Expressing for newborn - which would be better?

[eastofeden86]

Hello,

DD is a month old and sadly breastfeeding wasn’t possible for us, despite help from a lactation consultant and local infant feeding team (issues with baby’s ability to suck and with my supply - still a very sore spot for me as I’d desperately hoped to get past these and BF).

I’ve been expressing breast milk to be able to give as 30-40% of her feeds with the rest made up as formula. Now partner is back at work, and with a coliciky baby who’s all about the contact nap, my pumping schedule feels unsustainable - particularly as DD’s requirements increase.

So - which do you think would be better for her?

• 6 weeks of breast milk, 2/6 feeds a day.
• 8 weeks of breast milk, 1/6 feeds a day.

I really want her to have as many of the health benefits of breast milk as is possible without it stopping us bonding or impacting my mental health (which feeding struggles already have). She did get colostrum early on, so hopefully some good antibodies from there.

I would guess 6 weeks of 2 feeds per day, because the benefits are dose-dependant but also more relevant the younger the baby if that makes sense? So I would probably want to get as much in as quickly as possible.

But it probably doesn't matter that much either way.

Hi, I’m not sure which of your options would be best - I think either would work, whichever you choose will be great for your daughter.

I just want to say that it sounds like you’ve done an amazing job with breastfeeding, there is a book by Amy Brown called ‘why breastfeeding grief and trauma matter’ I’ve not read it but I’ve heard good reviews and thought it might be helpful to you.

Congratulations on your little one, you are doing a great job x

Could you do both so 4 weeks of 2 feeds and then 4 weeks of one?

I don’t know if the math is correct there but front loading it and then slowly reduce the amount rather than 2 breast milk then nothing.

@Lemongrass9 thank you, that’s really kind of you to say. Someone else mentioned that book, I must check it out x

@Lemongrass9 Sorry, I wasn’t very clear - I think I need to wrap up pumping in the next 2-4 weeks as my supply isn’t keeping up with demand (and on a practical level, my pump is rented and needs to be returned!)

@BertieBotts Thanks, that makes sense

@LemonSwan whoops, replied to wrong person! Sorry @Lemongrass9

I think I need to wrap up pumping in the next 2-4 weeks as my supply isn’t keeping up with demand (and on a practical level, my pump is rented and needs to be returned!)

I pumped exclusively for 4m with dc1, and it was mental-health-shredding. However, at that stage, dc became able to latch on with nipple shields. Wish I'd tried again earlier! He then ditched the nipple shields after a few weeks and we carried in with b/f for another year. It was the same story with dc2, but armed with my previous experience, I tried her again after 2m of pumping and off we went.

So I'm wondering if it is worth you having a last go, with nipple shields, assuming you haven't tried for a few weeks? Your supply will soon adjust if baby can just get the hang of sucking.

Ignore me if trying would just stir up all the old issues though.

A shorter period is better as your breast milk changes in composition over time to match the changing needs of your baby. So better to use your supply up while your baby is of a similar age to when you pumped it.

Well done OP - you've done so well to get to this point.

@Mumsnut that’s really interesting. If you don’t mind me asking, what was the issue stopping your DCs breastfeeding? DD has a high palate, and can latch with nipple shields, but doesn’t get the signal to start sucking effectively so doesn’t stimulate letdown. There’s also an element of laziness/bottle preference now, despite paced feeding etc.

I am tempted to try again but - and I know this sounds ridiculous, she’s a tiny baby - I’m sort of scared to as we both got so stressed and upset by BFing. Hmmm.

@MagicTurtle thank you

Hi OP,

DC1 had a high palate also, and both mine were NICU babies so we missed the golden moment I think.

What made the difference for me with nipple shields was this little item:

www.amazon.co.uk/Nuanchu-Irrigation-Disposable-Graduated-Irrigator/dp/B097MRJCS4/ref=sr_1_4?crid=1P2R2E9JYW826&keywords=orthodontic+syringe&qid=1654587538&sprefix=orthodontic+syringe%2Caps%2C138&sr=8-4

My lactation consultant brought it. Basically, we filled it with expressed milk, slid it under the nipple shield (the tip is quite fine so if didn't disturb the 'seal' overmuch), and pulsed a little into the nipple shield when dc1 latched. This gave him the impetus to suck and swallow and suck again, so he was getting bm as well. Then I would shoot in a little more from the syringe to keep him going, he would suck, etc etc. After a few days, we didn't need the syringe.

The key is, don't squirt in a rhythm, or baby will just anticipate and swallow what you pulse in. Keep the rhythm irregular, so baby keeps sucking rather than just waiting for a free mouthful.

It is a faff, so if you try, wait until your husband is around to help.

But the difference was amazing: from expressing for every feed, which cut even further into my sleep, and constantly washing bottles and pump, to just needing breasts and nipple shields. We started going out and about every day. And as I said, even the nipple shields went a few weeks later - they really do get so much bigger and stronger after the first month.