Totally gutted & in tears

[Sunnyb]

I put a post on in the post-natal section & loads of people have read & run (not surprised tbh as it's quite a long post).
But Holly has just woken up & I've tried to BF & there's nothing. Totally gutted. Feel like a total failure now. Even eating porridge & taking fenugreek hasn't helped. Don't know if there's anything else I can do to kick-start my supply.

Sunnyb xxx

 

[Esoames]

Hey how do you know there is nothing there? My boobs are floppy as a spaniels ears! You need lots of skin to skin, water and to relax. Ring your hv at 9 and ask for some help or find a bf group at a children's centre

Emma xxx

 

[Sunnyb]

Holly was on the breast, but not making any swallowing noises. I've previously been expressing every evening at around 10pm & getting 5oz in total after expressing from both breasts & last night only managed just under 1oz. Not sure if the added stress of packing for our house move etc. is affecting my supply too. Will I be frowned upon at a BF group for bottle/formula feeding? I wish i'd never introduced bottles now. I'm so upset.

Sunnyb xxx

 

[Esoames]

Expressing isn't a great way of seeing how much milk you have, I can't get anything! They won't look down on you at these groups, if you're really worried try a one on one session. Ultimately she needs to eat and you are fulfilling that need so don't beat yourself up.

Emma xxx

 

[ZMD]

Your not a failure Hun i would defiantly go along to a support group, they won't frown upon you at all i gave up bf when Tegan was 4.5 months and they were all really nice to me. you've given holly the best start Hun xx

 

[frankie707]

Havent seen your other post (only just logged on) but ring your hv first thing and find out if there are any bf support ladies in your local area and get in touch with one of them who can come and help you face to face. Has your latch been checked? if LO isn't properly on then she wont be stimualting the right bit of boob to get the milk and encourage it's production.

Like the others said - expressing isn't really a good way of judging how much you're making - when I was doing it some evenings I would get 4oz and others 1/2oz. My boobs never feel full but LO is still getting milk.

Loads of skin to skin, stay hydrated and although its easy to say try not to stress too much and just enjoy cuddling up with LO and keep offering boob - your body should adapt and start making more milk with more stimulation.

Hope this helps a bit you're doing great.

 

[Maria1977]

Just reiterating what the other girls have said. Defo don't go by expressing to judge as I can't get anything out, lucky if I get an oz out! But Oscar has never lost weight from BFing alone.

If baby wasn't getting anything I'm sure she would be screaming in complete hunger hun.

Get on the phone to a BFing support group, they are fantastic and they will defo help you.

xxxxxx

 

[Elfs Mummy]

when i express i can only get 4oz and thats on a good day but i know Maisie is deffinatly getting enough have lots of skin to skin and offer boob before bottle xx

 

[spice]

i've read your other post and it does sound like a very stressful situation to be in. don't give up yet hun, all the other posts have really good advice, and i can't really add anything to it i'm afraid but just wanted to let you know that your a strong woman (it takes a strong person to admit to having any problems) and that if you stay determined you can do it, you can do anything! best of luck hun x

 

[Sunnyb]

Thanks so much for your support girls, it's really appreciated x
I've looked online & found a breastfeeding cafe about 3 miles away that's open tomorrow, so I'm going to go & get some advice. Not sure how to find any other groups in Huddersfield. When I Google it I can only find breastfeeding bistro's & cafe's. Not sure how geared up to help or if it's just a social thing. But I guess it'll get me out of the house & it's a step in the right direction x

Sunnyb xxx

 

[Esoames]

Try netmums and also your local families information service xxx

 

[Geminiblue]

different times of day will be different amounts too, expressing is not a great judge as others have said but skin on skin for 24 hrs does help. Stress affects your prolactin levels which is something you dont get told by the "breast feeding groups" and if this is affected then you stop lactating...so you are not a failure my darlin and dont put yourself under any undue pressure. Believe me, I went through hell and back with it with my first get support and try to de-stress if you can xxx

 

[xxbeckyxx]

See if you can find a local 'Surestart' centre, they usually have helpers who can come out to see you at home

Also try to get as much sleep as you can - I could never get much milk if I'd lost out on sleep, so nap nap nap!!

 

[Minchin]

hey hon, hope the bf group tomorrow is helpful and you're feeling a little better. xxx All the girls advise sound spot on. hugs x

 

[Esoames]

How did it go? Xx

 

[Sunnyb]

It went really well. I was advised to start taking fenugreek & blessed thistle together for 72 hours. They checked Holly is latching on ok & she still is. My concern was after having so much expressed & formula through bottles that she wasn't feeding properly & emptying me or stimulating my milk supply. I am going to put Holly on the breast every 2 hours (even if it's just comfort sucking) & in addition express as much as possible tomorrow with plenty of skin to skin. By doing this I should start to make more milk. I have ordered a book online called "making more milk" which is apparently an informative book which explains how the breasts make milk & how to increase your supply. I have put Holly on the breast more today & although it doesn't sound like she's drinking, she must be getting some milk as she is taking less formula at each feed. Relaxation is important & drinking lots of juice & water, due to the stresses of moving etc.
So a lot of things to try & feeling hopeful. Fingers crossed my milk will come back & I can start to breastfeed more frequently & start dropping formula feeds now that Holly as got through her colicky phase.
Wish me luck!!

Sunnyb xxx

 

[frankie707]

Great, you've got such a good attitude to this, loads of people would have admitted defeat. Best of luck - hope your body rewards you with more milk very quickly. Enjoy skin to skin and snuggles today