I have a 6 week old bub (exactly today, it's gone so fast ) and he's been exclusively BF from birth, we have had no problems. I had a c-section. Now I have a massive infection (endomitritis) which has been there for a while so it's spreading and if left for any longer I could lose my uterus The 2 types of antibiotics I'm on arent safe to take while BF- long story short he has to have formula until I'm off these antibiotics which is at least a week :'(
I am very lucky to have met some beautiful people on here, 1 who loaned me a pump and another who left her 4 beautiful children last night to come and comfort me as I was a mess- she also taught me how to use the pump One of my beautiful BElly buddies offered me some of her EBM but DF isn't keen, nut I've been talking him round.
But I HAVE to start FF from 7 this morning- which formula is best? I have avent bottles with the newborn teat....
How do I know he's not tolerating it?
How often should I express?
I'm so upset that I can't even wean him onto it- he's just going from exclusively BF straight to FF!
I'm worried about losing my supply.
But most of all I'm so scared that after this is over he won't take the breast again :'(
TIA, sorry for the novel.
You need to ring Rodney Whyte at the Monash Medical centre as soon as it opens at 9am The phone number is 03 9594 2361. Breastfeeding is very important and needs to be preserved - so does your uterus. Very few drugs are contraindicated with breastfeeding and there should always be alternatives that are suitable. If you need to express you need to express every 3 hours and I suggest you hire a pump from ABA - they are just better and easier when you have such a workload ahead of you. Look after yourself, you have been put in a terrible position - not easy
Oh I'm so sorry! I hope Barb and others pop in here soon. All I can help you with are the teats for bottles, unfortunately. Many brands claim to be breast like and nature like, but none of them really are...the best and closest I found was the Medela Calma teat. It's made for already bf babies and is designed based on actual research. The actual teat isn't anything spesh, but the way it works is, to get the milk baby has to suck it into a reservoir, and then into their mouth, so when they stop sucking there's not a constant drip. Its teat is also a little longer than sone other types. Anyway that worked well for me when I was ebm feeding dd.
I'm on my phone so I can't see, but are you in Melbourne? I have ebm if you need it.
Express at normal feeds or close to it. On average 3-4 hours. If you miss a night you should be ok. 15-20 min either side. When you bring him back to bf he may feed a little extra to bring back supply
One way to see if he is tolerating it is to keep an eye on him after feeding. My dd came up with a rash from s26 original but after the s26 gold was fine.
He will poo more and if it's a hot day you may need to introduce some water.
Barb- thankyou. I was told by the doctor that the antibiotics are unsuitable while BF , he could'nt give me anything else because the infection is severe. But the main concern we had was I had a UTI when Riley was 10 days old and took antibiotics for that. 2 days later he had a fit and stopped breathing. I stopped them and he never had one again.
PZ I'm on the gold coast, thanks for the offer anyway
Onelittleprincess- thankyou I have S26 gold- I'll start with that.
hi hun sorry to hear you are going through all this, just wanted to remind you that with the time difference you can ring the man barb is suggesting at 8am your time, can you hold Riley off until after that for a feed ?
Just a heads up, he will poo more but also be prepared for a colour change and possibly for it to be a bit more whiffy than a bf poo too. No one told me about this when I had to put DD on formula unexpectedly and I freaked out a bit - but she was totally fine in the end. He may also have a bit of an upset tummy or be a little bit windier than usual as well.
Ring Rodney Whyte. Call a local LC.
One feed on the teats you have won't ruin everything - then go out & get a slow flow teat, the slowest there is. If you go to Treetops pharmacy they have a baby nurse there on Wednesday mornings who is also an LC, I will find out for you if she's still there. She'll be able to advise on teats also, she's very pro-BF.
Express every 3 1/2 hours. Start bub on the S26 and see how he goes.
I have no advice sorry but i just wanted to offer you some support and let you know you CAN get through this. Do what you need to do to make yourself well. Your little one will be fine on FF for the time you need to feed him that way.'
i agree with PP but also wanted to say that if you need/would like reassurance that he will take the breast again, ring the ABA. i rang them in tears when DS was a NB & the counsellor told me some amazing & inspiring stories about women who have continued (or started) to BF in extremely challenging circumstances.
take care of yourself & i hope the infection clears up quickly
Oh I can't even imagine how you are feeling
Please give the guy a ring that Barb said. Sometimes GPs don't really understand about medication and breastfeeding. It is likely that there will be something that will work for you and you can continue to feed. I don't know about formula sorry. I'm in Brisbane so if you need anything just yell
Hi - I had ABs (2 types) for endometritis a month ago when DD2 was 3 weeks old. They were prescribed by the doctor at the main maternity hospital here and I continued to breastfeed as the doctor said it was safe. I wonder if they are the same medications you are on? All major maternity hospitals in capital cities have a pregnancy and breastfeeding drug information service for other doctors/ health professionals to consult with if unsure when prescribing drugs. Patients can also contact these helplines. Rodney Whyte is a good resource also. Good luck and hugs x
Thankyou everyone for your support. I haven't replied earlier as I'm really struggling, I can't stop crying. I rang Rodney and he's away on holidays The lady I spoke to said that Rodney had ok'ed BF with the antibiotics I'm on before- but on half the dose I'm on and only for a week. She wanted to speak to him before saying anything either way. She tried to call him and couldn't get through, but said it'd 'probably be ok' but there's not alot of research and its a grey area. I didn't want to risk it, so I've been giving bub formula and expressing.
But now I'm losing supply in my left boob, I suspect I've got blocked ducts because when I express I can only seriously see milk coming out of one hole. The most I've gotten out of it is 40mls, and the last 2 times I've expressed I've only just covered the bottom of the bottle.
I can't stop crying, this is a nightmare!
I need help- urgent :'(
The 2 types of antibiotics I'm on arent safe to take while BF- long story short he has to have formula until I'm off these antibiotics which is at least a week :'(
One of my beautiful BElly buddies offered me some of her EBM but DF isn't keen, nut I've been talking him round.
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I hope Barb and others pop in here soon. All I can help you with are the teats for bottles, unfortunately. Many brands claim to be breast like and nature like, but none of them really are...the best and closest I found was the Medela Calma teat. It's made for already bf babies and is designed based on actual research. The actual teat isn't anything spesh, but the way it works is, to get the milk baby has to suck it into a reservoir, and then into their mouth, so when they stop sucking there's not a constant drip. Its teat is also a little longer than sone other types. Anyway that worked well for me when I was ebm feeding dd. 
and expressing.
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