Am I mad to want to restart breastfeeding?

[SixFootMum]

My little boy is 3 weeks old, and although can still latch on and I still have some milk, he is only on formula.
-I breastfed him exclusively and on demand for his first 2 weeks, but he wasn't gaining any weight.

• I have a full on, mummy-obsessed 2 year old girl as well, and although I was advised to express milk, between caring for

her, stressed about not being able to be with her, and just generally exhausted, I couldn't manage more than 1 or 2 sessions with my little manual pump.

• I then got mastitis, and my son wouldn't latch on (plus - SO painful).
• I topped him up with formula and haven't gone back really. Husband now takes a lot of the feeding burden and i can spend time with my daughter. BUT I am so sad to have had to stop breastfeeding I was really determined and persevered, but it just didn't work.

Things have calmed down a lot now, and I'm thinking about starting breastfeeding again, with the aid of an electric pump to boost supply. Has anyone else successfully re-started breastfeeding? Is it worth the slog? Am I mad? Thanks for any thoughts!

P.s. First ever mumsnet post! Couldn't find a topic for 'Breastfeeding', apologies x

I haven't personally but it is definitely possible, baby is much more efficient at getting milk out of the breasts than a pump so I'd offer baby each breast at each feed and then give however much formula baby needs definitely just offer baby the breast as much as possible and you should definitely start to see your supply picking back up!

There is a topic called "infant feeding" where you'll also get more replies I'm sure, you can report your post and ask for it to be moved

Go for it. Worst that can happen is that he's not full at the end of a feed if your supply is low, but then you can just give him a bottle to top him up.

This is where I go first on the internet to find out about breastfeeding:
kellymom.com/bf/got-milk/relactation/

It's totally a thing and I don't think you're mad at all. Good luck!

I would definitely do it! It's worth the slog.

I've just started a training course to be a peer supporter and in the first session we were asked to share breastfeeding experience with eachother. Everyone in the group had experienced challenges at the beginning and about half the mums had experienced serious challenges like having to exclusively pump for weeks and weeks before solving latching issues etc, or having a premature baby that needed tube feeding. The thing that inspired me was that despite serious challenges which were presumably really unpleasant at the time, after overcoming them these women all ended up finding it really fulfilling and were passionate enough about breastfeeding to later become peer supporters. It's not for everyone but to me that shows that it's worth it.

I agree the Kellymom site is great and you should also seek RL support from midwives, a health visitor, peer supporter, anyone who has breastfed before and knows what they're talking about.

I'm sure that with time your 2 year old will come to adapt and start to become more independent now that she has a younger sibling. Toddler proof the room, supply her with toys, and a pile of books you can read her while you sit on the sofa and feed. She can cuddle up with you while you feed and watch a film or TV together. I have a 3 year old and a 3 month old and I must admit it's hard work having two at the beginning, we are still finding our feet too.

Thank you all so much for taking the time to write such supportive, practical replies! Lots of really good tips. I feel very encouraged now to give it a go, you've given me a real boost.

Good luck to you! Think of your boobs as a factory not a warehouse they make milk as it's needed rather than keep it all stored up!