Back to breast?

[jennie2001]

Hi there im just after help really,
My little boy stopped breast feeding at 1 week due to constantly being on the breast feeding for an hour then half hour later back on for a hour all day and night every day since he was born. As I have 6 other children to look after too this wore me down to the point I made the decision to transfer from breast to bottles.
Hes now 13 weeks and has developed an intolerance to formula so the doctors have tried different medications/ milks which only help a little he'll gulp down around 5 oz each feed every 4 hours so is settled in a much better routine but I would like to try to transfer him back to breast as I feel we are much more settled now. I tried tonight for the first time and he latched straight on and suckled for about 15 mins then I changed sides he was happy sucking away for about another 10 mins.
Im just wondering has anyone else returned to breast after a 3 month gap and how they got on?

I believe you can do this with perseverance. I knew someone who breastfed her first and then adopted a baby, who she also breastfed.

If you really want to do this I suggest your contact a National Childbirth Trust breastfeeding counnsellor.

Thank you hes just gone back on the breast again he was more frustrated when he realised no milk was coming yet but continued to suck harder rather than unlatching. Theres a local breastfeeding group which has NCT counsellors on wednesday so ill keep trying till I get to speak to them :)

I know someone who did it with some perseverance. Start taking fenugreek tablets to increase your supply; try to express after you feed him because even if you don't get anything at first it will encourage your supply to increase. It is possible and I'm sure a breastfeeding counselor would be able to give you some more advice. Good luck!

What was the gap between the two DC's purplecoat? That's amazing!

I haven't tried that before, OP. But I would imagine that if you are still producing milk that you can restart, BFing is usually a case of supply and demand!

Good luck!

What about using a supplemental nursing system e.g. this one? I haven't done so myself but I think it could help you establish supply as your baby would receive milk when he suckled - even if your milk isn't there yet - which would encourage him to keep sucking and not get frustrated, and eventually you could phase out the supplementary bit?

Thank you!:) I knew about expressing after as it's what I've done with all of mine to increase supply but this is first time going back to breast :).
I'll pick up some fenugreek tablets tomorrow and hubbys looking into that supplement system at the mo so hopefully it'll all help :)

It's absolutely doable if you want to try. Definitely seek out some support with it. Good luck!

What do you mean by intolerance to formula? Just checking it's not the milk in formula? If so you may need to not eat any dairy yourself, and it can take a few weeks to fully clear your system. Apologies if that's irrelevant. Good luck with reestablishing feeding.

I dont eat dairy myself as I have an intolerance to it too I asked my health visitor and doctor about changing him over to a specialist milk like nanny care or soya based but the doctor decline to move away from cows milk based and just prescribed gaviscon instead saying its just reflux which hasnt helped, she said if that doesnt work well try a different medication. I had this with my second eldest and had to fight to get them to allow me to change her milk away from cows based. All my kids have some level of intolerance to dairy ranging from just an grumpy stomach to full on projectile vomiting as they got older they have settled but if they eat too much dairy dont I know it :(

Not quite the same but my supply dropped massively after a weekend away and serious pump failure (long story) and I took motilium to up my supply again. Didn't get back to full feeding (DD was 4 months, kept going with mostly breastfeeding til 7 months) but it definitely helped. Worth a google coz I can't remember exactly why, how much etc. Good luck!

Kelly Mom and La Leche League have good resources.

kellymom.com/bf/got-milk/relactation/

www.laleche.org.uk/relactation-induced-lactation/

It might be worth joining your local la leche league Facebook group and posting this question on there. Also contacting a lactation consultant which you can often do for free at a local breastfeeding cafe. The Facebook group would point you in the right direction there.
Good luck

Just a thought, could your baby have a tongue tie? The frequent feeding and reflux symptoms would fit. If they think your baby has a milk intolerance then why not refer to a dietician for specialist milk - seems like they are just treating reflux symptoms?
It is possible to get him back on the breast but if you can afford it, I would seek help from a reputable lactation counsellor - they can also fully assess feeding and see if possible tie. Good luck x