusively breastfeeding. On advice from the NCT and midwife I am ensuring that DD goes to the breast each feed (2 1/2 - 4 hourly) and feeds for as long as she likes until she spits the nipple out. I am also offering the other breast most times. After each feed from me I am afraid that I can't help but feel inadequate when she then guzzles down 3oz of formula. This is despite her feeding from me for up to 1 hour.

We are only on day 3 of trying to exclusively breastfeed so appreciate it is early days but what sort of timescale am I looking at before a) I see some improvement and b) I can realistically drop the formula 'top up' feeds.

Is there anything else I can do to stimulate the supply and speed up the process?

Finally and perhaps more naively, when my milk supply increases do I presume that she will just be more satisfied after her feed as she is getting more out as opposed to her having to feed for longer?

Thank you in advance.

Just wanted to post a further update...

Went to the breatfeeding counsellor who confirmed that the positioning needed 'tweeking' - we worked at it together for quite a while and I get the idea of what we need to do but DD doesn't seem quite so sure.

Also went to the GP to review my UTI and also to talk about nipple pain. I had started to get shooting pains in my breasts so he now treating me for thrush. Breasts are still very sore so am not feeding DD at present but am trying to express what I can.

I am now at that stage that I feel like calling it a day- my milk supply is really low, we can't get the positioning right, DD is thriving on the formula and I am still unwell. Not certain how much longer I can say 'I'll give it another week' but I seem to be on some guilt trip as soon as I decide to stop feeding feeling in some what that I have not tried hard enough. Is this a common feeling when contemplating giving up B/F?

April, really sad to hear your difficulties with bf.

If you are expressing instead of feeding and want to keep your options open for a return to bf 'direct' you need to express as often as the baby would feed - prob at least 8 times inc at least once at night. That is a real challenge, I know, but expressing less than this exacerbates any supply issue.

Only you can decide if and when 'enough is enough' but you don't have to make a final decision to stop if you don't want to....you can carry on putting your baby to the breast for comfort even after you've actually stopped transferring milk, if you like. Just go with the flow and see what happens.

In fact, putting her to the breast just when you feel like it is often a good way for the baby to practise getting the positioning right. When the baby is desperately hungry it's often the worst time for teaching/practising positioning.

Good luck whatever you do

Dear Aprilshowers,

Sorry to hear that you are having a difficult time.

Perhaps see what happens when the thrush is sorted. You'll hopefully be feeling alot better and this will help with positioning. Once the nipple & breast pain has gone positioning could be alot easier as you wont be feeling uncomfortable from this. Tiktoks idea to keep your options open is useful. When the thrush has gone you might want to re-evaluate and you'll have the benefit of choice.

Whatever you decide you should feel good that you have breastfed your dd - this is something to be truely proud of. You've come up against problems and you have challenged them. I feel that you are a strong parent for this and I acknowledge the efforts you are giving to provide what instinct is telling you to do for your dd.

Wishing you all the best

hi aprilshowers, just to say, thinking of you. as you say, your dd is thriving on formula and you've had it seriously, seriously tough with your own health right from day 1. i wouldn't 'advise' you but i shouldn't think that anyone who wants to bf finds it easy to decide to stop. but from numerous posts on other threads, people look back on the struggle and say that once a little time has passed, the decision is such a small part of what being a parent is about.

this all sounds very po-faced - I hope that whatever you decide, you can get on with enjoying your thriving dd - assuming that you are starting to enjoy motherhood at all with such a nightmare start! as my v v experienced antenatal teacher said - feeding a baby would be easy if it weren't happening after labour. best wishes.