I think we are overfeeding our new born

[iamsuchatit]

DD is 12 days old and is formula fed currently. I am trying to establish breastfeeding but not having much luck.

She has aptamil and has about 6 bottles a day. We had been waking her up in the night for a feed but I don’t think she needs it. DH seems to just give her a bottle to shut her up 🙄 he says she wouldn’t eat if she wasn’t hungry but I thought it was a reflex?

We can’t really agree and he’s not being supportive about trying to establish breastfeeding either. Thankfully he’s back at work on Thursday.

Are we overfeeding her? She was 9 lb 1oz at birth and is now 8g off her birth weight.

[Mishappening]

Just do your best with the breast-feeding and if it does not work then do not beat yourself up about it.

I am a huge advocate of breast feeding, but had to throw in the towel with one of mine who simply did not suck properly. Disappointing but no big deal.

[HappyPunky]

If he's giving your baby a bottle rather than letting you breast feed you won't be able to get it established.

You need to offer breast first and give a little bit of formula if necessary. I used to so I could take the edge off a bit with ready made bottles for the first couple of weeks then breast fed for over a year.

Get some support. He's right that if your baby is taking it they're not being over fed but if he's giving six bottles when you want to breast feed he's in the wrong.

Congratulations

[Hugtheduggee]

Out of curiousity, when trying to breastfeed, how often were you trying to get baby to feed from you? Most formula fed babies will want more than 6 bottles at the start, but with bf you really would need to up the frequency, because they really do like little and often!

[Mixedupmummy]

have you heard of a supplemental feeding system. I think that's what a it's called. Google it. you can buy them or make your own. I think you need this. you feed the baby formula but while at the breast to up your supply then gradually reduce the formula when your supply is starting to increase with demand.
what specific issues are you having?
it will be very hard to turn things around but my no means impossible.

[le42]

What issues are you having with BFing?

I think if you were overfeeding your little one they would be sick a lot, ie bringing up the milk.

[DonPablo]

How's it going this evening @iamsuchatit?

[Iamsuchatit]

@DonPablo - not great tbh. I tried loads of positions to get DD to latch but she just won’t.

I’ve just fed her some formula so that’ll keep her happy for a whole 10 mins I suspect

[mintoreo]

I'm another one saying it doesn't sound like you're over feeding her. My little one was on formula at that age and definitely didn't go without feeding during the night. I think he woke up around 2-3 times a night generally and then fed around 3 hourly during the day.
I'd also say dont stress and worry too much of bf doesnt work out. It didn't for us. If you do want to bf I'd really try not to give so much formula and instead be attempting to bf more - but others are probably able to advise better. By giving so much formula you will be affecting your supply. Babies can also develop a preference for bottles over breast.

[mintoreo]

Sorry I didn't see your most recent reply. Have you got any bf support?

[Rarfy]

My 9wk old dd only takes 6 5 ounce bottles a day. If i fed on demand she would probably take less. At that age she was probably taking 2 ounces and still 6 a day. She was every four hours by the clock and when she wasnt i would wake her. I have now let her go on demand even though more often than not it is closer to 5 hours than 4 but she takes her bottle easier then.

[IdblowJonSnow]

I'm sorry that you're unhappy about not being able to breast feed. My first dd didn't either, I came to see it as a blessing further down the line. Babies feed on demand for months and even if they can sleep through the night I think the advice e is to wake them after a 4-5 hours of no feed. Not sure if this advice has changed. One advantage of bottle is that at least you know how much your baby is taking. Also means your dh can help with feeds meaning you get a bit more rest.
Congratulations on your baby!

[Stuckforthefourthtime]

You mentioned you've tried loads of positions, have you done this with the help of a midwife / HV? Often it's the latch not the position - and as others say, it needs to be often for breastfeeding in the early days. Usually there's an ideal time when they are hungry enough to try hard but not so hungry they're screaming - it is a bit trial and error but also it helps SO much to get in-person advice from someone with experience.

[Creatureofthenight]

OP contact your MW or HV and ask for help from a member of the infant feeding team, hopefully they can get someone to do a home visit.

[le42]

@iamsuchatit - have you tried nipple shields? He might be very used to the plastic bottle now and the shields might help bridge the gap. I used them for this purpose as my milk didn’t come through initially. I have the mendela ones... they aren’t expensive on amazon if you want to try them.

[Iamsuchatit]

@le42 - tried them but they haven’t helped sadly

I’ll speak to the HV tomorrow. She’s nearly 2 weeks old so I can’t see breastfeeding working now

[Jamhandprints]

You can still establish breast feeding if you want to. But you need some support from a breastfeeding group. Health visitors are not great at breast feeding support.
It's ok not to breastfeed, but if you want to, it's not too late.

[LIZS]

Ask if there is a local breastfeeding cafe or drop in at the children's centre. Alternatively call the La Leche League, NCT or even your maternity ward to ask for their support. They often have specialist volunteers who you can speak to one to one or even visit you at home, to look at your latch , suggest positions and how to boost supply.

[JiltedJohnsJulie]

How are you getting on today @iamsuchatit?