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Infant feeding

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

Original poster

Advised to top up feeds

7 replies

Tafaa · 24/10/2023 15:49

LO has recently had her 6 week visit with HV and has dipped a little on her weight chart in terms of centiles. HV advised I could try topping up with expressed bm but I'm not really sure what the best way to do this would be. I do have a haaka (sp?) breast pump so was thinking I could use this during feeds then offer what I've collected through the day to baby? I'm reluctant to do any sort of 'interferering' in case my supply is affected but of course I don't want LO to not be putting on enough weight. Does anybody have any tips or advice? Thanks for reading x

OP posts:
Threesmycrowd · 24/10/2023 15:59

I had similar with ds. The top ups should be a small amount offered after every feed - not collecting milk and then offering one large extra feed at the end of the day. I'm not sure collecting milk while feeding is the best idea because then surely you will be taking the milk dd would otherwise drink. Could you express between feeds for the top up milk or offer formula instead? The other advantage of expressing between feeds is that it will stimulate your supply so you will start producing more for LO, then maybe she won't need the top ups. Another thought is look up breast compressions and do these at the end of a feed to get more into her.

Finally. Good luck and try not to worry. It can be such an anxious time but hopefully things will right themselves as dd gets bigger.

Flittingaboutagain · 24/10/2023 16:06

Be very wary of introducing top ups without first going to a baby latte or other local breastfeeding group. Top ups can end bf journeys. It's called the top up trap.

Jijithecat · 24/10/2023 16:17

Does your baby have plenty of wet and dirty nappies? A weight check is just a snapshot in time, it could be different tomorrow.

Original poster
Tafaa · 24/10/2023 16:52

Threesmycrowd · 24/10/2023 15:59

I had similar with ds. The top ups should be a small amount offered after every feed - not collecting milk and then offering one large extra feed at the end of the day. I'm not sure collecting milk while feeding is the best idea because then surely you will be taking the milk dd would otherwise drink. Could you express between feeds for the top up milk or offer formula instead? The other advantage of expressing between feeds is that it will stimulate your supply so you will start producing more for LO, then maybe she won't need the top ups. Another thought is look up breast compressions and do these at the end of a feed to get more into her.

Finally. Good luck and try not to worry. It can be such an anxious time but hopefully things will right themselves as dd gets bigger.

Yes now you mention it between feeds would probably be the best way to go, thanks!

OP posts:
Original poster
Tafaa · 24/10/2023 16:57

Flittingaboutagain · 24/10/2023 16:06

Be very wary of introducing top ups without first going to a baby latte or other local breastfeeding group. Top ups can end bf journeys. It's called the top up trap.

This is what I'm wary about!

OP posts:
Original poster
Tafaa · 24/10/2023 16:59

Jijithecat · 24/10/2023 16:17

Does your baby have plenty of wet and dirty nappies? A weight check is just a snapshot in time, it could be different tomorrow.

Yes, plenty of wet, and dirty every 2-3 days. She used to poo several times a day but from about 5 weeks this changed, she'll go up to a few days now but I've been told this is normal.

OP posts:
Cakeorchocolate · 30/10/2023 05:23

How are you getting on @Tafaa ?

With my dd (8yrs ago so the memories are a little hazy!) I used to express after every feed.
I've got a 3 week old now who cannot be satisfied in an evening so just starting to express again now to possibly top up.

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