Desperate to breastfeed

[Kate1985]

Hi all, I posted in the parent section but then found this bit so thought I'd post here too. As my lo was premature by 8 weeks he's struggling to latch on and feed. I'm currently expressing but it's really getting me diwn because I'm only expressing 70ml every time I do it for half hour! That kills me. Lo is currently drinking 70ml every feed so u can't get ahead if myself and he us now draining a 70ml bottle so I'm thinking he will want more soon. I'm so worried I won't keep up. Hw can I increase supply? I'm drinking lots having skin to skin etc. everyone else seems to be lots of milk I really wish he would latch on xxxx I try every day xxxxx

 

[l_maclean]

Have you nipple shields. My LO couldn't latch without them for 4months. Has LO been checked for tongue or lip ties. Xxx


On my iPhone - so cant see tickers

 

[Bev999]

I am using nip shields as lo was finding it hard to latch on to me, she latched straight away on the shields and they are helping to draw my nips out!!! Keep going hun, you are doing so well. Xxx

 

[Kate1985]

His tongue tie has been cut but his mouth is too tiny n he is currently too sleepy and not strong enough to latch on. I asked health visitor about nipple shields and she said its hard for lo to then feed without them after using them. Is. This true?xx

 

[cosmicgirl]

Not necessarily. Some babies don't have a problem once shields are removed.
Have you tried some tips to increase your supply? Massage, warm flannels, fenugreek and eating oats all help.
I'd keep trying lo at the breast too.
I think expressing is soooo much harder than bf, hats off to you xx

 

[Karate Kid]

His tongue may have ceased up again so I would get it checked out.

Some MWs are anti shields because they used to interfere. They a brilliant now though, we used them for two weeks after C's tie was snipped. We used the Madela sheilds.

One of the ladies from my NCT group has used them from the start with no issues.

I know how tough expressing can be but you are doing a brilliant job. X

 

[babymother]

Ask your midwife/HV if you can get a nursing supplementer. It's a little tube that goes in LOs mouth and the ebm is in a bottle, while baby is at the breast suckling the milk comes through the tube so they get milk too, from yr breast and supplementer. It may help.

 

[mablestarr]

My advice for you would be to try nipple shields and persevere. I was able to bf my little premmie from 34 weeks using them. I started off every other feed during the day so that I knew how much he was getting half the time and that he wasn't tiring too much. Then as we got the hang of it I'd do bf using shields more often.
Try not to put too much pressure on yourself though as it will be hard for lo to latch on if youre getting stressed out. But I know how tiring expressing and feeding can be particularly if lo is drinking it all. Sorry no advice on how to increase the volume of milk. Are you using an electric pump?
xx

 

[Kate1985]

Thanks everyone. Yes I'm using an electric pump but only getting enough for a feed and I'm pretty sure he's going to increase the volume soon as he's draining the bottle. I've just brought fenugreek as I've heard that's good for increasing supply so fingers crossed xxx

 

[Karate Kid]

I would head to bed, do loads of skin to skin. If you feel comfortable using shields I couldn't recommend them more far easier than expressing. Good luck xx

 

[BevG]

fenugreek, oats, skin to skin, try not to stress, drink plenty of water and domperidone all help to increase supply