Breastfeeding help! PLEASE

[IloveGod2]

Hi all. Its been an emotional journey so far🥺. I had baby 2 weeks ago via C-SEC but unfortunately I was rushed to hospital due to infection, scar lightly open and chest infection. I've been away from baby for 4 days now and I can't stop crying. I feel so bad. I do thank God that she is with her dad. I've asked so many times for baby to come here but the hospital said the dept I'm in now isn't clean/safe enough but they are hoping if all looks good for me to leave tomorrow or move wards for baby to join when space is available 🙏. I've had to express in hospital for now.
My question is how do I reintroduce baby to breastfeeding, cos her dad has been giving her formula? Shall I start gradually or just do exclusively as I was days ago? I hope baby remembers me and latching on 🙏🤞. Any advice/experience welcome. Thanks

See how it goes, I think. Latch baby on, remember that the more you feed the more your supply grows. Too up with formula if needed. Get baby’s weight monitored so you know if she’s feeding. Go easy on yourself and don’t beat yourself up if bf doesn’t work. You’ve been through a serious complication and will feel exhausted probably so honestly just give it a go and be kind to yourself.

All the hospital of they have a breastfeeding expert on the post natal ward. Also try to contact your local la leche, they should be able to help too.

Good news is that I think it is possible to get back to breastfeeding

Hopefully you won't need to but if you have issues try nipple shields as they mimic the bottle. I had to do this after my daughter spent time in NICU being bottle fed. You can then gradually stop using the shields. I think it's pretty bad that the hospital won't let the baby in btw, sorry that's happened and be gentle with yourself.

Gosh you poor thing. That sounds totally hideous. I can’t believe you’ve not seen a newborn baby for that time.

I would just spend a lot of time skin to skin bare breasted with baby in bed when you’re home. But also (and this is so easy for me to say) do not beat yourself up about it; your body has been through an immense trauma and be kind to it.

Definitely ask what specialist feeding support you can access.

Hey @IloveGod2

Congratulations on giving birth to a healthy baby.

Talking from experience. DC was poorly at birth. I was not producing enough milk due to emergency c section. DC was in nicu and was given formula. During these 3-4 days, I kept pumping to increase my flow.

When DC was out of NICU he was initially refusing breast. I offered only breast. I kind of pressed on the nipple so that he could smell the milk coming out. He started on breast and it was fine.

He happy breastfed for the next 2 years plus, and never had formula again.

Oh bless you that sounds so tough. BF is supply and demand so when you get home (which I hope is very soon) just stay in bed with your bubba, skin to skin and let her feed as much as she wants. This should help build up your supply. It won't be easy but you probably can get there. It will take perseverance. Be kind to yourself, your body has been through a hell of a lot and emotionally you've been through something incredibly difficult.

Was she latching ok before you had to go back in?

Feed baby often from you, minimum of 30 mins, offer a bottle afterwards

Can dad cup feed baby instead of using a bottle? It should prevent baby getting nipple confusion.
Hope you feel better soon!

Thank you all for your reply. @Llamapolice how long did you not Brestfeed baby for?

@scaredsadandstuck thank you. I'm just sad. Miss her so much. Yes was doing exclusive before. She was really good with latching on. I just pray she hadn't forgotten. I will do chest to chest and give her a nice longgggg cuddle.

Sorry ladies also been prescribed antibiotics called clindamycin capsules. Is this safe to take while breastfeeding. Doc says yes but leaflet say different. Any experience? Thank u

@IloveGod2 About 18 month in the end. I wasn't able to breastfeed her until she was 14 days old but after a weekend of intense feeding to get established it was completely fine, so you can definitely do it.

@IloveGod2 sorry I misread your question but you get the gist!

www.breastfeedingnetwork.org.uk/drugs-factsheets/

Has loads of info on drugs.

Do as much baby to breast and skin to skin as you can. Also google relactation on Kelly mom website. Phone the NCT breastfeeding helpline whenever you need a bit of support too. You can totally do this!

