Relactation. Help and advice needed.

[Haribosmum]

When I was pregnant with DS2 I was determined to b/f for at least 6 months. Things started off well but at 2 weeks he started to refuse breastmilk (off the breast and expressed in a bottle). My Health visitor at the time was not very helpful and just told me to put him on formula which i reluctantly did. However I have just moved house and got a new Health Visitor who has been VERY supportive of me trying to re-establish b/f. (Buy this time I was feeling very guilty about giving up and felt I had let ds2 down and still I do - I'm really depressed about it). I still have a little milk but not enough it seems for my son to want to latch on for any period of time. I also have 2 Medela Mini-Electric pumps (don't ask!) but they are not powerful enough to express what is there and so my milk supply is not increasing at all after 2 weeks. I have decided to rent an Medela Symphony pump and see if that works any better but I was just wondering if anyone else has been through this and had any advice? Thanks.

WELL DONE ! What a lovley thread this is

LOVELY - even !

WOMEN'S BODIES ARE A BLOODY MIRACLE... I thought I would just like to shout that out really loud !

Hurrah! Excellent that you've managed to get things back on track.

That is fabulous haribo - well done! What an inspiration

Told my hv what doctor had said yesterday and she looked very shocked. Gave me a very diplomatic response but I could tell she was not happy.

Got an extra half hour in bed this morning. Strapped ds2 to mummys boobs and he helped himself to brekkie. So much easier than making bottles!

Haribo,

everytime i read a response from you now, i makes me feel so happy and fuzzy

Im so happy for you.....

Well I aim to please determination! I'm almost jumping with joy every time he latches on! Had a whole 30 mins feed earlier and then WENT TO SLEEP SATISFIED!!!!!!

Yes I breastfeed, I feed by breast!

Fantastic

Adrenaline is pumping all round!

yay for haribosmum

How about thinking of writing a letter to your PCT, sending a copy to the health visitor manager, outlining your exps with the supportive HV and the not supportive doctor?

I am so pleased for you!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Califrau - give those pom poms another shake from me!!
My Sister had to give up after she hurt her back and was told she could not relactate after 2 weeks - if only she had read this thread 5 years ago!

You are an inspiration for others and this is the kind of support MN is here for. Hope MNHQ are listening in, this is why they have to stay on line after March 7th!

Going to the doctors tomorrow for another unrelated issue. Not seeing the original doctor but will make a point of telling her I am breastfeeding again!

WOOHOO, maybe she will get her A**E kicked when it gets back to her..

Just think, if you were gulable (spelling) you would not be bfing now. How many other mums has that bitch ruined it for?

Yeah exactly! Maybe i should feed in the waiting room in the hope shr walks past?!

I would like the thank everyone who has given me words of support and advice on this thread. However I feel I should no longer post on here as comments I made on another thread are being blown out of all proportion and I have been verbally abused. I feel sorry for those of you who want to help people or have a genuine debate. Anyway I didn't want anyone to think I didn't appreciate the support and help, I couldn't have done it without ya!

Haribo,

come on.. you cant just not keep us (me!) updated on how you are getting on... just because these boards are FULL OF HORMONES! It will blow over in no time.. there are loads of people here who don't actually want to get into a "major disagreement" or "fight" but are here to listen to peoples problems, encourage, support and give impartial advice.

Haribo,

If you do feel too uncomfortable to hang around hear you could always go to
ivillage breastfeeding support chat room

OR

Breastfeeding.coms Message boards

I used to use both of these and the girls there are Very Supportive and understanding.

Well done that is soo cool what you've done, I really admire you for doing such an excellent thing for your baby.

Please don't go Haribosmum - it really will blow over and was just one of those topics that is best to avoid as it always blows up! I think you got a worse reaction because it had been debated (at leeeeeennnnnght) quite recently which you obviously weren't to know.

I really hope you decide to stay - you'll be able to give excellent advice now to people who come along with the same problems that you've had.

haribos - I don't know which thread you have had verbal abuse on, but whatever it was forget it. If everyone signed off every time there was one of those threads, there would be no MN, we have all got it in the neck at some stage because there will always be at least one person who doesn't like your views or the way you phrase your views, but the stubborn goats (like me) don't give up so easily

So pleased you have been doing well with bf, you and baby must be over the moon

Haribosmum
I was actually going to post a message of support on the other thread for you as I recognised you from here and realised that your comments had been taken in the wrong way. I thought it would just wind them up more so am posting here.
Everyone gets worked up by the small things when we have babies to look after! I had a real go at someone for bumping into the pram while lo was asleep the other day, poor woman! She was in the wrong place at the wrong time

Hope the BF is still going well. Your experience will be missed if you leave us.

Fantastic story Haribo.
Well done you and three cheers to yuor HV.Good to hear positive stuff about them for a change.

OK so maybe I won't leave just yet...but this still might be my last post on this thread. DS2 is lactose intolerent. He is on SMA LF but recently I noticed he gets windy even after breast milk. And I mean VERY windy, crampy and screaming in pain. Poor thing. He's ok with the SMA LF though. Tried the Colief drops that are supposed to break down the lactose in breast milk and normal formula but they just don't work for him. So
I have decided that this just isn't going to work for us. I feel better for trying, at least we went down with a fight eh? Also I really need some help in the form of anti-depressants and the doctor just won't give them me when I'm breastfeeding. It suddenly dawned on me yesterday (after crying my eyes out for seemingly no particular reason - although miscarrage 18 months ago still comes to mind now and again) that my baby is nearly 3 months old and I've spent most of that time feeling down and sad and I'm supposed to be on of the happiest people in the world right now. I don't want to miss out on his babyhood, they grow so fast. Anyway thanks again for all your support. At least I proved that relactation can work and offer support to another new mum now...