Is it possible to start breastfeeding again?

[Em_325]

DS is 6 weeks old. I breastfed him exclusively for 8 days then he was put on formula. This was due to a few reasons - I had flat nipples and DS couldn't latch properly and I had a long wait to see a LC and I developed bad postnatal anxiety for which I have spent the last 10 days in a mother and baby unit receiving treatment for. The night DS was born a midwife told me I was starving him and he needed formula which planted the seed and I developed major anxiety that he wasn't getting enough milk so with formula I could see how much he was having and mentally I needed other people to be able to share the care of him as I wasn't coping.
Now that I am feeling better I have been thinking about trying to breastfeed again as I still have milk. I'm not sure if there is a lot there but its not totally gone yet. Given the time that has elapsed though have I totally missed the boat to establish supply or is it still possible? I'm in two minds as I don't want to stress myself out trying to establish a supply if it is a lost cause but I want to do the best I can for DS

[Dansta]

Its not too late. Get in contact with an LC . They will have ways of helping (nipple sheilds, feed lines) and how to do it

[milly5]

you could also try BF him first before a formula feed, and also allowing him to just suckle as suckling also helps stimulate supply. Good Luck!!

[Teeki]

If you still have milk, you can see how he goes. If he latches and has a feed that's fantastic! How much you produce is driven by demand - the more he demands the more you make. Because you haven't breastfed him for a while I wouldn't expect to be able to go back to every full feed being a breastfeed, but the more you put him on there the more milk you'll make and you should be able to gradually reduce the amount of formula.

I would get in touch with the LC again and as milly says, offer the breast first for every feed, then go to formula after. If he's stretching out the time between feeds I'd probably also pump a bit between feeds to get your breasts realising there's an increased demand.

Good luck!

[Eenee]

Yes, use an SNS when you are feeding until your supply builds up. Basically a SNS is a little tube that goes to the end of your nipple and other end into formula/EBM and that way Bub can suckle at breast and get both. The stimulation will then help build supply up until you have enough.

[e_p]

The ABA have information on their website about relactation. Best wishes to you x