Advice needed

[LD1978]

You may of seen some of my posts in my struggle with breast feeding so after some advice. Emily was weighed today at day 10 and had lost 55g since day 5 and down 6.7% birthweight. We did start with formula top ups due to not feeding in hospital but I stopped to increase supply.

We haven't been discharged and will be re admitted to hospital tomorrow if she doesn't put on weight. I've been told to give 60ml top ups every 3 hours and it will have to be formula. My friend who's quite knowledgable on breast feeding said this will massively dwindle my supply. I've tried expressing but only got 25mk so will no way get enough to do my top ups this way. Also lately she goes to breast but isn't feeding well - am I not producing enough milk yet?

Any advice as I don't want to add all that formula and not produce enough myself as it's a catch 22. But I don't want her losing weight and being back in hospital. Any ideas what I can do? (She wasn't feeding last night and spent hours with her refusing boob til gave in with formula as she was so stressed and hungry) x

 

[Mum2betash]

If you top up with formula it will lessen your supply. My lo lost weight and didn't put much on when she was only having breast milk, I didn't give up, I carried on and a year later she is perfect. She is just a small baby. It's not the same as your situation, just sharing what happened for me. I don't know what the right thing to do would be, I hope someone can give you an answer soon. I hope you're ok xx

 

[knopk@]

If your supply is low, you need to boost asap. Fenugreek is a galactagogue or Domperidone works for most(sold as motilium over the counter). If you top up as they said, your supply will diminish further. Has shr been checked to TT? 25 ml is a good amount to express this early. Have you seen a LC?

 

[knopk@]

I was topping my son up couple of times a day before the drugs kicked in and.then stopped gradually. The more.they feed the more you produce. Is she waking up for feeds?

 

[LD1978]

Unfortunately I've had to top up as she's now not taking the breast. She was doing fine with it but since last night (and id not had formula for 4 days yesterday) she started fussing and not latching. She always sleeps at the breast and the lady I saw Tuesday said it can be slow milk flow. She had seemed constantly hungry I've tried so hard to persevere but I can't bear the thought that at 10 days she's losing weight still. I think the more bottles I'm giving the less she's wanting to breast feed. It's so sad

I'm trying to express and offer ebm but having to use the formula too.

I've tried so hard and gutted to be honest but I just feel like I can't see her starving and distressed.

I don't know what the answer is as I've seen a breast feeding lady from hospital Tuesday and the midwife said today the peadatrician will want her on top ups. I've also called helplines and spoke to countless people!

It's so frustrating as I really wanted to keep going. If I keep expressing and maintain supply will I ever get her off formula and back on boob xx

 

[LD1978]

Oh just to add she's not tongue tied and is waking for feeds but not feeding well off breast now x

 

[knopk@]

Please dont despair just yet, you are doing the.best you can. Can you ask for Domperidone on prescription(or you can buy yourself but more expensive). Its possible to move away from the formula but you have to use something that wont interfere with BFing - danger is she will get used to the fast flow. Have you though about medela calma or similar? Sometimes you have to top up to be successful but of course losing weight isnt good. How are her nappies? Xxx

 

[knopk@]

I know also some ladies used breast shields to help with latching. Big hugs for you, i had to mixed feed my first because nobody told me about domperidone xxx

 

[LD1978]

I've had the breast feeding lady make a surprise visit today she's recommended fenugreek and I'm to express after every feed. She fed well on breast this morning and they were happy with her feed and latch. Just topped up on expressed and she's settled. Managed to get another 45ml for her next top up and ordered a lanisoh double pump which she said was good (have medela swing at mo)

Her nappies have always been good - plenty of wet and dirty so was surprised on her weight loss. She put on 70g last night which is good but no doubt formula contributed to that. We have the calma but she seems to of gone off it, but she's been back on breast and bottle again today. They are confident I can still bf and said I just need to build supply. I'm going to keep going and express all I can so I use as little formula as poss!! They said I was doing well and need to give myself more credit. I am constantly pumping or feeding though but hope it's just short term!!

We mentioned the domperidone but they didn't feel was needed yet. They think compression, expressing and feeding should all help.

Wish me luck and thanks for the support x

 

[knopk@]

You need to give yourself lots of credit - not many people are so determined. Have you looked into avoiding dairy? Allergies can mean poor weight gain etc too.
Feel free to PM me, i have defeated low supply so would like to help if i can at all but it sounds like you are doing a fab job. I have heard good things about Ameda (hospital grade double), if you are an nct member, you get a discount i.think xxx

 

[LD1978]

Ah thanks - I think I'm just bloody minded and stubborn!! I must admit I do have times where I think will bottles just be easier and at least hubby can help!! They were pleased with the 70g gain and said that's a lot for one night. They said once they turn a corner it's usually ok!

The breastfeeding lady recommended a lansinoh double pump which I ordered as quite well priced. I'm hoping will cut my expressing time down.
Thanks for the help x

 

[BevG]

ive been thru the exact same, my lo lost 9.9% by day 6 and i was ordered to topup formula 80ml if i couldnt express enough, at 10 weeks we have been ebf since 6 weeks so persevere, dont give topups if shes satisfied once you have her gaining well and put her to boob at every opportunity, dont let the 4 week growth spurt defeat you, i did with dd1 as i didnt know what it was but this time i managed it with minimal topups and phased them out afterwards, i just kept putting her on boob and switching to the other one if need be. sometimes i even had to switch boobs more than once

 

[Claire123]

We were kind of in the same boat. Lo had jaundice when born so she was too sleepy to breast feed properly. She lost about 10% of her birth weight so we got her onto formula top ups. So at each feed I would try her on breast then express then give formula. It was once we were home. On day 10 that the breastfeeding suddenly all fell into place and we never needed formula again until I stopped breastfeeding at 6 months x

 

[LD1978]

Thanks ladies - I've decided to start doing some bottles - I'm shattered from all this and need to enjoy my baby more. Am going to do bottles at night as she's so hard to settle and means hubby can help and keep offering breast and top ups in the day. Will just take it day by day and see what happens x

 

[Claire123]

Thats all you can do hun, I totally believe in happy mummy = happy baby xx

 

[LD1978]

Thanks hun. Was hard for me to get to this point but ive tried my hardest and given it my all. I just want to enjoy my daughter as feel I've been so caught up in it all x