Help!!

[holly1]

I have been bf altough lo was admitted to hosipital and had to express my milk so they could see how much he was drinking I was expressing around 20-30ml and having to top this up with formula as he has to have 60ml every 3 hours. He is now 1 week old. Now were back home the nurses have said that I can go back to breast feeding but must offer formula milk after and to let him take what ever extra he needs.

My last day at hospital he started bf and did so once yesterday but now he doesn't seem to want bf I have tried expressing when he doesn't take breast as I want him to at least have some breast milk. Yesterday day I was expressing 10-20 ml but today my breasts feel full but nothing is coming out

Has anyone else had this? Or have any tips? I'm willing to try anything as I really want him to bf.

 

[Mummy_midwife]

Hi Hun, what a stressful time you must be having. I don't know the clinical details or why they advised you in a certain way. So cannot really comment on your specific case as I don't have the full picture. However, what I can say is that you should have either a midwife, or community breastfeeding clinic, advisor etc that could help you to return to exclusive bf if baby is well enough for that ( which sounds like he/she is). Get them to support you and you will get there.

Do do skin to skin for as long as you can so baby can feel you and smell your milk, that will help with your milk supply.

Breatsmilk is produced on demand , so the more you feed the more you will produce and the opposite is also true so keep trying to feed. Try relaxing next time you express ( if you need to or baby not keen to attach) put on some relaxing music, dimm the lights, think of baby and have lo close to you so you can see and smell him/her, ideally do a lot of skin to skin contact all as you express and your milk should flow better- stress can really interfere with expressing.

As you are keen to bf I would really recommend you get support ASAP from a trained bf supporter.

Hope all works as YOU want them to ( either bf, af or mixed feeding) and let us know how you get on.
Much love xx

 

[holly1]

Thank you so much for your help. The midwife called today and offered bf support and is coming round tomo I have tried skin to skin contact and tried feeding him a little before he was due a feed and he latched on!! I'm do happy going to get more skin to skin as you have adviced and see how it goes. I think stress played a factor didn't really put two and two together but I think you hit the nail on the head and I think my confidence got a little battering due to not fb for a few days.

With regards to expressing I was such a donut and didn't set up the macine properly my oh spotted it eekk I'm so relieved as I thought I maybe drying up! But now I'm expressing more each time just incase lo doesn't latch.

Really appreciated your advice I'm certainly going to try it all out as I'm eager to continue to bf . I shall of course let you no how I get on.

Thanks xxx

 

[Mummy_midwife]

I know all too well how much your confidence can be damaged by the circumstances around you, specially if baby has been unwell, I have been there when I had my 1st. It sounds like you are a great mum, who is doing her best to look after her lo, so don't let anything get you down. It also sounds like you are determined to bf so it's likely that with the right support you will go back to exclusive bf... The secret is to keep feeding and if formula is still needed then keep expressing to keep your supply up- but above all try not to stress (your 'let down reflex' really works better when you are relaxed ) listen to your midwife tomorrow and I am sure he/she will give you the right advice specific to you and your baby based on your circumstances. Hope all goes well Lots of love xx