When to pump when starting combi feeding?

[snm88]

I have a gorgeous 12 day old baby but we are struggling with this feeding malarkey. I’d hoped to not introduce a bottle for combi feeding until he was about a month old but my nipples are so ruined and the nipple shields aren’t really working for us as he just doesn’t seem to be getting the milk through them. So I’ve resolved to introduce feeding a bottle of expressed milk once a day to give myself a break. But when’s the best time to pump to avoid oversupply? Advice dearly welcomed.

Oh I'm sorry this is the hardest bit of breastfeeding. Have you had much support? In my experience (breastfed 2 children beyond a year) these early weeks are so tough and it can be so important to get support.

I would start by finding your local LLL or calling the breastfeeding network, ask your HV (I even went back to the hospital where I had my second child when they were ten days old because I know in the post birth ward they have amazing lactation support) basically you want someone to help you with that latch so your poor nipples aren't in so much pain, if you can afford it speak to a private lactation consultant.

Mam breast compressions off amazon for the pain and have your breasts bra free and naked as much as possible (I did this with my second and it made such a difference)

Pumping you will get most output first thing in the morning so maybe just pump after the first feed and then that's your bottle ready for later. If you have worries about your supply then you may need to pump in the middle of the night instead that's then your prolactin (hormone to trigger milk) is highest

I have a massive oversupply and avoid pumping because of it, using a Hakka pump instead of an electric one I find I get as much milk but less likely to cause myself an injury. You could use a Hakka on the opposite breast when you are feeding perhaps depending on feeding position / how big your breasts are etc

I didn’t Combi-feed so can’t really help with that.

I would second the suggestion of getting some support though. The BFing Helplines are open and taking calls now

This article on healing your nipples might help. Are you taking paracetamol to help with the pain?

And has baby been checked over by a Tongue Tie Practitioner?

This is a HARD HARD HARD time. Our latch wasn't great for the first few days and then it honestly took like 6 weeks to heal and until then my nipples were incredibly sore. I'd advise seeing a lactation consultant ASAP.

Pumping may not help much as they are harsh on the nipples, just in a different way. Baby will be more gentle than a pump if you get the latch right.

Agree with getting tge latch checked. I don’t know if this video is of any use?

I used to just pump once a day on each side for 10-15 mins in the evenings when baby was cluster feeding. I'd feed on one side and pump with a hands free pump on the other. As I was trapped breastfeeding for the entire time anyway, it didn't feel like something 'extra' to do. I never had any problems with it. I didn't pump a huge amount of milk though - by 6 weeks it wasn't enough to keep up with even 3-4 bottles a week so we would do a mix of formula then as well. My supply also regulated by then with DC1 and a bit later say 8ish weeks with DC2, and 12 weeks with DC3, so I sacked it off at those points as wasn't worth the discomfort from pumping when I'd barely get anything then at all. Just used formula from then for the few bottles a week.