advice on getting back to exclusivly breast feeding

[holly1]

Hi ladies,

Just wanted some advice on how to get back to exclusively breast feeding my lo who is 3 weeks old.

At one week old my lo lost a lot of weight and had jaundice and had to go into hospital as a result they needed me to express to monitor how much he was getting and then I had to top up with formula as they wanted him to drink plenty to regain his weight, I didn't have a problem with this as I wanted what is best for my son and for him to be healthy. I was advised that I could go back to breast feeding but should try and feed him every 3 hours and with 60 ml, obviously breast feeding I couldn't tell how much he was getting so continued to express and top up to reach this as I was so paranoid of making sure he had the right amount. He has now put on his weight and is healthy and drinks a lot more than 60 ml which mw said was fine to let him dictate how much he needs.

How ever im feeling really bad about giving him formula now (im not saying formula isn't good or that its bad to do so) but personally I am feeling a bit down about doing this. Weirdly before I had him I didn't want to bf but now I love it and want to continue and feel so guilty about topping up. I have tried to bf since and he has latched a few times but very rarely so im still expressing roughly 50-70 ml every 3 hours and topping up with formula.

Firstly is it to late to now exclusively breast feed?
is my supply to low?
Im also very worried that he wont get enough from me and he will lose weight again and I really don't want to make him unwell again?
If I can exclusively breast feed how do I go about this and get out of my current routine, do I just stop expressing now and when he wakes for his next feed just give him breast?

Am I being selfish for wanting to exclusively breast feed again, when he is doing so well? and I am managing to give him half his feed with ebm? I know the mw and hospital said that it was all due to his jaundice why he was so unwell and lost weight but I cant help thinking that it was all my fault in that I wasn't producing enough and put him in that position and I don't want my feelings to put him back in that situation again.

Im so confused as to what to do for the best. would love your advice and opinions and for anyone that has been in a similar situation what did you do?

Thank you and sorry for the long post x

 

[flisstebbs]

I'd get someone to help you with latch asap, then take a nursing vacation, where you spend 2 days in bed skin to skin (you in pants, baby in nappy) feeding on demand. The theory is no formula in this time but although this helped me I couldn't quite get down to none. If you see the motilium thread, you'll see I'm trying this too for supply issues and it does seem to be helping.

 

[Samantha55]

I also had to use Montlium to boost my supply after baby's slow weight gain. I was prescribed this by MW so worth asking about. I'm sure you can get back to ebf but definitely get help fromMW/HV who will be more knowledgable in this.

Good luck! Xx

 

[babyem]

Has anyone checked LO for lip tie? LM had an upper lip tie which meant latching was awful xx

 

[SaraLouise]

I agree with babyem, our problems were partly to do with severe upper lip tie, we used nipple shields for the whole 5 months as he found it too painful to latch without them (might be worth a try, medela shields are the only ones recommended by midwives).

I also second the motilium, it really helps increase supply, you can buy it over the counter but it works out pricey, or get it on prescription x

 

[KellyC89]

I'm in a similar position to you Holly1 as my LO was ill when born and in an incubator and I couldn't EBF and now he has broncholitis (sp?) he hasn't BF for 3 days. We were just getting back to mainly breastfeeding too! I try to express everytime he feeds from the bottle but I used to be able to do 4oz and now I can only get 2oz in one sitting. My aim isn't to EBF but to give bottle feeds when I am out and about. I would like it to be expressed breast milk in the bottle too rather than formula but I always have formula as emergency!

My LO is 5 weeks and I spoke to my midwife friend about my supply yesterday and she told me it isn't too late to go back to EBF. She said I need to make sure I'm drinking lots of fluids and eating more than usual. Supply can dwindle on diet alone. She also told me lots of skin to skin and as someone else mentioned on this thread to persevere and have a few days were I just breastfeed on demand. Though it sounds tiring it's definitely worth a shot! As my LO is pretty unwell atm we are trying to BF still every time but my main priority is to keep him hydrated as they've told me he'll need to go into hospital if he isn't feeding!

Good luck with it and I'll be stalking this thread to pick up any tips myself!

 

[LD1978]

I'm in a similar situation - bubs lost weight and hospital made me top up. As times gone on I've given more and more formula as never knew if she was hungry, i feel I'm drying up so want to try and bf a bit more. I don't mind giving some formula as don't think ill ebf as never happened from day 1 but would be nice to still do as much as possible. I've had her suckling all morning but worried what she's getting.

Good luck with it x

 

[holly1]

Thank you ladies I'm no due a visit from hv till next week but I think il call her tomo for some help. In the mean time I shall take your advice and spend a few days just exclusively bf an lots if skin to skin. I'm also going to look into mo tiling I have never heard of this what is it? Does it have any side affects or anything? He has been checked for lip tie and they said he hasn't got it but everytime since hospital I try to fb he has a screaming fit and pushes me away think I will give skin to skins good go and also get some nipple shields and see if this works.

Thank you so much for all your advice!! And to hear that this has happened to quite a lot of you which is also such a shame as well as it seems we are all trying so hard as well. Il keep you updated on how I get on and would love to hear how you all get on to. And more advice is still welcome

Xxx

 

[holly1]

Thank you ladies I'm no due a visit from hv till next week but I think il call her tomo for some help. In the mean time I shall take your advice and spend a few days just exclusively bf an lots if skin to skin. I'm also going to look into mo tiling I have never heard of this what is it? Does it have any side affects or anything? He has been checked for lip tie and they said he hasn't got it but everytime since hospital I try to fb he has a screaming fit and pushes me away think I will give skin to skins good go and also get some nipple shields and see if this works.

Thank you so much for all your advice!! And to hear that this has happened to quite a lot of you which is also such a shame as well as it seems we are all trying so hard as well. Il keep you updated on how I get on and would love to hear how you all get on to. And more advice is still welcome

Xxx

 

[HL28]

How you getting on? Just wanted to say good luck and if you have a breastfeeding support group they can be fab. It'll will he hardworking but iworth it. I admire anyone who does this. Thinking of you x