Mixed feeding issues

[babyconverse]

I'm currently mixed feeding with a Hope to get back to breast feeding after a tongue tie and illness meant we didn't get established bf. I've been using the electric Philips avent breast pump and getting about 1 fl oz every 3-4 hours Ish. I'm trying to pump at night but eg last nigh I managed 20 mins on each breast at some point between 1 and 5 am as the rest of the time I was taking care of my ds. I'm wondering if it's worth trying a different pump which might be better at encouraging my supply to increase or if anyone has any other ideas that may help? I was looking at the Medela swing. He has also been bf but typically only managing to get him on and latched about one or two feeds a day - and then he'll be on for over an hour and will still be hungry and needing formula when he comes off the breast. To be honest I'm getting more and more despondent with the whole thing.

I've had his latch looked at several times and been told it was /is good despite the fact that before the snip he'd destroyed my nipples and area and had the bf counsellor round who has advised me on the pumping etc and lots of skin to skin etc

He's a very hungry baby and 1oz every 3 hours feels barely worth it ....

Any advice?

[TheTravellingLemon]

Just keep going. It is really hard, but it's only short term. In a couple of weeks it will all be much easier.

[babyconverse]

Thank you everyone. We've got guests swapping over today but I have the house to myself and ds tomorrow so planning an entire sofa day then. Got him asleep on me now but I really struggle to get him to latch on one side in the night and when I tried this morning - just got to keep trying I guess. I always assumed if be able to breastfeed and never imagined it would be this difficult.

[SouthYarraYobbo]

I second just taking to the couch and letting him feed. I had to do this with dd1 and it was grim. But it increased my supply.

Dd2 is mixed fed but I'm expressing as she had tongue tie issues that like pp after the snip she'd only feed a few times a day dropping down to eventually no feeds.

I have a thread here as my supply was dropping so much l wondered if it was worth continuing to express. A lovely poster linked to power pump site (am on my phone so can't find it). Google to see if it can help you to increase your supply.

[TheTravellingLemon]

You could try Fenugreek tablets to increase your supply. Also, try to pump in the early hours of the morning (4/5am) for as long as you can on each side. You could try pumping after every feed.

For me though, the thing that worked the best was to plonk myself on the sofa and just feed and skin to skin for a whole day.

It's really hard to reestablish breastfeeding, but it is possible. It's a case of feed, feed, feed. Good luck.

BTW, I had the Swing and it's very good, but no where near as good as just continuous feeding.

[Forester1]

I recently had a similar experience as you with tongue tie and although I had continued to pump throughout I would say that I could only bf about a third of his requirements by the time he had the snip. I was advised to bf as much as possible and although my supply did start to increase it was pretty slow and with an older one to deal with I decided that mixed feeding wasn't for me and allowed my supply to dry up. You clearly want to bf so its worth persevering a bit more ( I don't think a different pump will make any difference) but if it doesn't work out then don't worry about it - you've done your best.

[Lopistrikke]

I think actual suckling stimulates supply more than pumping... Can you try sitting and letting him cluster feed for a few hours in the evenings? It's grim for while it lasts but it does boost supply.