Sounds like going with the flow is working well for you Good on you! Yes, your Ob can prescribe Motilium. Be prepared though (and this is not a downer on Obs, I have one and love him to bits ), he may not be keen, and talk to you about how you've given it your best shot, it didn't work out blahdy blah blah, why resort to medication now etc etc. Of course, he may not, I don't know your Ob , but many are misinformed about breastfeeding, and don't prioritise it. My Ob gave me a script initially, no dramas, probably because I had a prem. But he was reluctant to give me a repeat, although he did in the end. I now buy it from a website that doesn't require a prescription, it's cheaper that way too.
Good luck! As a PP has said, unfortunately breastfeeding is presented as an 'all or nothing' deal, which is definitely not the case. Yeah, exclusive breastfeeding is known to be best for baby, but for those who cannot achieve that (myself included) doing both is definitely workable. Feel free to ask any questions that spring to mind.
Thanks so much ladies - particularly for the reassurance re AF. I don't want to get you all too excited - I don't think she's getting anything out but seeing as our problem was always attachment and now that seems to be working, I'm much more encouraged that if I can get any sort of supply that we can give it a decent shot. Without being able to attach, that was obviously impossible.
I'm also hesitant to see a LC again as the try every x hours, express, do this, do that in an effort to get fast results just doesn't work for me, it ends up with me stressed out and feeling like a failure if something doesn't work. My LC was lovely but it's hard to tell someone that y'know, I don't want to do that because it sounds like I'm being lazy which I'm not, it just doesn't work for me.
That's totally understandable Fiona, and it sounds as though you are well informed about how to go about this. You can always continue going the way you are, but if you feel you need extra help, you know where your LC is.
I'm excited because I know this is something you wanted to do, breastfeed your baby. Just out of interest, how long is she sucking for when she attaches? I totally get that expressing/feeding lots isn't going to work for you right now, but another thing that will help is skin to skin cuddles. Heck, lots of any sort of cuddles will help! It gets that oxytocin flowing, which is so important in breastfeeding. Motilium helps increase prolactin levels, the other important hormone, so between the two you're starting off well I don't know if it's possible for you with your pelvis, but baby wearing is a good way of helping to increase supply, as is cosleeping.
The other thing I forgot to mention is that since I got AF I now can't get any drops out when I hand express but if motilium can get any sort of supply going then I'm optimistic that we're in with a chance as my supply was always fantastic, it's just that we couldn't attach eg. I was getting 100ml+ in the first couple of weeks even without DD really breastfeeding very much, that was just with expressing.
Janie - thank you She attaches for probably around 10 mins, sometimes more, sometimes less. However, I have also been using a dummy in the last 10 days or so which is not brilliant but was the only way I could settle her at the time (she was waking every 40 mins and rocking, patting etc. didn't work for her and she was miserable). So she may be seeing the nipple as a dummy substitute but the fact that she goes on at all and really easily is cause for much optimism for me. To put it in perspective, in the first three weeks our attachment success rate was around 10%, since I've had a try in the last week, our attachment success rate has been 100%. We cosleep so that's good but I'll try to up the cuddles during the day. It's been hard to do skin to skin during the day as it seriously has been freezing here. But we've got a new heater going in this week and the weather is getting warmer anyway. Maybe all the planets are getting into alignment
A dummy is really a substitute nipple - so to be honest she's using your boobs for one of their intended functions, even if she's not getting much out! The more you are her dummy the better - as long as you don't get too sore.
Firstly don't worry about not being able to get anything out when AF is around it does mess with your milk but it always comes back - just keep doing what you are doing - it is exactly the right thing to do! I think a GP can presrcribe the supply stuff plus there are natural alternatives to boost supply - I saw a receipe around a little while ago that had a supply boosting cookie!
As far as the LC is concerned - if your not comfortable with them then don't worry - what about the ABA if you feel you need to talk things through - they are very relaxed and supportive of BF under any circumstances and like you would be so excited that you have gone back to it after a 5 wks - I think that is GREAT! They used to have a leaflet called relactating.
As everyone else has said keep putting her on all the time, before every feed if you can and your supply will be up really soon. It is so much easier once they are a little bigger and their mouth is bigger and can geet a better latch - with both my bubs we have done a combo of nipple sheilds and ebm until they were about 3 mths and could latch properly!
I am just so excited for you - hope things continue to go well
BTW - these are some tips for boosting supply from the ABA book
- try stroking the breast towards the nipple on all sides as your baby feeds
- change sides often (once your supply is up spend more time on each breast to increase hind milk)
- offer snack feeds whenever baby is awake
- offer the breast as a comforter instead of a dummy - just like you are :-)
- go with the flow - if baby is hungrieer and wants to feed more often go with it
- rest when you can and eat well
- drink LOTS of water
- use of a supply line - where you put the container around your neck - the ABA have these for hire sometimes and aren't as fussy as they sound - we used one for a few weeks.
BTW - it also says a better way of measuring how much bub is getting rather than weight is; good skin tone, alert, plenty of wet nappies and wet creamy yellow poos (I know nice)
Can't wait to hear how your story goes!!! keep up the great work
Remember to try to relax when expressing, treating it as TV time is a great idea. The more you relax, the easier the milk will flow. I'm sure you know, but also remember that your DD will do a much better job of getting to all that yummy milk than a pump. Don't be disheartened by how little you pump either (although you don't sound disheartened at all, and good on you for that!) as it's not a true indication of how much milk you have.
You have done such an amazing job. You're an inspiration
PS: one of my best friends had lots of success with a supply line too. I wish I'd thought to mention that earier! Glad one of the girls in here is on the ball!
Thanks for asking guys. Good news - I have milk, but not much. Struggle to get more than a few mls out. Can't get anything out with electric pump, only with my manual pump. Still putting DD on whenever I can and pumping whenever I can (hence why I haven't updated in a while). But DD is not feeding while she's on, there's no swallowing because there's not enough there for her so I'm using her more as a nipple stimulator.
Have supply line but haven't had chance to use it yet. Every day just seems so hectic between pumping, feeding, attaching, settling (DD wakes up every 40 mins) and looking after my toddler. So it's full on BUT when you get to first base (ie. DD will actually go on) it just seems so much more do-able than the first few weeks where I could not get her to go on at all.
But, I am at the stage where if I'm not pumping or attaching then I feel guilty. DP has the weekend off and I know if we go and do family stuff, I'll feel guilty which is crazy. So the desire to BF again needs to be balanced with other factors. Will see where we're at in another week.
CAn you get anything out with hand-squirting? I ask because that can be done in a couple of minutes in the loo, and might give you a reasonable compromise when out and about...
I'm so pleased to hear you're still going! It's not so much the quantity, as any bm you're giving DD is great. I really admire your persistence and good for you giving the supply line a go. And you sound so relaxed about it all.
Good on you! Yes, your Ob can prescribe Motilium. Be prepared though (and this is not a downer on Obs, I have one and love him to bits
), he may not be keen, and talk to you about how you've given it your best shot, it didn't work out blahdy blah blah, why resort to medication now etc etc. Of course, he may not, I don't know your Ob
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What an awesome effort!!!!
Glad one of the girls in here is on the ball!
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