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Infant feeding

Get advice and support with infant feeding from other users here.

Original poster

low milk supply

11 replies

Chants73 · 06/05/2009 17:54

After a failed induction (lasting 4 days) i had an emergency c-section about 2.5 weeks ago. Baby fed for about half an hour whilst we were in recovery and seemed to feed well afterwards. However, he was in and out of special care due to high markers for infection and they found he had low blood sugar and advised me to supplement with formula-which I was not keen on but did do (in retrospect feel I was pressured in to this by the nurse).

Whilst in hospital I had lots of help getting the latch right etc, but one of the midwives spotted that baby did not swallow and it seemed I did not produce much milk-my supply has never really come in. I was advised to express every 3 hours to try and increase supply and to keep supplementing him with formula. I did the expressing every 3hours for a few days, but this started to play with my sanity so I stopped. I also produced very little milk expressing, even using hospital pump which I have borrowed to take home(between 5-10mls a time so it was very disheartening), and have been feeding him on the breast for as long as I can before topping up with formula. I've seen a BF counsellor a couple of times (she recommended the expressing every 3 hours). I do have PCOS and have been told that this can effect ability to BF (although only anecdotal evidence). He is happy to feed from me, looks for my breasts when hungry and seems to enjoy it.

I am figuring this limited BF followed by formula is the best I can do for my son and that at least he will get some benefit from my limited milk production and that I should give up on believing that I will ever be able to solely BF him, or that I can increase my production to any more than about 10mls at a time.

Just wondering if anyone has any experience of anything similar to this or any wise words
thanks

OP posts:
bambipie · 06/05/2009 18:02

Congratulations on your new baby! I'm not an expert but I don know that what you can express may not be a reflection of what the baby gets.

bambipie · 06/05/2009 18:03

I mean 'do know'. I'm someone helpful will be along soon!

bambipie · 06/05/2009 18:03

I mean 'do know'. I'm someone helpful will be along soon!

poopybaby · 06/05/2009 18:20

If its any help, I exclusively bf my 10wk old but if I express I get nothing out, so maybe baby getting more from you than you think?

tiktok · 06/05/2009 18:25

Chants - it's hard to see what's going on here.

Expressing in the absence of the baby removing the milk is essential, and doing it at least 8 times in 24 hrs (inc at night) is also essential to protect the milk supply.

To get a real handle on what's happening, can I ask

  • how much formula your baby is getting and how often?
  • how often he comes to the breast and what he does there? Does he have one, two or more breasts?
  • what is your baby's history of weight gain?
  • what are his nappies like?

It's true that expressing is not an indicator of what the baby gets.

Original poster
Chants73 · 06/05/2009 20:27

Thanks for the responses.

Baby was 17 days overdue and weighed 9lb 10oz at birth, he lost abit in the first 5 days and was down to 9lb3 oz and was then 9lb 12 oz at 9 days.

He has between 100ml and 130ml formuala at each feed about 6 times a day. The last 2 nights he has gone about 5.5 hours between feeds, but has less gaps during the day. I am feeding on demand.

He comes to my breast before each feed and sometimes in between as this seems to settle him. The amount of time he spends on me varies, but most times we do at least half an hour when it is a proper feed-he tends to fall asleep on the in-between ones! I try to alternate breasts and usually try to put him to both each time. he does seem to swallow more than he was, which makes me think that I am producing mroe milk than I was, but I am confident it is not enough to sustain him.

He produces regular wet nappies, generally with only one proper big poo a day which is also pretty wet, yellow and smelly.

OP posts:
tiktok · 06/05/2009 23:28

Chants, thanks for the info.

I take it he is about 10 pounds in weight now, maybe a bit more than this?

It's good he is happy to come to your breast and takes comfort there

But I have to say, this is a massive amount of formula - I calculate he is getting virtually all his needs for nutrition from formula - he must be, with this amount.He may well be getting comfort from the breast, and some milk, but in practical terms, he is getting all his food and fluid from the bottle.

To turn this round, you will need to work out a plan of action Even to retain some breastfeeding, you will need to plan it. The fact he is happy to be on the breast is in your favour.

Are you in touch with the health visitor? is she any good? Could she help you work out a plan?

Original poster
Chants73 · 07/05/2009 11:19

Thanks Tiktok-I am off to the BF feeding clinic today so will speak to the counsellor there.

OP posts:
Original poster
Chants73 · 07/05/2009 11:19

Sorry, forgot to ask, what kind of things do you think should be in the plan?

OP posts:
tiktok · 07/05/2009 11:25

Good luck at the clinic, Chants.

You will need to talk about

  • effective expressing - maybe a different pump, or try hand expressing

  • night feeding

  • signs that your milk supply is increasing

Original poster
Chants73 · 08/05/2009 09:52

thanks Tiktok-think i have a plan of action now

OP posts:
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