Late start to breastfeeding - advice

[aliensprig]

Really need advice. I so want to breastfeed. I had a difficult labour with my son and was anaemic which affected my supply to the point where we had no choice but to formula feed, he just wouldn't latch on and I was at my lowest point. Now my son is 2 and a half weeks old and still having formula but also two feeds of expressed breastmilk a day. My supply is slowly increasing but I'm worried I won't ever have enough to satisfy his appetite. Is it unrealistic to transition to ebf eventually? I offer him the breast at every feed but he doesn't always latch on effectively and gets frustrated, it breaks my heart :(

Are you in a position to hire a lactation consultant? That would be a huge help IME.

You can find one here:
www.lcgb.org/find-an-ibclc/

You could possibly EBF OP. Have you managed to see an EBF? If he's not latching on every time, it seems like a good idea

Such a rough start, but sounds like you're doing really well to be expressing enough for 2 feeds.

Google feeding support in your local area. We have an NHS feeding support team that are amazing and have drop in clinics you can go to for support.
Has your baby been checked for tongue tie? It's worth having that assessed as it is often missed and can impact feeding, especially latching issues.
Try to watch for those early feeding cues and put him.to the breast asap, before he gets to the ravenous screaming stage. Such a short window but in a nutshell, at this age if they're awake they're likely to feed. This might mean he latches on easier.

In relation to increasing your supply, there are a few things you can do- Express often. Little and often is better than longer spells less frequently. Eg 6 x 10 mins sessions will work better than 2 x 30 mins. Ideally Express after every feed, even breastfeeds. But that's ideally and often not feasible.
Have lots of skin to skin time. As much as you can get into each 24hr period. It helps all that hormone regulation and milk production.

You can ask gp for prescription for domperidone, usually used for reflux issues it has a side effect of increasing supply.
Ultimately, give yourself a break and remember that the breast milk he is having is of value to him.
I remember my own self esteem as a new mum was hugely tied up in my inability to breastfeed, but no-one told me that the milk they had was of value. Research since then shows every drop is beneficial.
New parenthood is hard and a steep learning curve even after a straightforward pregnancy and delivery. Accept help offered to you. Let people do non baby related chores, laundry shopping, cooking etc. You hold your baby close and cherish these early days.
Ps you're doing great!

Keep expressing to increase your flow - I think it normally takes 3 days to catch up with demand and go for it, it's not too late.

Google breastfeeding groups near you and contact your health visitor for advice on latch - it can be tricky at the start but once you feel confident it can be picked up quickly. Always found lying down on side easiest at start.

A friend of mine had a prem baby so was expressing and using formula and at three weeks thought she'd pop him on the boob to see what happened and he really took to it.

If it doesn't work out don't beat yourself up - fed us best!

Good luck