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Infant feeding

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

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Original poster

is it to late to move to full time bf?

23 replies

moocowme · 14/11/2007 09:13

for a variety of reasons i never got bf established. i still put 7 week old ds on the breast for up to 30mins before 3-4 feeds a day, and have always done since birth).

I know their is some milk left as we have had a couple of hour long sessions in the last couple of days (while i try to catch up on sleep) but its not enough for him as he has a full bottle after this.

due to yet another problem with ff last night and ds reflux i would dearly love to move to fulltime bf as it would be so much easier i am sure.

has anyone ever done this seven weeks in? is it possible? (even for the sleep deprived!) or am i just halucinating due to lack of sleep?

OP posts:

Pixiefish · 14/11/2007 09:17

It is possible I am sure but it will be hard work.

La Leche magazine had an article a few months ago where someone breast fed from not having breast fed a few weeks in and they used some sort of pipes which fed the baby formula while the baby suckled on te mother.

I am sure that you wouldn't need this as you do have some milk. The more your baby stimulates your supply the better it is so put him to your breast often

Miaou · 14/11/2007 09:19

AFAIK, if you are still producing milk then it is possible to move back to exclusive breastfeeding, but you could do with some advice from an expert, such as tiktok, or a breastfeeding counsellor - hunker might be able to point you in the right direction

Original poster

moocowme · 14/11/2007 09:22

i got some domperidone from the chemist as well to try and boost it along

OP posts:

Brangelina · 14/11/2007 09:25

How much formula were your giving? Did you top up or replace feeds? I ditched the formula after about 7 weeks mix feeding (from 7 to 14 weeks approx) and although it was hard the first few days (baby crying for bottle, feeding inadequately at the breast etc. ) after about a week or so we were back on the breast full time with very few problems.

The trick is to latch baby on as frequently as possibile to get your supply back up, I offered the breast every hour approx in the first days, gradually spacing it as DD got better at feeding. If you can, spend a day or 2 in bed all day with baby doing lots of skin to skin. It is hard work, but it can be done, you just need nerves of steel the first few days.

HTH

StrawberryMartini · 14/11/2007 09:33

It will take about a week for your supply to become reestablished - I heard of a 9 month old being successfully latched on again after months of not bf!

whomovedmychocolate · 14/11/2007 09:34

It is possible but you will need to retreat to bed with your baby and feed both yourself and your son continually for three days. Plan to do nothing else, get lots of books to read and just settle him down and just feed and sleep. It's physically tiring (drink lots) but doable.

Well done for wanting to do this though. You are doing an amazing thing. You will have enough milk in three days time if you do feed continuously.

Pixiefish · 14/11/2007 09:47

My midwife went on a course last week and Fenugreek was recommended for increasing milk supply

Original poster

moocowme · 14/11/2007 09:49

how much fenugreek? i could pop over to the shop over the road and see if they have it. asian corner store so not sure but they have plenty of herbs and spices.

OP posts:

spacemanspiff · 14/11/2007 09:52

go to www.kellymom.com

search 'galactagogues' 'relactation' as your key words. it will bring up relevant info on fenugreek, etc. don't have the time to do links now.

Pixiefish · 14/11/2007 10:08

think my mw said 30mg 3 times a day but please check it out as I'm not sure if iirc- baby brain

Turkeyandsproutsx3 · 14/11/2007 10:16

I gave up bf for a week then started again - you should be able to build your supply up - just more regular feeding is needed

ib · 14/11/2007 10:26

I stopped topping up at about 6 weeks. Ds had reflux as well, so feeding him in general was a nightmare. Are you getting the reflux treated? That would help.

I took the more milk plus capsules (fenugreek and blessed thistle) which worked well for me.

Definitely plan a feedathon - I relactated properly after a 15 hour flight where ds fed non-stop.

When I relactated I got a fever and redness in my breasts. I panicked thinking it was mastitis but was told it was just a result of the relactation. Went in 48 hours.

Original poster

moocowme · 14/11/2007 13:49

DS has infant gaviscon for his reflux. i had to fight ti get this (then found you can buy it over the counter) but that is all he is given as the dioctor i saw said reflux is 'natural' and it will go away eventualy. obviously i was not impressed after ds had been up crying fir 12 hours but he is getting better now.

just spent two hours in bed with him self latching while i snoozed as soooo tired from last night. although ds still hungry after this so gave him a bit of a bottle as i am to soft to let him cry. might have to try a gradual build up.

OP posts:

monkeybird · 14/11/2007 13:52

think we're all too soft on here to let our bubbas cry aren't we?

anyhow, I don't know anything about this (you need a BF counsellor to give full advice) but imagine as well as lots of feeds you could also perhaps up the supply by expressing at the end of feeds or in between as well?

mylittleponey · 14/11/2007 13:56

would say just bf on demand - the more your baby feds the more will be produced.

ib · 14/11/2007 18:33

Gradual build up is good - you don't want him to get dehydrated.

tiktok · 14/11/2007 19:12

moocowme, great you are still bf

I can only repeat the same info as last time, though - to build up and maintain a milk supply needs a lot of stimulation, and 3-4 times a day at the breast isn't enough. Yes, you can move to full bf, but you will need to be ok about bf and/or expressing at least 8 x in 24 hours inc at least once at night....no, don't do this 'gradually' but asap, but reduce the formula gradually, so he doesn't become underfed.

Hope this helps

Original poster

moocowme · 14/11/2007 21:51

i have moved up the bf to every feed and am going to put him on during the night before giving a bottle.

i think i need to try a punp again but am to knackered to leave the house at the moment and DH just would not know what to get.

DS so seems to love his time on the brest before a bottle snuggled up with me in bed. ten mins sucking and he looks like he is in a trance.

OP posts:

pooter · 15/11/2007 01:13

Hi Moocowme - just wanted to add my support. I did a similar thing to you - and it is possible! Now my ds is 9months and exclusively bf from 9wks to 6mo. do you cosleep? I found that it made bf SO much easier - he still feeds about 4 times a night, but neither of us wake fully so it doesnt make me tired. I also read that its important to produce the hormone prolactin at night to stimulate milk supply (which happens when you bf). I bought fenugreek capsules from a website called breastfeeding heaven, dont know if they helped but it made me feel better. Good luck - its wonderful when it finally all fits into place!

whomovedmychocolate · 15/11/2007 04:17

Moocowme - it's worth the delivery charge to get shopping delivered just the once if you need to, or trust your DH - if he gets the wrong brand it doesn't matter. Send him with a note, he can present it at customer service and they will give him the right stuff.

You're doing great, just keep going.

tiktok · 15/11/2007 09:28

You can hire pumps and they will courier it to your door - Google Medela.

tiktok · 15/11/2007 09:30

A good site for pump sales and hire

Original poster

moocowme · 17/11/2007 14:45

got a new pump of ebay so hopefully its coming this week. DS just had a short bout of reflux after a 20min feed at breast so yeah still got milk and trying to build it up.

only thing to master now is getting him latched on in bed at night so we don't disturb DH to much. we had a lovely morning in bed this morning all three of us, DH thought it was bliss having such a nice cuddle.

OP posts:

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