Is it possible to EBF now? Or should I give up hope...

[MrsTwentyNine]

Hi all
Had to give formula due to baby developing jaundice on day 2. Never managed to establish breastfeeding properly so now only managing to express 30mLs ish per pumping session and I am struggling to pump more than 3-4 times a day. Going to endeavour to increase this to 6-8 because putting him on the breast makes him angry after a few minutes and I get too anxious watching him struggle so give formula! Was hoping I could express the amount needed eventually and cut out formula or reduce formula significantly. I'm 3 weeks and 3 days in post delivery - is this still realistic? The Mum guilt is unbelievable even though I know he is totally fine on formula and gaining good weight etc...
Thanks in advance!

It's not impossible but you'll have to manage the move back to ebf carefully and expect it to be difficult if that's what you choose to do.

The "angry" behaviour, beating/headbutting breasts, squeezing them, crying and on/off feeding is normal in ebf babies - it's how they increase your milk supply.

I would probably start by offering the breast before every bottle. To be explicit, I would offer both breasts before every bottle feed and reduce the amount of formula given.

Ebf babies can feed very often. Before 4m I'd expect to spend all evening, every evening on the sofa/in bed feeding AND to feed every 1-2hours in the day as a minimum. I'm sure there will be some mum's who's babies fed less than that but my 3 DC fed pretty much constantly. It's hard work. I wouldn't look down on anyone for ff.

If he's really angry, you can give a little formula to take the edge off the hunger and then try him on the breast once he's had maybe 20-30ml. If he's hungry and due a feed, then he won't be massively patient at the breast due to the slower flow/supply.

Do you have a breastfeeding consultant in your area? We had an excellent one. I restarted to EBF once my daughter was around 7 weeks old. I expressed in the meantime l. It’s normal not to express much though. Can you get one of those hospital grade pumps?

Thank you so much for all your replies!

@User0ne that's really helpful. It sounds very intense and requiring a lot of commitment. I really want to do it, but even if I get to 50:50 with my milk volume, I would be happy. I'll definitely try what you suggested!

@Hugasauras this is a good idea. I think I give in too easily as in my mind I keep feeling bad I can't feed him and quench his hunger quickly despite having a bottle right there! I know, I need to resist

@Poyyu23 that's given me a lot of hope! I'll have a look into this. I was going to access one of the breastfeeding support groups. Can I ask if you used any formula prior to the 7 weeks ?

Probably lots of skin to skin contact would help, too. I can remember a LLL book that saïd adoptive mothers can, so it's not too late by a long way. Just be prepared for feeds lasting a Long Time - think my longest was 6 hours !

Hi! Yes, I did plus I expressed as well. It’s very much possible but please speak to your local breastfeeding unit. Emma helped me so much and has a lot of good info on her website:
www.emmapickettbreastfeedingsupport.com.

good luck!

Thank you @newtb and @Poyyu23