4 week old gone off breast

[CRainbow1]

Hi Ladies,

im after some advice, I’ve just had my third baby, breastfed from birth. However we was referred to the prolong jaundice clinic as baby’s levels were high, was advised to introduce formula to baby a few times a day to help with the jaundice as breastfeeding can prolong it.

Now my baby is really struggling to latch back to my boob and I feel devasted. I am offering him my boob before every feed, I have heard nipple shields also, baby tries for a few minutes then gets frustrated, therefore I has to offer him breastmilk in a bottle. It’s become a vicious cycle. I also don’t realise how hard and time consuming pumping is, I find it harder then breastfeeding on demand.

this is my first time breastfeeding as my first two were formula fed. Any advice would be much appreciated.

thank you mummies. Xxx

So sorry you’re having difficulty. If you can afford to hire a proper breastfeeding consultant, IBCLC qualified, that’s probably your best bet. But also ask your midwife team
what breastfeeding support it available, maybe a drop in support cafe or infant feeding outreach

Can you just stop pumping and offering bottle completely?
Go back to skin on skin, lots of cuddles and feed all day, curl up with treats and TV - have you a partner to help with other two.
They're so little I'd be hoping it would resolve easily.
For what its worth one of mine was still really jaundiced at 7/8 weeks and it was fine xx

Also, getting frustrated at the breast encouraged mine to improve their latch as I would latch them off if it wasn't right and they really persevere when they realise they have to do it better..I would gently really try to keep getting tbem to latch on esp if they could at the start and not offer bottle if at all possible xx

Thank you so much ladies for your replies. I just worry that if I persist too much he’ll go hungry and be hysterical! The first 3 weeks he had a great latch and would feed perfectly, it’s so disheartening.

Also @Rowen32 if I stop pumping and he isn’t feeding enough won’t my supply drop? Xx

I suppose it would yes but hopefully if his feeding picks up it wont be an issue🤞🤞