Breastfeeding

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Hi all,

So I gave birth 3 days ago, as soon as I gave birth I breastfed for over an hour which I was surprised by. Then in the hospital, was fine, yesterday was but last night was awful, and today I've had to ring my mum to get her to get me some formula.

I'm trying to get a midwife over to help look at his latch, but will it hurt just to give him some formula? He's hungry and I'm worn down.

Has your milk come in yet? What was particularly awful about last night- was he feeding and feeding non-stop?

@BertrandRussell I don't think so? He was but the only difference was every time he was sucking he would then cry and unlatch, so I thought he had wind but nothing? So I'm thinking he isn't latching well?

A little formula isn't going to hurt him. Just be careful giving to much can reduce your supply. Keep trying the latch and hopefully someone will be able to come help soon.

Well- your milk usually comes in on the 3rd day- so if you can, give it a little bit longer. It can be so hard at the beginning, but it sounds as if you’re doing a great job! Are you remembering to eat and drink? And don’t try to do anything else at the moment.

@NotSoThinLizzy I've just given him some again. Obviously my nipples are sore, he's dozed off but it won't be long before he cries again. Trying to get in touch with a midwife but nothing yet

@BertrandRussell thanks and I know I did do it with my daughter but I had a lot of support in the first week. I think because they know I have done it before I can do it again. I'm really trying but I don't want him to be hungry and upset.

Ask your midwife to see if they can arrange for a lactation consultant to come to your house. I had one and they found my baby was tongue tied and latch was bad. We used Brest shields for a while as baby found them easier to latch onto and we got his tongue snipped. Keep asking for help they are so keen to help mothers continue breastfeeding. Good luck x

Also I took floradix and my milk came in v quickly after that x

Try expressing a little each time you give formula so your body will keep getting signals to make milk. My milk didnt come in until 4 days after. Keep at it 😊

@Oct18mummy ah ok useful. I will see what they say when they ring. Just waiting for a phone call to see if a midwife is gonna come out or if I have to go see them. I will try anything. I have formula as a back up - but hopefully we can still breastfeed.

Have you got any local La Leche League meetings or breastfeeding clinics?
It's so hard at the beginning.

Don’t automatically assume there’s a problem! Day 3 is when the milk usually first appears- give it a bit longer before doing anything else.

www.nationalbreastfeedinghelpline.org.uk/

They open at 9.30am, give them a ring for a chat and they’ll be able in advise

@DontBuyANewMumCashmere yes I think we have?

@BertrandRussell I know he could be getting mad because he can smell it and want it more. Fingers crossed they can help me out today

@TweakMyHouse thank you

Most areas have breastfeeding support led by a professional and supported by trained volunteers who have all breast fed themselves. Ask your midwife or local antenatal clinic for details or look it up online.Don't give up. It's hard at first but very early days yet and your milk will probably not have come through yet.

@genie10 I know, I don't remember it very well with my first. Will keep trying, thank u