Breatfeeding dilema.... | ExpatWoman.com
 

Breatfeeding dilema....

394
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 22 June 2011 - 11:07

appologies if this is too much information for some.

My 1st child was born 3 months ago and i tried to breatfeed her, didnt "work". I tried expressing but i didnt have enough milk too keep up with her demand so since she was 2 weeks old she has been on formula only. I noticed in the past month my b**bs have been "leaking" in the mornings only? So this morning i thought id express just to see how much there was, too my surprise there was enough to give her a top up on her formula (in a seperate bottle) and she wolfed it down.

So my questions are
1) why hasnt my milk dried up when there wasnt enough to begin with?
2) Should i express and give her whats there in the mornings?
3) should i see if she will take to the b**b or is it too late? (confusion issues?)

She is a very good eater and doubled her birthweight in 8 weeks.
She used to sleep for quite a long strech through the night but has recently (past 3 weeks) started getting up twice a night.

Thanks for any info

671
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 22 June 2011 - 18:00
Kiwispiers, when suggesting co-bathing (or in this case agreeing w a suggestion) I always err on the side of caution :) I know it's mentioned in the articles themselves, but better safe than sorry :)
2782
Posts
EW EXPERT
Latest post on 22 June 2011 - 17:24
BFC I can see how you might be a bit weak directly post-birth but do you think it is dangerous to bathe with a 3 month old without another person? I used to do this all the time with my baby when he was 4 months old. You just lay towels next to the bath so you can lift him out and lay him down then get out yourself.
1861
Posts
EW EXPERT
Latest post on 22 June 2011 - 17:22
Maybe the pressure was too much right in the begining and now if she take to it she takes to it - if you know what i mean? Absolutely! You're now coming at it from the angle that she's already feeding well, has healthy weight gain and now this opportunity has just popped up - if it works out, so much the better, but if it doesn't, you will have had a lovely relaxing afternoon together, which is not to be sniffed at either. Have fun!
394
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 22 June 2011 - 15:34
Emma, you might find this page helpful for things to try if you're considering offering the breast again: http://www.kellymom.com/bf/concerns/baby/back-to-breast.html and also this page is excellent: http://lactationconsultant.info/rebirth.html (Many mums and babies have found co-bathing to be very helpful; however, please make sure that you are not alone when you do this, for safety.) xx Thanks will check out the links when the wee one is sleeping :-)
671
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 22 June 2011 - 15:31
Emma, you might find this page helpful for things to try if you're considering offering the breast again: http://www.kellymom.com/bf/concerns/baby/back-to-breast.html and also this page is excellent: http://lactationconsultant.info/rebirth.html (Many mums and babies have found co-bathing to be very helpful; however, please make sure that you are not alone when you do this, for safety.) xx
394
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 22 June 2011 - 15:06
Thanks for the replies ladies, i think i will definately take the advice and go for a bath together then see if she'll take to it or lay in bed and give it a go. Maybe the pressure was too much right in the begining and now if she take to it she takes to it - if you know what i mean?
2782
Posts
EW EXPERT
Latest post on 22 June 2011 - 13:34
My biggest ever yield of pumping was 150mL, after pumping both breasts, this while my baby was gaining 300 grams per week from BF alone. So not being able to pump doesn't really mean your milk is not enough so long as the baby can get to it. Def give direct feeding another bash, what do you have to lose?. Try when she is relaxed and naked ;) (a nice relaxing bath together). You could try using a nipple shield if she doesn't get the idea to suck when your nipple is in her mouth. If you want to build your supply back up, and she won't feed directly, try pumping again, perhaps in the evening after she has gone to bed as well as in the morning (more often if you can manage)
Anonymous (not verified)
0
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 22 June 2011 - 12:57
gosh - wow! To be honest, if you want to give her your milk or try breastfeeding again, then don't ask why, just try! The best stimulation for your milk is your own baby, so why not have a no-pressure skin to skin session on your bed and let her try it out. You might be surprised at how she knows what to do... or might not, but there's no pressure to perform. If things go well, then try switching to breastfeeding and only top up with formula if she gives you the right cues. Don't worry about how much you used to get by expressing - pumping just doesn't work for some people - never did with me. To give you an idea, I would usually only get max 3oz out of one session on both breasts... one day I pumped with DS on the other breast and he created the let down - in less than a minute the bottle was about to overflow! See how it goes. Direct feeding is definitely easier! well said!
1861
Posts
EW EXPERT
Latest post on 22 June 2011 - 12:46
gosh - wow! To be honest, if you want to give her your milk or try breastfeeding again, then don't ask why, just try! The best stimulation for your milk is your own baby, so why not have a no-pressure skin to skin session on your bed and let her try it out. You might be surprised at how she knows what to do... or might not, but there's no pressure to perform. If things go well, then try switching to breastfeeding and only top up with formula if she gives you the right cues. Don't worry about how much you used to get by expressing - pumping just doesn't work for some people - never did with me. To give you an idea, I would usually only get max 3oz out of one session on both breasts... one day I pumped with DS on the other breast and he created the let down - in less than a minute the bottle was about to overflow! See how it goes. Direct feeding is definitely easier!
 
 

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