Can you buy EBM from a milk bank in England?

[firstontheway]

I'm currently mixed feeding my 4 week old, and reading a La Leache book called 'making more milk.' It mentions that in America, you can be prescibed/ buy EBM from milk banks if you are unable to breastfeed or need to supplement, even if your baby is otherwise healthy. In this country I've only heard of this in hospital based milk banks for sick/ premature babies, do any of you know if theres anything like the American banks over here?

No. Is there anything we can do to help you wih breastfeeding ?

:} Thanks Grendle...

I kind of thought that was the case as a few google searches came up fruitless! I think it'd be a nice idea though, but at the moment I guess there's not enough donated milk for sick babies, let alone healthy infants.

My 'mixed feeding' started off basically formula feeding with a drops of breastmilk thrown into the mix (obtained by poor baby sucking on boob for about an hour pre bottle feed!) But I do think my supplies increasing. esp in the night/ morning, I can tell I feel a bit fuller, and I'm getting mostly breastfed baby poo than formula I think. Also she's begun to vomit little amounts after her bottle which makes me wnder if she's getting too uch? Do you think it would be worth spoon or cup feeding her to see if she still chooses to take the same amount of formula? I'm just worried she's only drinking it because she's so sucky and she has no choice!

Hmm, that was a

It sounds really encouraging that you feel your supply is incresing . Most mums who top up with formula but want to cut back find that they have to take the lead and reduce the top-up, as lots of babies will drink whatever is offered in a bottle. You could certainly try a cup or a spoon and see how she responds. Kellymom has some suggestions for decreasing top-ups. It's usually best done in conjunction with a concerted effort to allow baby as much access as possible to the breasts, for example by retiring to bed with the baby, a TV remote/books/DVDs/snacks and drinks. Lots of skin-to-skin contact is great for building milk supply too.

Are you topping up after every breastfeed? How much formula is she having per 24hrs? Is she gaining some weight?

The other thing to think about is why you started giving top-ups to start off with. For example, if it was because you were sore, then have things changed so that you can avoid the same problem again? Often getting some support from a bf expert on one of the national helplines or from a local support group can be really helpful in this sort of situation.

Good luck .

Thanks, that's a brilliant link!
I'm getting a hospital grade pump today from my local La Leche group so hopefully that will help too

I'm giving a bottle every 4-5 hours, about 4 oz- pretty much her daily requirement But I'm breastfeeding for between a half hour and an hour before hand and then in between for 'snacks'! As for weight, she was born at 3.2 then dropped to 2.52 (which is why we began top ups as we were re-admitted at 6 days old.) She was last weighed last Tuesday (3 weeks 3 days) and was 3.12 then so almost back to BW. But taht's having full top ups. I'm not sure how much she's gained since, but is having lots of dirty (every feed) and wet nappies, plus she looks bigger and has outgrown the early baby clothes we had to borrow hastily when she lost so much weight!

It's good to hear you have LLL near you. They may well be able to offer you support? It sounds like she's doing well.

Expressing can be hard work, but it is a good way to help get your supply up .