feeling like a failure

[mac1979]

My little guy was born 2 days ago at 37+4. I had GD and pregnancy induced hypertension and I was induced. I have been trying to breastfeed and haven't been able to produce anything. We just made the choice to give him some formula to bring up his blood sugar and flush out his jaundice since he has been in the NICU since birth because of some breathing issues. I guess I am just looking for an encouraging story so I can stop feeling like a failure at being a good mama who can't breastfeed her own baby.

 

[lynn1216]

Im sorry I dont have any kids but all the moms I know that wanted to breastfeed werent able to and had to use formula. So hun dont bring yourself down!! it happens all the time to wonderful mothers !!
maybe you can use a breast pump and bottle your milk so your LO can get the nutrition! good luck hun!

 

[missk1989]

A couple days of formula doesn't mean the end of breastfeeding. As long as you keep stimulating the breast to produce milk and get some help where its offered you should be fine. Talk to midwives as you can get something to take that helps supply.

 

[New Mrs W]

You are still in very early days. Just because bf isn't successful right now doesn't mean it won't be soon. Is there a lactation consultant at the hospital? If so ask to see her. Make it clear that you want t bf and that you want all the support they can offer you to be successful. I can't imagine that they would refuse.
Bf is very hard for mothers who are able to take their babies straight home so it will be even harder for you. You are not a failure. You are just facing some difficulties but it is more than possible to overcome them. Good luck, keep us updated xx

 

[mac1979]

I am camped out in the NICU for now. A nurse did bring in a hospital grade pump and a plan of action. When he feeds I am going to try and bf for 15-20 minutes then give formula and then pump to keep stimulating production. Last few days have been an emotional roller coaster for me.

 

[TheNewMrs]

Oh honey! Sounds like you've had a hard road already. Please give yourself a break. Formula is better than your child starving. And you didn't feed it by choice, you had to-or he would be very sick. You've done the right thing.

-Please ask them to cup or syringe feed your baby rather than bottles. You want your baby to be able to Latch and not prefer a bottle to breast. If he doesn't have a bottle he won't know what it is.

-Day 2 you would only be producing calorific colostrum which can be hard to express. That doesn't mean there is none there! You are making milk, its just thick, creamy first milk that a lot of mums struggle to express.

-Please pump, pump, pump- every 3 hours in the day and every 2 hours at night if you can manage it.

-you are doing great!!

 

[BunnyN]

My mum was sedated in labour due to PE and didn't wake up for 24hrs after the birth so my brother was fed formula. Then she was very drowsy for 3 days. Hospital policy in those days was to only allow feeding every 4hrs. She was in hospital almost 2 weeks. It was a very bad start but she still managed to BF my brother. So having a bad start can make it harder but it doesnt have to be the end of Bfing. As others have said if it's still what you want make it clear and get support. You have been through a hard time and are doing great!

 

[mac1979]

I just pumped 15 mLs ladies...so happy!!!!!

 

[Kellen]

You are not a failure. I was in a similar position when my LO was born in February. She did latch right away after birth, but decided that eating and breathing at the same time was too difficult. She was in the NICU for 6 days with jaundice, a secondary infection and low sugars. The doctor allowed us to try one more feed to see if her levels would rise or else they were going to supplement with formula. Thankfully they did rise, but it was difficult. Congrats on the 15ml and keep up the good work! It is more important for baby to get well than to EBF from day one. Hopefully your hospital has awesome LC like mine did and they will support you.

 

[Dk1234]

Once your milk comes in it will get so much easier!!! Hang in there.

 

[girlinyork]

This happened to me. Jaundice, tongue tie and no milk. I just kept doing what you are doing and eventually Elodie had an epiphany and now she is thriving. She was supplemented too and I hated that at the time

 

[babyface15]

woo way to go!! see your milk will come in if you preserve. it's still so early. things will get so much easier some day and you'll look back at this time and be happy you tried your best. good luck and best wishes!

 

[lily28]

I just pumped 15 mLs ladies...so happy!!!!!

This is perfect hun! I couldn't pump more than 10 ml the week after the baby was here and I had my milk coming normally!
Keep pumping every 2-3 hours to keep the nipples stimulated. The stimulation you do today will cause milk to come in a few days, so don't stop even if nothing comes out.
And a bottle of formula sometimes can save the breastfeeding, especially if your LO is in ICU, so don't feel bad!

Hugs!

 

[AC1987]

Once your milk comes in, you'll know! bahah mine was POURING outta me it was insane I felt closely related to a cow at the time.

And remember feeding baby is important, it doesn't matter how its done