All drugs leaflets will say not safe to take while breastfeeding as they just cover their own backs as no trials ever done on pregnant/ breastfeeding women. So ignore that. Follow the link above for breastfeeding network and follow their advice great website.

I would also kick up a HUGE stink. You should absolutely not be separated from your baby. Ask them what their breastfeeding mums policy is and demand to see a midwife/ feeding support team/ head of midwifery. If you are not moved to a side room asap or the post natal ward keep demanding to see matron up all way up to head of nursing- it’s the weekend now so if still failing demand to speak to consultant on call ask to speak to the manager on call do not take no for an answer they either move you to the postnatal ward or get you a side room where you can have baby with you and breast feed baby. This it’s not clean for baby is crap. At least baby should be being brought to you regularly to feed this is when an exception to the no visiting m rule should be made

You’re going to be fine but you shouldn’t be put in this position.

Do you tweet? Get on on Twitter this sort of thing blows up on there

And do not take doctors words for it. No offence but most doctors do not have any experience or knowledge on breastfeeding and do not understand the consequences of just stopping for a few days. Unless it is a female doctor who has breastfed or experience of supporting breastfeeding- which I would ask them directly- do you have experience in breastfeeding - do not take their advice. You need baby with you visiting you very frequently because that is what is appropriate. They do not teach anything about breastfeeding in medical school

@Tablechairlight

All drugs leaflets will say not safe to take while breastfeeding as they just cover their own backs as no trials ever done on pregnant/ breastfeeding women. So ignore that. Follow the link above for breastfeeding network and follow their advice great website.

I would also kick up a HUGE stink. You should absolutely not be separated from your baby. Ask them what their breastfeeding mums policy is and demand to see a midwife/ feeding support team/ head of midwifery. If you are not moved to a side room asap or the post natal ward keep demanding to see matron up all way up to head of nursing- it’s the weekend now so if still failing demand to speak to consultant on call ask to speak to the manager on call do not take no for an answer they either move you to the postnatal ward or get you a side room where you can have baby with you and breast feed baby. This it’s not clean for baby is crap. At least baby should be being brought to you regularly to feed this is when an exception to the no visiting m rule should be made

You’re going to be fine but you shouldn’t be put in this position.

Do you tweet? Get on on Twitter this sort of thing blows up on there

And do not take doctors words for it. No offence but most doctors do not have any experience or knowledge on breastfeeding and do not understand the consequences of just stopping for a few days. Unless it is a female doctor who has breastfed or experience of supporting breastfeeding- which I would ask them directly- do you have experience in breastfeeding - do not take their advice. You need baby with you visiting you very frequently because that is what is appropriate. They do not teach anything about breastfeeding in medical school

What @Tablechairlight said. I hope it has resolved for you

@Tablechairlight thanks so much. I out my foot down today and threaten to discharge myself if baby can't come here. So they are given me a few more drips and have asked me to come in every other day to do blood test till the test show improvement. At least I can cop with that. Thanks again ladies

Definitely kick up a huge stink. I was readmitted for very similar reasons to you following my section (was in hospital for 2 weeks) baby never left my side. I did every feed. I suggest you complain, there is no reason why you should be separated from your baby x

OP how is it going?

I agree with @inthesky42 when you have time and headspace please consider feedback to PALS this was not acceptable treatment / no compromise or attempts to find a workable solution. If they don’t have a policy they need to make one now. Ask for a response and an update on how they are going to move forward creating a policy so future women don’t suffer (when u have time I know you have a newborn!!)

Hi all Thanks so much guys. Currently home and feeding baby as I write now lol. I cam home on sat. I put my foot down and said if I can't bring baby I'm gonna discharge myself or they discharge me. It's really bad that a hospital cannot make facilities for a new born and it's mother. Apparently I was meant to go to another ward where baby could have come but it was full 🙄. Anyway I just need to stay hydrated which I can do from home.and I go in every now and again to get checked..these people really have to change their policy or make better accommodation for things like things. There were 2 other women who also had to pump as they wouldn't allow their baby also. So sad really. Anyway I'm happy am back home with baby and the kids. 🙏❤️