Will I ever manage to Breastfeed? Also using domperidone

[New2Mumming]

Hi Mums!

Re: low supply, lazy Baby, domperidone

Looking for advice and experiences as a new mum struggling to Breastfeed.

Baby was born at 37 weeks because SGA (weighed 5ib13) and from the offset wasn't bothered with feeding. My midwife put her on my boob immediately but I really don't think she was feeding. The next 36 hrs saw me desperately trying to squeeze and scrape colostrum until medical staff agreed the baby wasn't getting anything and started her on formula as blood sugar was low.

She's 5 weeks now and only interested in suckling for comfort. If she's hungry she wants her bottle.

Right now here's my situation:
-I still want to Breastfeed

• expressing maximum 50ml per day by pump and hand altogether whilst baby is consuming about 800ml formula per day
• also using nipple shields as she won't latch - my lactation consultant says my nips are fine and she is just small, but the baby is also lazy (wonderful, but lazy :p ) and my nipples don't have a teet, more bulbous. But my boobs are pretty small.
• have been taking domperidone 3xper day for 4 days, don't notice a change
• I've read that I should have been expressing 8x per day, but between hour long feeds every 2.5-3 hrs followed by holding her upright to avoid reflux, sterilising, fighting with her to try my boob and getting some sleep, I haven't managed.

Any thoughts or opinions ? One by one the people around me have given up on my breastfeeding journey, starting with LO herself haha, HV wasn't optimistic, and now even my husband thinks it's time to stop bothering. Just me and lactation consultant holding out hope.

Would I ever be able to produce enough milk? I dont know how to get Baby interested without denying her formula for a few days, but as she was SGA and still on the lowest percentiles for weight I don't want to.

If I only get 30-50ml would baby get enough antibodies and benefits in that small amount ie is it still worth the hassle ?

Recommendations on nipple shields?

I'm considering getting my neice to bf from me as she is older and has a large appetite. Anyone done this before? SIL doesn't mind. I think it could help my supply, I think a nursing baby is better than pump or hand.

Keen to hear thoughts !!! Xx

So glad you've made the right decision for you and your baby. All the best!

I'm considering getting my neice to bf from me as she is older and has a large appetite. Anyone done this before? SIL doesn't mind. I think it could help my supply, I think a nursing baby is better than pump or hand.

Please don’t do this. Your niece is a human being not a breast pump. She won’t be comfortable knowing her aunty breastfed her in future. It’s just weird.

Gently, you’ve exhausted every option for about 5 weeks. If you want to carry on expressing and topping up so she gets some breast milk then go ahead, but it sounds like you’ve reached the end of the road and the punitive routine you’re putting yourself through will take its toll on you eventually. Just let it go and enjoy your baby, fed is best.

Agree with your second paragraph, it was punitive by the time I stopped! We're much better for having accepted it. But that's in my case.

RE my neice, I don't think knowing your aunty bf you is the worst thing in the world. If anything why should there be such a stigma. Consider it the other way round, what if my SILs breastfed my baby because I simply can't, that'd be no bad thing but an act of love.

And she is a human breastpump 😂, she's passionate about breastmilk!!! Some babies will take it from any boob they fancy.