DESPERATE and CONCERNED

[sistergrim]

Please help me. My 2 day old son is really struggling to breast feed and doesn't seem to be latchng on or making much effort atall to suck. What do I do? Midwife has said to give some formula in the emantime but am quite against it though obviously don't want to harm my baby by him going without - really don't think he has had hardly anything at all since born and `i mean virtually nothing. My breats are now rock solid so assume the milk is coming in. Midwife said thought nipples did not stick out enough. Am going to a clinic tomorrow but what should we do, how long can i leave baby this way?

She is a counsellor, and her job is to find out from you what you can do and what suits you and what is possible for you....nothing she says is set in stone If she is unapproachable on this, I would be very suprised. Remember, it's not what she thinks, it's what you can do, that counts.

The point is to find someone kind, knowledgable, patient and understanding, who knows that the issues you are struggling with are important to you, and who can support you in your goals.

If you are too worried about approaching the counsellor again, then someone else should fill the bill.....but you are the best person to choose them

Oh gosh, sistergrim. You are doing a WONDERFUL job here. I totally feel for you. It's great that you've managed for this long, so give yourself a pat on the back. Most people would have given up AGES ago. Your head must be buzzing with all the kind advice people have given you, but what I will say is that your well-being is just as important as your little boy's. The absolute most important thing for both of you is that you enjoy your time together. Don't feel that you HAVE to carry on doing anything you don't want/feel happy about. Remember, everyone's different and no-one will think ill of you for just doing what is right for you.

Sistergrim, Tiktok's the expert here but the bit about shields caught my eye. I found the best way to stop using a shield was to slip it off off once my let-down had occured. The milk is coming down at a faster rate and my baby didn't seem to notice any difference and fed on quite happily. I was able to do away with the shields after a day or so. Hth and well done on feeding for so long!

Sistergrim, are you in the UK? The breastfeeding counsellors here are volunteers and do not charge for home visits.