I have two children; DS who is 5years and DD who is 6 weeks old. After a difficult start with DS I breastfed him for 10 months. I thought after the initial problems with him, I could get through anything, and never considered not breastfeeding DD when she came alone. Unfortunately I very reluctantly gave up breastfeeding her after 3 terrible and very upsetting weeks, battling with poor latch, cracked nipples, thrush and mastitis. I had midwives and breastfeeding counsellors round almost daily, paid to have her checked for tongue tie (by professionally trained specialist midwife), went to cranial osteopath etc etc. I really tried everything and was in constant agony and the upheaval to our family was intense. i felt I couldn't go on and sadly gave up.
However, since then I've struggled with my feelings and have been incredibly sad about the way things have gone. I've cried an awful lot and and feel so guilty. I feel like a failure and feel I have let DD down. She now seems to have a dairy allergy which has only made my feelings worse. DS had a dairy allergy too but we managed to avoid the impact of this as I was breastfeeding. But in comparison, DD is has been struggling with different formulas and been very uncomfortable and now prescribed nutramagin which is ghastly stuff. I just feel so awful about the whole thing and can barely look at her when I'm feeding her because I feel so bad.
I'm seriously considering trying to relactate and wonder if anyone has done this? I understand it will take some commitment and round the clock feeding/pumping to get the supply back but is it incredibly difficult? I had a very good supply when breastfeeding, and fed hourly to two hourly for DD's first 3 weeks. I still have a small dribble when I hand express.
I'm just wondering if it's a realistic option. DH will take some convincing as the breastfeeding went so badly before and really exhausted us all. But I feel so desperate about the way things have gone it would mean so much if I could help her and get this going again.
Any experiences or tips and advice much appreciated.