Feeling devastated that I may have to give up

[Lulabell]

In floods at mo that I may have to give up breast feeding. He doesn't latch on at all now without so much fussing and screaming. Joshua literally claws at me in frustration, I've got scratches all over my chest. I've spoken to national breast feeding support line today as well as local breast feeding support lady yesterday. So far everything they have suggested hasn't worked. I don't know what else to do. The tongue tie release op probably won't be done for a couple of weeks. I can't go on like this for that long. And even then will it actually help? I've heard so many people say it improved but they still ended up having to go ff. I can't express as my supply as dropped and I'm virtually getting nothing out.

If anyone has any suggestions, please say cos I don't know what else to do.xx

 

[prettypenguin]

I don't have any suggestions but didn't want to rar. I hope things get better for you, and if yiu do have to go on formula then you've done really really well to get this far, so you should be proud of yourself! I haven't any suggestions I'm afraid as i ff my son x

 

[beanster]

Don't have any suggestions but just wanted to send you a hug
It's really hard but try not to beat yourself up about things. I bf Holly to start with then had to change to ff and felt awful and like I was a really bad mum but once I started thinking it through realised that it meant a happy, less stressed out baby and mummy and feeding times were much better. I don't think it took away any of the bonding moments like I thought it might and don't feel like I have missed out on anything now.

 

[Mrs N]

Please dont beat yourself up if you have to ff, I had to stop as harrison wasmt putting on weight and he is so happy now on the bottle and it hasnt bothered him!! I bf for 9 weeks and im really proud of that but I now know that he needs more than I cud give him!! If you do want to continue have you got a bf support group? They might be able to give you ideas??
xxx

 

[Lulabell]

Done all that. Lady reckons its tongue tie which can't be fixed for a coupe of weeks. Even when it does there is no guarantee that it'll fix it. Right now it's so painful for my and frustrating for him. His weight gain hasn't been brilliant over the past 6 or 7 weeks. Only gaining 11oz. But some people say its normal? I don't know what to think. Joshua appears to be a happy baby. If he was hungry then surely he would be crying all the time? Itsjust all so confusing.

 

[Mrs N]

Poor you, sounds like your at your wits end!! We ended up in hospital coz of harrisons weight gain (or lack of it) he always seemed satisfied but I guess he couldnt have been!! If he has a tongue tie would bottle feeding be any easier or would if have the same problems??
xxx

 

[Lulabell]

I've expressed and bottle fed and we have no issues at all. But I cant express to his demand because my supply has dropped. When ever I express, I only manage to get an oz each time. x

 

[Simoneh00]

Keep going with the expressing if that's the road you feel you want to go down. Your supply will get better, its just a different motion than a baby suckling. Babies are much better at getting milk from you than a breast pump. I've expressed with both my kids xx

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[pinkyprincess]

I dunno if skin to skin works with expressing? You need to talk to ISH the expressing queen.

If it doesn't work out what you need to remember is that you gave your baby the BEST start possible and that alone is commendable! Be proud!

 

[Hope81]

Sorry if was suggested before as tapatalk only let me see the original post how about nipple shields? You thing LO would latch like that?

 

[ZMD]

I was going to suggest nipple shields as he may be able to latch on to them easier? If not could you combination feed? just remember youve done so well to get this far xxx

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[l_maclean]

I was gonna say shields as well. They are the only way G can latch.

Also about the expressing can I ask when/how often you do it??

I thought my supply had dropped last week, and was pumping like crazy. The best time to do it is 3am apparently. I was attempting it after every feed if possible. (easier said than done though)

Also make sure you drink lots, and oaty foods can help increase supply.

Xxx

 

[BevG]

dont feel bad hun, i combi feed and Alyssa is happy and healthy and gaining weight well but not too fast lol. do what you need to, eat lots of oaty things, take fenugreek, express first thing in the morning or at night to up supply and most importantly dont stress, whatever happens your doing your best for your baba x

 

[jojo_2012]

I think if you can get the tongue fixed privately if you can afford it. Can't suggest anything anyone else hasn't.

 

[Rósa]

Have you tried the rugby hold with him? Caitlin is tongue tied but it doesnt affect her feeding, but I feed rugby hold style, it may work foor you, they can latch on better

 

[Nic36]

Don't feel bad - you have exclusively BF for much longer than many. You have done s o, so well to get this far. I am combo feeding and Emily is a very happy little thing... So long as your LO is healthy and happy that's the most important thing!

 

[benjis mum]

3 months is amazing, you should be very proud of yourself!

 

[Samsgirl]

I was also going to suggest nipple shields. It's only way I can feed as she couldn't latch without. Been a lifesaver tbh cxx

 

[Lulabell]

Thank you everyone. I've had a few nice stress free feeds tonight which have made me want to persevere with breast feeding. Lady at breast feeding support group has told me to up feeds during the day to every two hours instead of three and to do a dream feed at midnight. She also told me to express after each feed ten mins on each boob. I feel very lucky as my hubby has been so supportive. He is my rock. Been a bit of a mess today but I am determined to give it a blumin good try. If the tongue tie release doesn't solve it then I will have to reevaluate the whole situation. I have nothing against formula feeds. I just feel that if I can do it, then I will continue to breast feed.

Once again, thank you everyone for your kind words. Don't know what I'd do without this forum!xx

 

[Lulabell]

I'm also going to push for the tongue tie release as soon as poss.x