Researching breast milk; hope you can help!

[redpoppy]

Hi there!

I'm still expecting and only 16 weeks along but I have MANY questions about breast feeding and was hoping some of you girls can help. I REALLY want to breast feed and keep coming up with questions.

1. I've seen videos in which mums give birth and start feeding straight away, is this a very unrealistic expectation?

2. If the baby is breast feeding properly, how long can he or she survive on JUST breast milk and no other supplements, milk or food?

3. Did any or many of you want to or did give up because you got scares if or when the baby started losing weight? Is it advised to stick to breast feeding in this case or is there a point the doctor will tell you to give the baby formula milk? Is it possible that your/my breast may just not be able to express milk very well or at all?

4. This is a really odd and rare story but either my mum or her cousin (sorry, long story but I'll just get to the crux of it) were not breast fed by their own mother as the doctor (this is in the 40s!!!) told the mother that her breast milk was really bad for her child because she had some rare type of situation. My mother (or cousin) was then fed on a family members breast milk (I'm asian and that used to be common then). Has anyone heard of such a thing and what is it called?

Thanks for you replies!

 

[marley2580]

1. I've seen videos in which mums give birth and start feeding straight away, is this a very unrealistic expectation? - It's not unrealistic, it's about letting the baby feed when they're ready. For some babies this is immediate while for others it can take an hour or so, it can also depend on how traumatic the birth was.

2. If the baby is breast feeding properly, how long can he or she survive on JUST breast milk and no other supplements, milk or food? - For at least a year, probably more. But they will probably want to try solids before that.

3. Did any or many of you want to or did give up because you got scares if or when the baby started losing weight? Is it advised to stick to breast feeding in this case or is there a point the doctor will tell you to give the baby formula milk? Is it possible that your/my breast may just not be able to express milk very well or at all? - Some doctors and HVs are far to quick to suggest formula. The vast majority of women (more than 90%) are capable of feeding their children. It's about not just looking at baby's weight but at the whole baby - is baby growing, are they content after a feed, do they have plenty of wet nappies etc. Expressing is one of those things where you seem to be either great at it or rubbish. I was rubbish unless Kaya hadn't fed for ages.

4. This is a really odd and rare story but either my mum or her cousin (sorry, long story but I'll just get to the crux of it) were not breast fed by their own mother as the doctor (this is in the 40s!!!) told the mother that her breast milk was really bad for her child because she had some rare type of situation. My mother (or cousin) was then fed on a family members breast milk (I'm asian and that used to be common then). Has anyone heard of such a thing and what is it called? - Never heard of it, but I'm sure your MW could help you with it.

 

[asacia]

My LO struggled with feeding at first. At Day 3, he'd lost a lot of weight and was jaundiced. He needed food, so I started expressing. I carried on expressing for over 8 weeks until LO got the hang of breatfeeding. Expressing is hard, but possible. It is easier if done properly frpm the start, but most hospital staff aren't clued up. If breatfeeding doesn't work, make sure you speak to someone who knows about expressing.

 

[Samantha675]

My son was nursing within an hour of his birth. As soon as your LO is ready to latch, then its best to get started.

My son is now 14 months old, and is not a big solids fan. He eats very little and he is doing just fine. He went from the 25% in height to the 95% between his 9 month and 12 month check up on pretty much just breastmilk. It is amazing stuff!!!

Your baby is going to lose weight after birth, but don't stress too much about it. My son lost 10 or 11 ounces before my milk came in and I didn't worry. Once my milk came in he started to gain. As long as you get plenty of wet and dirty diapers, then they are getting enough. Just think if you go from getting 24 hour food without working for it, then feeding every couple of hours you would lose weight as well.

I have no idea about this one hun? Sorry.

 

[Mervs Mum]

1. I've seen videos in which mums give birth and start feeding straight away, is this a very unrealistic expectation?

No I fed 20mins after giving birth

2. If the baby is breast feeding properly, how long can he or she survive on JUST breast milk and no other supplements, milk or food?


6 months minimum but up to a year easily too.

3. Did any or many of you want to or did give up because you got scares if or when the baby started losing weight? Is it advised to stick to breast feeding in this case or is there a point the doctor will tell you to give the baby formula milk? Is it possible that your/my breast may just not be able to express milk very well or at all?


Weight loss at first is expected so no need to be concerned for the first few weeks. The best indicator your baby is getting enough is wet and dirty nappies. It's very rare for a woman not to be able to produce enough milk - less than 1% of women are physically unable to.

4. This is a really odd and rare story but either my mum or her cousin (sorry, long story but I'll just get to the crux of it) were not breast fed by their own mother as the doctor (this is in the 40s!!!) told the mother that her breast milk was really bad for her child because she had some rare type of situation. My mother (or cousin) was then fed on a family members breast milk (I'm asian and that used to be common then). Has anyone heard of such a thing and what is it called?

Never heard of it.

 

[scrumpy78]

Hi there!

