Breast, bottle and pump?!

8 replies

babymom23 · 10/10/2023 14:07

Please help! I've got a bit of a supply problem at the moment. Peds have suggested that I feed DD at the breast for 10 minutes - this is just to stimulate milk production. Then top her up with 2-3oz of formula or expressed milk. I have to do this three hourly. That's fine, but where on earth do I find the time to pump?
Has anyone else had to do this before? I did ask the HV about pumping and if I feed her from one breast should i pump the other but she didn't seem too sure,. I haven't actually spoke to a doctor in the 6 weeks that we have been having these feeding issues (despite asking to) so I'm not sure what they have said verbatim.
I'm also working with a lactation consultant so I will ask their opinion too.
I'm a single mum so finding time to do all this is a bit hectic at the minute. I just wondered if anyone has been in this position before as I'm feeling a bit overwhelmed and unsure what to do, thank you!

OP posts:

namechangeluckylady · 11/10/2023 10:31

Listen to the lactation consultant.

SiouxsieSiouxStiletto · 14/10/2023 10:30

What has the Lactation Consultant suggested @babymom23?

If you do have a supply issue, unfortunately your HV may not know much about feeding babies and Doctors might be the same unfortunately.

Have a read of this on low supply from Kellymom. It's an evidence based website so really useful.

What problems are you experiencing?

Original poster

babymom23 · 14/10/2023 12:39

Lactation consultant was very helpful and realised how stressed this suggestion was making me. As of now we are mostly bottle feeding, I am pumping as and when I can and DD can still have top ups from the breast if need be too.

My supply wasn't coming in and her weight was slow to gain. fed is best xx

OP posts:

Original poster

babymom23 · 14/10/2023 12:42

I should mention I was very ill during labour and for 2 week's postpartum so this is why they think my supply is a bit low. I just want my baby to be fed and happy, which she is now

OP posts:

Lavender14 · 14/10/2023 12:46

I'm no expert but I'd recommend joining a bf support group near you, la leche league have been really encouraging and supportive for me and I learnt so much from them. There will be lots of other mums who've been through similar to what you're going through and can offer support, encouragement and advice!

Wrongsideofpennines · 14/10/2023 12:56

You need some support with this if you want to continue breastfeeding. So follow the lactation consultant advice or someone like La Leche League. Someone really experienced with this and probably not a HV or GP. If you are only offering the breast for 10 minutes and not pumping but giving formula then you're not going to be able to produce enough breastmilk going forward to satisfy. You end up in a cycle of her needing bigger top ups and you producing less milk.

Options include having a wearable pump so you can pump hands free, or using something like the hakka to catch your letdown on one side while you feed from the other.

MyBrownEyedHandsomeBoy · 14/10/2023 14:27

I had one of those silicon breast milk collectors, I think it was the Nuby one. I stuck this on my other breast whilst feeding and it would collect quite a bit of milk tbf.
I also used to pump sometimes during the night with my tommee tippee electric pump then pop it in the fridge in those breast milk bags

SiouxsieSiouxStiletto · 14/10/2023 15:52

I'm so sorry that you've had what sounds like a difficult start

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