back to BF - any tips?

[bambino]

following a thread on relactating I decided to have a word with my health visitor about putting LO to the breast again . I gave him 5 feeds in hospital but got freaked out by another baby demand feeding and screaming for hours as her mum had no milk fir her Lo's demands... anyway, i got scared and asked for a bottle. I didn't know it was possible to put LO to the breast again but was advised that it will not upset him. I have decided to try some BFs during the evening and see how it goes. I still have some milk after 3 weeks of not BFing. I don't feel comfortable BFing infront of people so will not do it exclusively, but if I can give him some breast milk every now and again I will be happy. I tried last night and he took to my breast and sucked for 40 mins.... How do you know if he actually got anything as he took a bottle afterwards too. Tried again this morning and he was on for 20 mins but again took a bottle after... any advise... does anyone else give a bit of both??

 

[Mervs Mum]

I've read that you should put them on and have a bottle ready at first. Let them drain the breast (or both I guess if you want to get the supply going) and the finish with the bottle. They will take less of the bottle as time goes by and your milk comes back.

People get really hung up on how much BF banies are getting - I appreciate your situation is different - but so long as they are feeding regularly and gaining weight you dont need to know an exact amount.

Good luck - it'll be tough (as BFing is at the start) but if you're commited you'll do in no probs! x

 

[Samantha675]

You should be able to hear him swallowing. Once my milk lets down Bren is gulping, and I know that when he stops actively swallowing, then it has slowed.

 

[Lucy&Pard]

I can hear my little man swallowing but if there isnt loads there he might give say 3 sucks and then swallow? Well done by the way

 

[bambino]

well after a week of trying to get LO back on the breast I am feeling some what disheartened. I have lots of milk in there which i was surprised at. After a good start with LO latching on straight away and feeding, I have only managed to get him to feed from me 3 times in a week. I have given him loads of skin to skin to encourage it but he seems to have lost interest in it now. I have tried every evening ( as i got advised that this is the best time to try). When this has failed i have tried in the afternoon to have loads of skin to skin but he seems to get too frustrated at not being able to latch on to persist in trying. It ends with him crying and me feeling guilty for leaving it so long to get started again. Im going to try another week of it and then if there is no change then i will have to accept that he is exclusively formula fed. I was only planning on giving evening breast feeds but this is not going as id hoped.

 

[XKatX]

Well done you for trying! Do you have a lactation consultant locally who could help? Contact your health visitor, she should be able to point you in the right direction.
And good luck!!!

 

[Mervs Mum]

I think if you give it another week or so you'll see some results. If it takes 6 wks to establish BFing from birth then it's gonna take some time to do it at this point.

 

[Samantha675]

He may be getting frustrated a the slower flow rate of your nipple versus a bottle, and that he has to work for it. Just try to be patient.

 

[Miss Duke]

Well done for giving it a go!!

I did this also, and 9 weeks later ds is feeding well. I pump imbetween to try and increase my supply.

Good luck, and don't beat yourself up if it doesn't work out xxx