Looking for some advice

[Ashley1021]

Ds was born three days ago. I stated off breast feeding but his latch was so poor and he struggled so bad to get on the breast. I had to give him some formula in the hospital and I felt fed up so I didn't even pump when we got home and was just going to stick to formula.

Oh and I agreed I should give pumping a proper try at least but I waited so long inbeteeen his last feed and pumping. I pumped an oz from each side, I just pumped again and got 1/2 an ounce from each side. Is my true milk ever going to come in, or am I wasting time at this point?

Thanks for any advice you have!

 

[noon_child]

Getting even half an ounce from each side is fab at this point! A three day old only takes about an half an ounce per feed on average when breastfeeding.

True milk comes in (whether you feed, pump or do neither) between days two and seven but most people it is days 3-5. It is controlled by hormones released when your placenta detached from the womb, so it will happen. Pumping and feeding is hard work as you (as mum) kind of have the disadvantages of both worlds, although baby is obviously getting a lot of advantages. Did you get any help in hospital regarding helping LO to latch? Or did they just push him on and shrug when he fell off again?

Depending where you are in the world there are organisations that can help for free and in your own home if you need it. La Leche League is one. In the meantime remember to enjoy your baby and stay close to him, as relaxing and having time skin to skin is really the best way to maintain milk supply and tap in to his latching instincts.

 

[Ashley1021]

We asked to see the lactation consultant in the hospital numerous times but she was too busy apparently. We had a home visit today from a nurse, and she was a sweetheart! I explained to her my situation and she brought up a nipple shield and gave me one and helped me with him latching with the shield.

It was pain free and he nursed for a while! Im going to keep pumping to hopefully build my supply but continue to offer the breast. He wasn't satisfied after emptying both breast so had to supplement

 

[aidensxmomma]

My LO couldn't properly latch when he was born - he had a pretty severe tongue tie. So for the first 2weeks of his life, he was getting bottles of pumped breastmilk. He got his tongue tie fixed but after a week, breastfeeding was a struggle and we switched to formula. I quit breastfeeding and pumping completely for a full week before deciding to go back due to major issues with the formula. It took some work, but we were able to reestablish breastfeeding and I'm fairly certain my supply is keeping up with his needs ( he does get an occasional bottle).

My point to all this is that three days isn't that long. If you really want to give breastfeeding a go, you shouldn't have any problems reestablishing your supply (although I'm not an expert). When we decided to start breastfeeding again, I would always have him nurse from both sides first, then supplement with formula if needed. Eventually he got less and less formula.

I'm glad that you got help from a lactation consultant.

 

[Ashley1021]

He's still having issues latching, he's apparently what they call a biter. I still pump and I'm slowly building up my stock of breast milk, he's about 80% breast milk 20% formula.

 

[noon_child]

He's still having issues latching, he's apparently what they call a biter. I still pump and I'm slowly building up my stock of breast milk, he's about 80% breast milk 20% formula.

You're doing brilliantly, well done.

I'm not sure classifying your baby as a biter is helping you though. I mean baby's have one method of extracting milk from boobs - that is by creating a wavelike motion with the middle and back of their tongue to compress the breast tissue. However babies DO clamp down on the breast for a few reasons:
1) Milk supply is too abundant or too fast in letting down (sometimes a result of pumping) and baby clamps to slow the flow of milk so as not to get overwhelmed. Reclined feeding positions help with this (laid back breastfeeding or biological nurturing)
2) Baby cannot move the middle and back of their tongue enough so try to squeeze the breast with their gums instead (likely to happen in cases of a restrictive tongue tie). The above feeding position can help a bit, because it promotes deep latching, but really a tongue tie that is causing feeding issues needs releasing ASAP.
3) Baby is trying to stimulate let down by "tugging" on the breast (you'll see this in animals when they first latch, there's lots of bashing around and tugging, but when letdown occurs all goes calm and rhythmic. Massaging and doing breast compressions can help during this, although it is very normal.

 

[caz_hills]

Hi,

I am pumping and have been for five weeks now. It sounds like you're getting a good amount out already! I was similar to you and now typically get 2 Oz out per pump. My supply has never managed to keep up with her demand though and I've heard that pumping is not as effective as breast feeding to build supply.

If you google power pumping it has a method to build supply.they also recommend loads of
skin to skin, drinking nettle tea and eat loads of oats.

I tried desperately to get my daughter to latch without success hence manic pumping! My advice would be to do loads of skin to skin and get support ASAP from a good kavtation specialist. I wish I had done both much earlier.

Pod luck x