wont be able to breastfeed well :(

[winegums]

so i'm 19 weeks pregnant with my second baby.

and i've just found out why i *think* i had such a hard time breastfeeding last time.

my boobs are basically deformed. i have tubular breasts. i never thought this would be a problem with breastfeeding as my midwives never said anything, health visitor never said anything. i even had a breastfeeding consultant round and spoke to LLL and not one person mentioned this might be a problem.

this is a thread i wrote on here before about my issues breastfeeding
https://www.babyandbump.com/breastfeeding/380302-worried-breastfeeding.html

i was sooooooo looking forward to being successful this time around. i was going to do it. i wasnt going to use bloody formula again.

and now i've just been crying all morning because i know im going to have the same problems.

apparently because all the insides are underdeveloped it includes the milk bits so i'll probably never get that much milk out of them.

i've been looking for what to do and it said express as well as breastfeed which i was doing and i swear i nearly died with exhaustion i was expressing every hour or so at one point.

i can also ask my doctors for drugs to increase milk which i guess i might do but will these drugs be going to my baby?

i tried all the natural things last time round like fenugreek etc and nothing increased my supply

i had to give up as my baby was loosing too much weight

i know there is a chance i'll be able to do it, but i know how hard it will be and i remember how depressed i got last time. but i suppose that was also because i didn't know what was wrong with me that other people could breastfeed and for me it just doesn't happen.

i'm really sorry for this crappy negetive post and my rambling

 

[becstar]

You sound so down. I'm sorry you feel so low.

I found these links to read: https://www.babycenter.com/0_breastfeeding-and-underdeveloped-hypoplastic-breasts_8692.bc

https://en.allexperts.com/q/Breastfeeding-1764/2009/7/Tubular-Breast-Breastfeeding.htm

https://www.breastfeeding-problems.com/tubular-hypoplastic-breasts.html
You might not be able to fully breastfeed, but you might. And even if not, then any breastmilk is better than none, so whatever you try can be a good thing. Supplemental nursing systems, bfing before giving formula, etc...

You are not doing anything wrong, you clearly love your LO and your unborn LO too, to care this much. Even if you end up fully formula feeding you are still feeding, loving and nurturing your child, not locking it in a cupboard or starving it!!!

Speak to your gP and midwives and get as much info as you can.

I wish you all the best. x

 

[becstar]

PS I found this on one site which was encouraging:

Women with tubular breasts have been found to produce more milk with their second or third pregnancies because of the hormones produced with each that increase growth of milk glands.

 

[becstar]

PPS Next time you can also try expressing from one boob while feeding from the other to help with letdown and to save time afterwards!

 

[bky]

Hey. Check out some of the links in my signature. You might want to join MOBI. I've found them helpful. https://www.mobimotherhood.org/MM/portal-WhereToGetHelp.aspx
In addition there is something called Goat's Rue you can take from 8 months+ of pregnancy that encourages the growth of glandular tissue. MOBI will have additional advice for combating this. I've looked into some of it as I suspect I may have this issue as well. I'm going to try and see an IBCLC (just have to get up the courage) to see if I'll have further problems, you might try contacting one now as well?
If you can get a Dr. on board with helping you you can also take Metformin from late pregnancy (same potential effect as Goat's Rue).

 

[MandaAnda]

You have some really encouraging advice here (and I've learned something from these ladies' posts as well)! I really hope there's a solution in there for you. I just wanted to add that drugs your doctor could prescribe to help increase lactation (i.e. Domperidone or Maxalon usually) would be fine - they are prescribed to mums with babies on the NICU all the time.

 

[winegums]

thanks guys that's so helpful! sorry for sounding so crappy earlier i just felt so down. i have changed the title as i do NOT regret this baby and it was horrible for me to say, just the thought of going through the same thing again i was feeling like utter sh*t basically.

the advice is really helpful and i want to start doing anything possible i can at the moment to prepare myself.

i know formula isn't evil but it broke my heart every time my son had it - i know it sounds stupid but i always took it for granted i'd breastfeed my babies

thank you again girls xx

 

[LogansMama]

I think all the ladies already gave you some great advice - so I just want to wish you luck. I think that if you go into this knowing it will be a challenge, maybe your outcome will be better. Also - like others have said - any breastmilk is better than none, so just do what you can do!

I will advise you to get with a Lac Consultant though. If you know what the problem is this time, maybe they can help you through it!! Good Luck!!

 

[ErinA]

I attempted to breastfeed my 2nd child, and had so many issues that I ended up switching to formula early on. I never knew why I had such a hard time breastfeeding, but was determined to make it work with my 3rd child who was born a week ago. I did everything I could think of to increase my milk supply and I educated myself on breastfeeding, but found myself in the same boat. I was just diagnosed with hypoplastic breast, (tubular breasts) and told that I only produced 3-5 oz of milk/day. I was/am crushed by this news, and know exactly how you feel. Just know that its not your fault and youre not alone in this.