Is a return to B-feeding possible?

[CJMommy]

Ok, long story short......exclusively bf for 8 week, introduced formula for last feed of day and then use of formula gradually became more frequent. We are now at 17 weeks and for the last 5 weeks, DS has just been having a bf in the morning and formula for the rest of the time. This was until last week when he totally refused to bf and has done so ever since! I was never totally happy when we went to mostly formula feeds (even though it was my decision) and have always wished that I'd continued with exclusive bf). I feel very guilty at times and really miss the 'closeness' of b-fing. I am currently sitting here expressing in the hope that it will re-stimulate my supply - will this work and how do I get DS to accept the breast again....he currently just cries and pulls his head away if I try to latch him on?

It is possible, but I'm no expert on this. Hopefully tiktok or mears will see this and can help.

Keep trying to latch DS on, and expressing as often as you can in the meantime.

Yes, it is possible, have a look at kellym,om to give you a general idea.
Best to get some proper help straight away though, the numbers for the helplines are all on my profile.
Good Luck.

Yes, it is certainly possible, but it will help to take the chance to talk to someone in real life about it.

What happened to you is, well, it's what happens when formula creeps up on you, and it's why I am never comfortable when people on mumsnet tell others that 'mixed feeding' is no problem and that they find it works really well...it too often ends up as full ff, which is not what the mum planned. You did well, and it prob reflects a basically good supply, to continue with one feed only for 5 weeks with a comparatively young baby.

Your baby refused, because the flow/supply was not satisfying him. But this can be address with frequent expressing - at least 8 x a day if you can. Once or twice a day will not work at all. And from the baby end of things, he needs lots of skin to skin cuddles so he remembers what a nice place the breast is

But give the helplines a call and this will help you make up your mind

Thank you all. You are so right about ff creeping up on you tiktok!! Will take your advice and see what happens.......DS has actually just spent ten mins on breast....1st time in days!

WOW!!

If he comes back to the breast as readily as that, then you really don't need to express 8 x a day....you can probably get away with less.

Thats great CJMommy. The more he's on the breast the more it will be stimulated and want to produce more (aswell as the frequent expressing). You may also find feeding in a quiet, maybe darkened?, room will help as they can get easily distracted at this age. Also maybe try before every sleep time too to reassure him how snuggly breast is. Good luck. It may take a week to get your supply back up so don't get disheartened, you can turn this around.