I'm another with diagnosed poor supply and we had to mix feed from 13 days old. Just wanted you to know that using formula doesn't always meant that they'll go off the breast - we had success with the Calma bottle, but that was after weeks of syringe feeding and tube-on-boob (SNS) feeding. 10 months later, and he still loves his boob-milk, despite the fact that he has had both BM and Formula all his life.
I second the 'get a really, really good pump' advice. And a double pump, cos that cuts down the time it takes to pump, and you need to get all the rest/sleep you can.
Also, I found that my late afternoon supply went up significantly on days I had an afternoon sleep. I know this for absolute sure cos we had a borrowed baby scale, and was weighing pre-and post feed to know exactly how much BM he was getting, and was recording it on charts for a couple of months.
Good luck. I know just how stressful it is having a baby that doesn't gain weight.
Not much change this past week - if anything had a little weight gain and DD finally today is back to her birth weight today at 24 days old - 3120g.
Today I picked up a pump from the baby clinic and I'm giving it one last attempt to get my milk flowing or I think I'll be onto formula as she isn't gaining much and to top it off has picked up croup and has two doses of steroids to help her.
My fingers are crossed as I SO WANT this to be successful even with others telling me just to go to formula and forget BF'ing. But in the end I will do what keeps my baby girl healthy.
mummaof1, if you do have to supplement with formula it doesn't have to be the end of breastfeeding. The two can be combined for a short period, or for a longer one.
That's great she's gained weight and is back to birth weight. Well done.
Is she waking for feeds well now? You're doing really well, let us know how you're getting on. And as HotI says, using formula doesn't have to mean the end of breastfeeding if you don't want it to.
Yes she wakes twice during the night but only feeds for about 10-15 in total for both sides and then she is back asleep. Last night she only did 5 mins on one side and then I couldn't get her to do the second side. Supply is def an issue. She is only feeding for max 3 mins each side during the day - gets the initial let down and then stops so I don't know how long I can keep any sort of supply with her only feeding for such a short period.
I know I can mix feed ongoing which is fine but I just don't think my milk will stay around with her feeding the way she is at present. I'm on Motillium and fenugreek and now expressing with a hospital grade pump but I run a business from home plus have a 5yo and simply don't have the physical time to so everything in a day plus be able to pump enough to keep my supply up. I'm hoping if I pump for these next few weeks that my supply will increase and she will start feeding properly so I can cease pumping and just BF.
I 'm sorry, I don't think I have read all your posts. have you tried breast compressions when bub starts to slow her sucking? it can help the milk flow and stimulate let down, and encourage bub to keep sucking.
You're working really hard to feed your baby mumma!
Breast compressions and switching back again (so offering three or even four 'sides' per feed) can help to maximise the amount of milk that she's taking. If expressing is harder, and she's interested, you can also try little top-ups between feeds at the breast.
You're doing great xo I hope you have support and care for yourself as well
Hi, I recommend mothers in situations like this see a lactation consultant. sometimes mothers apply a solution (the breastpump and motillium) without knowing what the “problem" is exactly. If the solution doesn’t match the problem - then it won’t be fixed and mothers are left feeling they “did everything” but it didn’t work anyway. A skilled LC will help you work out whether it is a “mother” problem - ie lack of glandular tissue, insufficient breast emptying, pre-existing medical condition (not many of these, but some) retained placenta, a “baby’ problem - baby not sucking effectively, jaundiced, prem, not feeding enough, physical annomoly that makes it difficult to feed effectively (these lists are not exhaustive, just an indication) It can be complex, but when you unearth the problem and find the right solution it can be magical. Not all problems can be solved, but most mothers I work with appreciate having an understanding of what is happening and why.
Hi, I recommend mothers in situations like this see a lactation consultant. sometimes mothers apply a solution (the breastpump and motillium) without knowing what the “problem" is exactly. If the solution doesn’t match the problem - then it won’t be fixed and mothers are left feeling they “did everything” but it didn’t work anyway. A skilled LC will help you work out whether it is a “mother” problem - ie lack of glandular tissue, insufficient breast emptying, pre-existing medical condition (not many of these, but some) retained placenta, a “baby’ problem - baby not sucking effectively, jaundiced, prem, not feeding enough, physical annomoly that makes it difficult to feed effectively (these lists are not exhaustive, just an indication) It can be complex, but when you unearth the problem and find the right solution it can be magical. Not all problems can be solved, but most mothers I work with appreciate having an understanding of what is happening and why.
Ok, I'm coming at this from a completely different angle and its because of my history with ds. What has the outcome been in regards to the heart murmur? Has bub had an echo? I only ask because this rings alarm bells for me as the falling asleep after 5 mins on the boob and being constantly hungry is exactly what ds was doing.
In our case it was a sign of a much more serious heart condition. He was diagnosed with a murmur at discharge as well but we never made the follow up visit as he had been admitted back into hospital by then.
I don't mean to scare you and 9 times out of 10 murmurs in babies are innocent but please pay close attention to breathing issues, fluid retention and fussiness. If she hasn't had an echo, can you ask your paed why not.
Reply With Quote
Bookmarks