Is it too late to start?

[Pink+blue]

My daughter was born 4 weeks ago & I breastfed her for her first fed and after that i started to formula feed her. shes had alot of problems & we have had to switch her formula a few times & although she has settled a bit, shes still having a bit of problems. I am wondering if it is too late to breastfeed? (I am still lactating) I am also a little confused on things like; how often a b/f bub needs to be fed, how do u know when they have had enough? etc. any help would be much appreciated.

Thanks

[Celsie]

If you've still got milk, then I don't think it's too late. With DS I would demand feed him. Generally, he'd feed every 3 to 4 hours in those first few weeks. Good luck!!!

Also, maybe make an appointment with a lactation consultant or a midwife, so they can make sure your technique is correct, otherwise you may have problems, such as poor attachment which can give you cracked nipples. Ouch!

[MantaRay]

It is definitely possible, but the earlier you start the easier it will be. Start by putting her to the breast and seeing if she can attach. The more often you feed the better, especially while your supply is building up. Most bf babies need 8 -12 feeds in 24 hours, but you might need to feed more often or express in between if your supply has dropped off. I recommend that you see a Lactation Consultant or give the ABA 24 hour help line a call. They will be able to give you really advice.

Once you have bfing established it will be easy to know when she's full as she'll stop drinking. It might be a bit harder in the beginning while she is learning to attach, but she should let you know if she's still hungry. A LC or ABA counsellor will be able to help you with that too.

GL.

[QueenMab]

I second what the others have said, especially about either seeing a Lactation Consultant or getting some IRL support/advice as it will help you enormously & reassure you that you are doing everything "right". I had huge trouble getting my DD to attach in hospital but we got there in the end (ironically when everyone that was 'helping' me left me alone lol) so I'd like to encourage you not to be put off it it isn't as easy as you hoped to start with.

Good luck, I sincerely hope that bf works out for you, let us know how you go?

[fionas]

Hi there

As the others have said, if you're still producing milk, I don't think it's too late. Plus, you can get medication to increase your supply.

The other issue is whether she will still attach after four weeks. It will probably take a bit of practice for her ... but that too is not impossible. I had BF dramas but put DD to the boob after seven weeks on the bottle, not to try to start feeding again but just for closure. Anyhow, she wasn't totally against the idea and actually went on much easier than she did in the first few days after her birth!

I think give it a go but don't expect her to take to it immediately. Go to bed with her for a day so that you can feed as often as she wants. Feeding regularly will build your supply and she'll get the idea that it's boob not bottle now.

But as MR said, it would DEFINITELY be worth you seeing a lactation consultant. It won't be plain sailing getting her on the boob again but a lactation consultant should be able to make that journey much easier for you.

[Olive]

go for it!!!

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I forgot to add, she did really well attatching etc after she was born, i just regret not continuing.

[Lolli]

I second AJP- go for it!! Get an LC and try the ABA website- they have some excellent articles on there.

[Pink+blue]

Ok, so how often do will i need to feed bub? how do i know when she has had enough(or how long do i feed her for)? how will i know when she has had enough/not enough/too much?

[fionas]

Well, I'm sure Barb will come in here with more info but ...

the first few days will be quite intense I imagine. Just remember that she's been used to a bottle and drinking from a bottle is easy.

Going back to a boob and a boob that may not have as much milk (at first) as a bottle is not easy. So I REALLY advise you to go to bed with her and let her feed as often as she wants to. When I was trying to get DD off a bottle and onto the boob on Day 7, she started off feeding every five minutes and would only stay on for 30 seconds each time. Then gradually, over the course of a morning, settled down and she would stay on for longer and space out for longer.

I'm not saying it will be the same for you but certainly don't expect her to stay on immediately for 30 minutes and to be in a 3 hour feeding pattern straight away!

Remember, the more she feeds the more milk you will have. And the more milk you have, the more she will get and the less she will have to feed.

Don't worry about 'how often' for the first day or two, possibly longer.

But really for all the ins and outs, ring the ABA or a lactation consultant. It's not impossible but it won't be plain sailing either.

[aussienic]

Usually baby will just fall off.. well not literally but they know when they have had enough

good luck

[Lolli]

Hi again, the first couple of days at least, feed as often as possible to increase your supply (tak to an LC about this). But after that, feeding on demand might be best? Just feed her when she's hungry! You will get to know her hungry signs and be able to get her on before she's screaming for food (this could take a while too, but generally you get a better bf if they're not hysterical). And bubs will, as Nic said, just 'fall off'- often fall asleep at your breast (which is quite cute) or just stop sucking.

[Barb Glare]

Hi,

You can definately breastfeed your baby. It's certainly not to late. I was wondering (only if you wanted to share) what happened to make you stop breastfeeding?
As manta said, most breastfed babies feed 8-12 times in 24hrs. You will need to gradually cut back the amount of formula you give her as your supply improves. The best way to tell how much your baby is having is to watch her wet and dirty nappies - if it's coming out, it must have gone in. So you are looking for 5 or so heavy wet disposables and at least one big poo per day. Over time, you will also see that her weightgain continues.
It is important that you get information and support. As others suggest, get a lactation consultant - I can recommend one. And get in touch with your local ABA group (once again I can give you a contact. You can put your baby to the breast - straight away - as many times as you want, but in the early days, give her a bottle after she feeds. See if she takes less. As you get better, cut it down by say, 30 mls per time. Remember, she will want to feed more often.
ABA has a fabulous booklet - Adoptive breastfeeding and relactation. Only $5 - get a copy. Information is the most powerful and important thing in this sort of situation
Regards
Barb