After being sent to hospital with my 4 day old DD and then being admitted for 24 hour monitoring of feeds, I have been slowly trying to re-establish breastfeeding and get DD's weight on the up again. Having been made to bottle feed EBM while in hospital, I have only been able to get DD on the breast with a nipple shield. While I was happy to at least get her on again, I do have some concerns and wondered if anybody could advise?
- I am aware that milk supply can be affected by use of a nipple shield and have been pumping to try and compensate for this. Is this right or is there anything else I can do?
- I know that milk transfer can be compromised by use of a nipple shield so (having read an excellent article on kellymom) have been paying attention to her latch and keeping a close eye on how long she feeds for and for signs that she is getting enough (eg she has 5 or 6 wet nappies and 2 yellow soiled nappies a day). I am telling myself that as long as the signs are good, that I have time on my side to try and get her onto my bare breast. Is this right or is it going to get to a point where she doesn't know what to do with a bare breast? I try and offer it to her after a short time on the shield/expressing but she is still confused.
- I am also topping her up with EBM if she seems hungry still and this is by bottle so I can make sure it is sufficient. I have tried cup feeding before with another DD and seemed to get more on her than in her. I have taken the view that needs must but am I actually making the process harder by offering her a bottle (ie adding to the nipple confusion with 3 different things being poked into her mouth)? Her top ups are 2-3 times a day.
- Her latest weigh in by the midwife was after a 5 day break and she had gained 100g. I read that 170g/6-8 oz is a good gain. Does 100g in 5 days seem too little? All other signs are good - ie she settles well when sleeping and when awake is alert, wet/soiled nappies etc.
- I also have a Super Boob which is doing most of the feeding and the other boob, where let down is not so good, is having to be pumped as I worry that the flow is not sufficient through the shield. Occasionally I try to get her on the notsogood boob as I suspect her stimulating it is more effective than the pump. Is this the right way to approach it? I still have some lumps in the underarm on that side - is this because the pump is not quite clearing the milk ducts? Will it go over time as it has been about 10 days now and I am paranoid about mastitis having had it before with each of my DC!
Sorry for such along list of questions and I am eternally grateful to anyone who can face responding to me. I think I will also see if I can see a RL bf counseller who can advise from observation.