Regretting giving up breastfeeding...

[alicelake]

I gave up breastfeeding about a week ago after many struggles. But I'm really regretting this, can't stop crying cos I miss it, and baby is not getting on with formula. But obviously my milk supply has rapidly dropped. Does anyone have experience in reinstating their supply? Reallllyyyyy want to go back to it. Thanks in advance x

Hi, I don't myself but know plenty who have! Contact la leche league or Nct, both those organisations should be able to help, good luck!! X

I'm not an expert but I didn't want to read and run. I have a friend who had a horrible time breastfeeding and stopped and then started again. It's possible, but it was really hard work, and it depends on the reasons why you stopped in the first place. Have you been seeing a breastfeeding counsellor or lactation consultant?

Im not an expert but I would do as much skin to skin as possible, offer boob before formula so the baby starts getting a bit each time and get a decent breast pump to try and express as much as you can. This should stimulate your supply, a week isnt too long in the scheme of things. Have a look at the kellymom.com website it has excellent feeding advice. Also if the mumsnetter Tiktok is still around she knows her shit too. Good luck!

She will be 3 weeks Sunday. So just shy of two weeks when I gave up. I gave up because she was just constantly pulling off and screaming during the day and I thought she wasn't getting enough, but think I just didn't give my milk chance to catch up with her growing. And just gave up in a tired and hormonal state!

Oats are supposed to stimulate supply too so get yourself a cuppa and several packs of hobnobs

The screaming might be wind? Maybe try 5 min feed then wind then latch back on?

But it was literally after only a few sucks she'd scream, like it wasn't coming fast enough, or there wasn't enough, I don't know what it was it was just so horrible to see her scream I felt at a wits end

Definitely gonna try the oats! going to invest in some fenugreek too.

It's not too late but it will be much easier if you can find a support group or a lactation consultant or bf peer supporter in your area (or both).
Please post with your location here or in mn local and see if you can find local help.

It is quite possible to reinstate feeding but please seek some advice in person as it souns like you would benefit from someone checking the latch and giving you some support in person.

Not too late! Offer her breast milk from each side, then top her up with formula, then express on both sides ;even if you don't get anything. It will be a wee bit of work as you need to do this after every feed, especially over night. You want to be feeding every three hours or so (again especially at night) so don't over fill her on formula- small and often to encourage her to feed from you as much as possible.

I hope you can find some local support.

Breastfeeding in the early days can be so hard, especially if it's taking a bit of time for the milk to come through. When you're baby gets distressed it is so stressful. I had to express to up my milk a bit. Honestly, it gets easier.

I gave up for a bit too but your can definitely start again! As others have said the answer is to feed feed feed. I never let him go more than an hour and a half without offering in the first week of starting again (2 hours at night - I set my alarm) and if I was just sat doing nothing I would pretty much let him go on and come off as much as he wanted. I figured even if he was using me as a dummy the sucking still stimulates your milk supply.
You obviously can't cut the formula straight away altogether. Maybe try dropping one bottle every few days and with the ones you still give always offer the breast first and then use the bottle as a top up.
As a PP said oats are also good - porridge and flapjacks! Make sure you are eating enough as well as that will help improve your supply

Got some fenugreek, renting a hospital grade pump and have started putting DD on me before each bottle. Fingers crossed

Hows it going op?

Still in the process! Currently attached to the double pump! And putting DD on me before each feed but she doesn't stay on for long as there's not much to get from me at the minute. But remaining hopeful!!

Awwww you're doing great. Xxx

Defo oats!!!

You need to double pump every two hours to re start your supply, every three at night. You are doing really well op.

Would highly recommend this op, you put formula and/or expressed breastmilk in it and tape the tubes to your nipples. You can mix formula and breast milk if you only have a little bm.

uk.vitazita.com/en/buy/medela-breastfeeding-helping-set-1-item/?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIwL_C6_XY1QIVI77tCh02-wI3EAQYASABEgKk9vD_BwE&ef_id=WAqFewAAAbhhtUVu:20170815092554:s

Glad to hear its going well. Seriously hob nobs are the answer

Ask your GP for a prescription for Domperidone. It is an anti-nausea drug but increased milk supply as a side effect. It was recommended to me by a BF counsellor. It did seem to boost my supply.

Unfortunately Domperidone is now highly restricted .