In need of advice!

[Bethandfreddie]

So my baby was born tuesday morning, and I had planned to breastfeed just as I did with my first, but I was really struggling to get my daughter’s latch to widen as it was really small. I then saw she had only done one wee that day and I was scared my supply was low so I panicked thinking she wasnt getting anything so I went and bought formula.

It’s almost been a week since she has arrived, my milk has come through and my boobs are so sore and hurt like mad, but I’m trying to debate whether to start breastfeeding again? I feel guilty because I did with my son but havent for her if that makes sense?

I’m umming and ahhing thinking will it be more stressful to breastfeed? It was very stressful last time as my son also had a bad latch and I kept getting mastitis & ended up stopping at 5 months with him - I don’t want the same to happen again if I started again.

I was thinking I could potentially try and combi feed but I dont even know how that works?

Sorry this is all a bit jumbled I’m just stressed and would love some advice. TYIA x

Congratulations on the arrival of your new LO.

It sounds as though you have some conflicting feelings, which is understandable and some problems with being sore.

I would give one of the BFijng Helplines a call, talk about how you are feeling, how sore you are, what happened last time and the possibility of relactation.

If you do choose relactation I would say you'd need some RL support. Ask the BFC on the Helpline if there's a BFC in your area or go along to your local BFing Support Group but do ring one of the helplines first

First of all, congratulations on your new arrival!

There is so much support with breastfeeding available which you can access. I wouldn't worry that you will have the same experience with your second as you did with your first - with the right support you can have a positive experience this time around.

I'd say the first port of call is to contact your health visitor and seek their advice, access your local breastfeeding support group ( you will be surrounded by mamas who are in the same boat and also the groups are usually ran by trained lactation consultants/ midwifes who can check your latch, positioning etc). Finally make sure that you prevent any soreness by using a nipple balm to keep your skin soft and supple. There's a 100% natural balm which I swore by called Generation Mama Nipple Balm - it's like magic honestly!