1. I've seen videos in which mums give birth and start feeding straight away, is this a very unrealistic expectation?

i was too knackered and in shock i didnt want to feed straight away. sometimes it happens sometimes it doesnt. babies are more alert when born and it is good to get that first feed in before they sleep for like hours. i didnt feed my LO til about 6 hours later

2. If the baby is breast feeding properly, how long can he or she survive on JUST breast milk and no other supplements, milk or food?

as long as they are gaining weight, and happy you can bf for as long as you want. by about 5/6 months, they will be showing signs of needing solids but you can carry on bf along with solids

3. Did any or many of you want to or did give up because you got scares if or when the baby started losing weight?
my LO lost the full 10% and they advised feeding every 3 hours i.e waking her if asleep. it is normal for babies to drop their birth weight.

Is it advised to stick to breast feeding in this case or is there a point the doctor will tell you to give the baby formula milk?
They will advise you, do not let anyone force you into giving formula if it is not what you want. Also you can mix and match i gave the odd formula at the begfnning and expressed to keep supply up. Now she exclusive bf. At the worst you could express and give EBM in a bottle

Is it possible that your/my breast may just not be able to express milk very well or at all?
some people do struggle with expressing. try renting a hospital grade electric pump as i found the manual ones hard work and not that successful. the more you pump/feed, the more milk you will get. anywhere from 1/2oz to 5oz is normal from expressing.

4. This is a really odd and rare story but either my mum or her cousin (sorry, long story but I'll just get to the crux of it) were not breast fed by their own mother as the doctor (this is in the 40s!!!) told the mother that her breast milk was really bad for her child because she had some rare type of situation. My mother (or cousin) was then fed on a family members breast milk (I'm asian and that used to be common then). Has anyone heard of such a thing and what is it called? dont know sorry.

 

[Stephie 25]

This is a really odd and rare story but either my mum or her cousin (sorry, long story but I'll just get to the crux of it) were not breast fed by their own mother as the doctor (this is in the 40s!!!) told the mother that her breast milk was really bad for her child because she had some rare type of situation. My mother (or cousin) was then fed on a family members breast milk (I'm asian and that used to be common then). Has anyone heard of such a thing and what is it called?

i think this is called wet nursing??? a baby being fed by another mum, who hs had children. I believe it was common place years ago, amongst the rich.




sorry if it is wrong info though, i'm still ttc!

 

[caggimedicine]

1. I've seen videos in which mums give birth and start feeding straight away, is this a very unrealistic expectation?

I gave birth to Harry at about 10pm and wasn't able to get him latched on until about 10am the next day.... I tried a few times during the night. I think it just takes a bit of getting used to for both mum and baby. Some women are able to breastfeed immediately. I think I just wasn't sure what I was doing, but persevered and was glad I did

2. If the baby is breast feeding properly, how long can he or she survive on JUST breast milk and no other supplements, milk or food?

I think for up to a year (maybe more??) Not entirely sure. I think baby might want food before then though.

3. Did any or many of you want to or did give up because you got scares if or when the baby started losing weight? Is it advised to stick to breast feeding in this case or is there a point the doctor will tell you to give the baby formula milk? Is it possible that your/my breast may just not be able to express milk very well or at all?

I don't know of any cases of a baby who is breastfeeding properly losing weight BECAUSE they're breastfeeding rather than on formula. I don't think any doctor/health visitor should recommend giving up breastfeeding for no real good reason, and can't think of a real good reason for them to do that. It's quite natural for babies to lose weight in the first month.

4. This is a really odd and rare story but either my mum or her cousin (sorry, long story but I'll just get to the crux of it) were not breast fed by their own mother as the doctor (this is in the 40s!!!) told the mother that her breast milk was really bad for her child because she had some rare type of situation. My mother (or cousin) was then fed on a family members breast milk (I'm asian and that used to be common then). Has anyone heard of such a thing and what is it called?

I've heard of this. I think it's called "wet nursing".

 

[jms895]

I fed Caine about 20 mins after he was born and he was routing on my chest when they put him on

I think you can feed for years but they will need more substantial food / solids / iron etc after a year I think.

BF babies may lose a little at first then gain, but some BF babies are bigger than some FF babies

x

 

[redpoppy]

Thanks all for your replies!!!!
As for the wet nursing thing, I was actually asking about what was wrong with the mother so that her milk was not good for her baby, not what it was when another mum gave a baby milk. Thanks though!

 

[hypnorm]

Ewan took a couple of days to latch properly and RObyn was latched within 20 mins!

both were breast fed totally for 4 months and then i introduced solids.

Can't help with anything else really both mine lost weight, i have never been to the health visitor with Robyn as i cant stand her and i know she is putting on weight!

 

[asacia]

From what I've read, it is very rare for a medical condition to mean a woman shouldn't breastfeed. There are few medications that aren't suitable for breastfeeding, and there is almost always a suitable alternative. Perhaps the Doctor was misinformed? This is sadly often the case.

The only conditions I've heard where breastfeeding might not be advisable are HIV and Hep C.