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Infant feeding

Get advice and support with infant feeding from other users here.

Original poster

Help sisters newborn not BF

29 replies

archiesmummy · 25/03/2007 12:47

Hi, I'm asking for help for my sis. She just had baby thursday and DS was latching on fine until her milk came in.

She bought an electric pump, but hasn't got more than a few drops, so they are FF through cup.

I'm worried about her supply but have given her all the tips I know. I'm a BF peer supporter BTW

Has anyone got any ideas?

We have tried NCT line but it is unmanned, and I've spoken to BFC who said she can come out in the evening, but sis doesn't want it. Sis and DP seem releaved DS is getting FF but I am worried about her future BF if they don't get DS on soon. Am I overreacting?

There are no BF groups until wednesday down here, unless someone knows of any a bit further away???

PLease help!

OP posts:
hunkermunker · 25/03/2007 12:50

Does she want to bfeed?

Why doesn't she want to see a BFC?

Is her DS not latching on because she's engorged? If so, hand expressing might be more effective at relieving the initial mahoosive "shark biting the peach" effect (as in James And The Giant Peach) of a newborn trying to get a tiny mouth onto a football-sized breast.

AitchYouBerk · 25/03/2007 12:54

maybe this is one of those times when you should butt out, of she doesn't want to see a BFC might that not mean that she just doesn't want to?

Original poster
archiesmummy · 25/03/2007 13:01

She doesn't want to inconvenience anyone, so doesn't want to ask anyone to come round and help her.

Yes she wants to BF and was almost hysterical yesterday when it didn't work. And yes boobs are very engorged.

Sis says she can only get drops out with pump or by hand. (She is not the most patient person I know).

Will her supply have dwindled by wednesday? This si my primary concern.

OP posts:
shonaspurtle · 25/03/2007 13:05

She should be able to get more than that hand expressing if she's able to find the right place to press - it was my major source of relief! I found it easier to do in the bath. Also the hot water kind of made my breasts leak like mad anyway.

Can you talk to her again about the bf counsellor - I know you'd not want to pester her though. I have a friend who's really put herself through the mill because she feels bf is something she should be able to do by herself but getting help just makes things so much easier and is great for your selfesteem at the very least .

mears · 25/03/2007 13:08

She is best to hand express due to the engorgement to soften the brteast enough for the baby to fix on. She is probably not doing it properly to be honest if she isn't getting anything. Advise her to massage her breasts first before expressing. She can do that by making a fist and placing at the top of her breast with the tumb side of the fist against her skin. Then roll the fist down from the top of the breast towards the nipple. Go round all the areas of the breast. Then feel for the pea like bumps that are the milk resevoirs. They may be at the edge of the areaola of the nipple but they are in different places for different women. Place a thumb on the top of them and two fingers undernreath and gently compress the pea like bumps and the milk will come out. Once the milk is flowing she could try the pump.

The midwife should still be visiting and able to help. Has she got cabbage leaves for the engorgement? Her milk supply will be reduced if the engorgement is not relieved however it is salvagable.

mears · 25/03/2007 13:09

Forfot about hot flannels. And BTW she can call the midwife out by contacting the hospital

Original poster
archiesmummy · 25/03/2007 13:13

Thank you both, midwife not coming back til tuesday.
I will give her a ring with your info mears and try to talk her into bfc coming over.

I just don't want her to give up ithout help

OP posts:
mears · 25/03/2007 13:18

Midwife will come back if called though. That is what happens in my area. Woman has contact number for the hospital who will page the community midwife to come. That is what she is there for.

Original poster
archiesmummy · 25/03/2007 13:20

Ok, mears I will tell sis. Thanx

OP posts:
hunkermunker · 25/03/2007 13:21

She's not inconveniencing anyone. BFCs are there to help people bf.

But she's just had a baby and her hormones will be all over the place.

Can you ask your sister if she minds you arranging for the BFC to come over? Has your sister actually spoken to to the BFC? Has the BFC reassured her she doesn't mind coming out at all?

hunkermunker · 25/03/2007 13:24

I would say, "You're my sister, I love you, I'm so very proud of you for having my beautiful nephew, and I would be failing you if I didn't help you bf as I know you want to so desperately.

"I will be equally proud of you if it doesn't work out, for whatever reason, but I would feel like I'd let you down if I didn't do all I could to help you, so please let me."

Original poster
archiesmummy · 25/03/2007 13:24

Oh hunker, no sis has not spoken to anyone, bfc or MW, but she is very keen to come with me to BF group in the week.

I will try to convince sis to let me arrange for someone to come and help her

OP posts:
hunkermunker · 25/03/2007 13:28

I'd possibly add something about how I didn't want her to have any regrets about her decision if she does end up ffeeding.

AitchYouBerk · 25/03/2007 13:28

isn't there an NCT line she could call? that might keep her head above water till she sees someone? by the way, good to see you back archiesmummy, i haven't seen you in ages. congratulations on being an auntie!
and hunker's point is good, you know, the BFCs at hospital are paid so it is their job to help people in her position.

Original poster
archiesmummy · 25/03/2007 13:32

Will try to talk to her.

Hi aitch, I know i've not been around much find that my days are taken up with DS, but hoping to stay here for a while now.

OP posts:
maisym · 25/03/2007 13:35

could your sis take her baby to bed with her and just bf lieing (can't spell!) down plus she can rest at the sametime. She could stay like this for 24hrs to rest and recover and also her baby pight be able to get a good latch like this.

Laura032004 · 25/03/2007 13:47

I thought I couldn't hand express (bf DS1 until 22m), until DS2 went to NICU & I had to. A lovely MW demonstrated exactly what to do, and I've never looked back. Technique is very important.

Would second the cabbage, it helped me tremendously. I used savoy, although my MW told me afterwards savoy would have no effect , and I should have used white cabbage.

Also, if she can get him to try to latch on, stimulation from that side & leaving the other side 'naked' might be enough to get the milk going on the side the baby isn't feeding on, so she can relieve the engorgement a bit on both sides.

moondog · 25/03/2007 13:50

NO> for Assoc. for Breastfeeding Mothers (ie helpline) is 0870 401 7711

hope she accesses the support she deserves.

Original poster
archiesmummy · 25/03/2007 13:52

Thank you all will update you later

OP posts:
mears · 26/03/2007 14:53

How's it going?

Original poster
archiesmummy · 27/03/2007 22:03

Sorry I dissapeared. I'm not too sure how it's going.

She is able to express more now and breasts are not so full but baby still not latching on.
My BFC has volounteered to go over there tomorrow and help her.

Thank you for all your support and advise.
My sister rang me today to tell me she now uses cabage (white I think Laura )leafs.

OP posts:
mears · 27/03/2007 23:22

Savoy cabbage is the cabbage of choice I believe

mears · 27/03/2007 23:29

here is some info

Green cabbage (savoy) is best kept in the fridge and a couple of leaves peeled off at a time to put in the bra leaving holes for the nipples. Hopefully she will get help to fix baby now that milk is starting to flow. Can be done.

Pruni · 27/03/2007 23:39

Message withdrawn

mears · 28/03/2007 00:01

Came across this:

Alternative remedies for breast engorgement include placing a cabbage leaf inside your bra. The suggestion is to use very dark green cabbage leaves, as it is thought that it is the chlorophyll that is the active ingredient. Wipe the leaves clean and store them in the fridge until needed. Place one inside each bra cup and replace when wet.

Not sure what the chlorophyll does though!

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