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Infant feeding

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

Do I give up trying to breastfeed and just express?

2 replies

Jenjen4 · 27/12/2018 17:34

My little bundle was born 4 wks early and needed help feeding so started on formula. She is now 4 wks old. When we were discharged I was breastfeeding but also started expressing due to sore nipples and an unhelpful 1st day visit from midwife who advised topping up with expressed or formula at each feed as birth weight had dropped to 7% when weighed at home but only 4% drop when weighed in hospital the following day. I have tried to continue BF, however I just couldn't manage the demand feeding every 2 hours and sore nipples so have been trying a combination of breast, expressed and formula (she will go about 3 hours btw feeds and hubby can help) I am now struggling with latching with bf and believe she has nipple confuson, this is extremly painful and I worry she is not getting enough from BF. Should I persist trying to BF or just express and bottle feed? I feel like such a failure that I just couldnt cope with the demand BF. I am also anxious about weight gain as she was premature. Will she still get the same benefits if I express and bottle feed?

OP posts:
Confusedbeetle · 27/12/2018 17:45

Realistically it is very hard to maintain feeding only expressed milk. Your choices are, formula feed, get help with your breastfeeding, or half and half mix ( absolutely possible whatever the breastfeeding police will tell you) Only you know where your heart is. Each choice is perfectly acceptable and may depend on how much support you have. There is no "right" answer

Confusedbeetle · 27/12/2018 17:45

but get the thrush treated, and treat your nipple skin

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