Hiya,
I wondered if anyone had any insight or wisdom here...
My DSvis 5 weeks tomorrow and having some issues with breastfeeding. I had quite a traumatic birth, induction where baby became distressed and then failed ventouse, forceps and eventually an emergency c section.
He was very jaundiced so needed to be put on a phototherapy machine and wouldn’t wake up for feeds so we didn’t have a great start for breast feeding. I also needed to top up with formula just to ensure he got enough in his system to flush out the jaundice so he used a bottle very early.
When we came home he didn’t put on much weight for two weeks in a row despite spending hours at a time nursing ( sometimes 10 at a time) he was also waking every 45 mins after a feed and crying as he was so hungry.
I have taken to expressing and offering him a bottle and breast and this has meant he’s gained weight and now sleeps 3-4 hour stretches but it’s absolutely exhausting!
He’s also having a formula feed once a night which my husband does.
Yesterday he nursed for 12 hours and his nappy output by the end of it was pretty poor- not very wet and less poos and today he spent a few hours only for me to give him 8 oz of expressed breast milk after and 3 oz of formula which he guzzled so he was very hungry!
I really don’t want to start full formula feeding and would like to transition back to full breast feeding but have no idea what the issue is.
He was checked for tongue tie at birth and I would be happy he was cluster feeding etc if he put on weight without the need for expressing/ formula.
When I spoke to the HV she encouraged more of just purely bf but I end up completely stressed and feeling so guilty he hasn’t had enough and is going hungry and he ends up frustrated and fussy due to not sleeping and being hungry.
Does anyone have any idea/ advice about this?
I’m happy he’s getting my milk but expressing doesn’t seem sustainable in the long run!
Thanks