Please I need advice

[guest477337]

I breast fed my Newborn for the first 12 hours and he latched on fantastically. I have loads of milk so it wasn't an issue.

The next 24 hours I really struggled he wouldn't latch on properly but I though was still getting enough.

3 days old and he has crystals in his wee and is therefore dehydrated! I've started expressing and cup feeding him to up his intake. I've tried to put him to breast but he won't latch on 😩😩 I'm getting really upset.

My question is could I express from now on every 3 hours and feed him with a bottle but it'll still be breast milk?

I feel a bit I a failure.

I expressed every three hours for about 7 months - my DS only had breast milk until then, but god it was hard work, especially at night and I think it really contributed to my PND. I had the same issue with the latch after getting a tongue tie corrected.

Can you contact an NCT breastfeeding counsellor, lactation consultant or look for a drop in session near you?

It absolutely can be done, but I wish I'd had more support at the start as I think feeding at the breast would be so much easier than all the pumping, sterilising etc.

Please dont feel a failure, bf doesnt go easily for everyone. If you can express comfortably and get a decent amount of course you can do that. Its whatever works best for you and your baby that matters. Maybe ask the HV about tongue tie if the issue is deffinatly latch and not supply. Be kind to yourself

Look into what breastfeeding groups there are locally and try to get to one if you can.

In the meantime research some different positions to see if that helps.

Express and bottle feed if he'll take a bottle for now. You can also try nipple shields.

It can be difficult for lots of mothers. You aren't a failure at all.

You are definitely NOT a failure! Bf is surprisingly hard, really hard at the beginning. You know your supply isn't the issue so you need help with the latch. Do you still have MWs come & visit? Maybe they could help, I was blessed with a fantastic MW who sorted out the latch problem very quickly. You would definitely benefit from RL support, you should have a telephone number in your maternity pack for this. He may have tongue tie or something but the sooner it's established the better. Try not to stress (I really know how hard this is, many tears were shed by me). While you seek RL bf support keep up with the pumping to maintain your supply and have a look at Kelly moms website it saved my sanity until I got help. It's all salvageable you're doing great.

Firstly Please please call this wonderful organisation

www.laleche.org.uk/telephone-helpline/

Secondly, go to your nearest breastfeeding cafe first thing in the morning to get advice and support on the latch

I tried BF for 4 days and it was the hardest thing I’ve done for a long time! You are not a failure, if you are keen to continue then get support today but if you choose to change to FF then you are not alone and your baby will be fine. It was the right decision for our baby and I have no regrets. X

It is still very early days for you both. Are you sure he is dehydrated, have you seen the mw and/ or bf counsellor to check? It could be that as your milk comes in he finds it more tricky to latch on so advice on alternative positions could help you. If you express he would still benefit from your bm but it would be worth expressing a little before trying to latch him on in case it is the initial speed or fullness that is an issue. Good luck with your lo.