Hi there! Our baby girl was born on Sunday and I was wanting to breastfeed exclusively, but due to circumstances I was unable to. She was 2 weeks early and put into the special care nursery because of breathing issues and I was unable to feed her for the first 2 days. She is now 4 days old and home with us ready to eat! She has been eating from a bottle.. formula and breast milk that I have been pumping. I am having troubles getting her to latch on and then be satisfied since my milk is still not in.
Should I keep pumping and just giving her what I am able to and supplement with formula or what?? She has been eating about 40ml every 2 hours and I have only been able to pump about 20ml every 3 hours.
Any advice or suggestions would be very helpful.
I did not breastfeed my other 2 kids and they have both had some health issues and I would really like to avoid any problems with this one!
Thank You everyone for your responses! I am putting her to the breast now at every feeding, but then pumping because she is still having a hard time latching on... I WILL keep trying! And today my milk decided to come in so the good news is I am getting more for her to eat, the bad news is I am in so much pain it is hard to continue with it!
contact this lactation consultant!! My daughter was 3 1/2 weeks early,she had issues lachting on and I was told I'd have problems breastfeeding. not the case! this lactation consultant taught me what I needed to know.I breastfed successfully for 13 months and made so much milk that I donated 100 oz's to the breastmilk org. she's a miracle worker!
Jane O'conner ###-###-####
Definitely contact the lactation consultants at the hospital. If you can go there, they should be able to assist without charging. If you can afford to, have someone come out to you. My daughter got formula in a bottle as well as breastmilk I pumped until we got it together for breastfeeding. It is still very early so you can still succeed. Good luck.
A.,
I am sorry to hear about your difficulty breasfeading. I had a similar situation with my first. He was in the NICU for almost a week. When I got home I was determined to breastfeed. I spoke many times to a lactation consultant. She came to my house and helped in the comfort of my own home. After all was said and done. I was solely nursing my son within 3 and a half weeks. Get support, and if you don't know where to go, start with your OB/GYN or pediatrician.
good luck.
K.
Congratulations!!!!!
I would make an appointment with the lactation consultant at your hospital. They can show you how to make it work. It made a world of a difference with my son and painful latching.
Good luck,
V.
Getting her to latch properly is going to make all the difference in the world to bringing your milk in. Try to pump every time she eats if she won't latch and get in to see someone ASAP for the latch. If you can't get an LC, try contacting LLL in your area. Alot of them have leaders or aspiring LCs who can come to you and help you out.
Some good resources until then:
http://www.kellymom.com/newman/26baby_refuses_to_latch.html
The video clips here are excellent.
http://www.kellymom.com/newman/26baby_refuses_to_latch.html
Latch is one of the hardest things to fix. My 1st got nipple confused cause he had to be in the NICU and take some bottles too. It was so hard to come back from, but once we got there (it did take 4 weeks before I could get him to latch decently) it was soooo worth it.
Good luck, and keep your chin up!
The more you supplement the less milk your body is going to make, so keep that in mind. Also, she shouldn't be eating from a bottle from this point or she is more likely to become "nipple confused." You can feed her from a dropper or even a cup if she truely needs it, but should be put on the breast as much as possible. I wouldn't set a schedule- just put her up to it as much as she seems to want it. Your body hasn't had the stimulation it needs from her so far so you may struggle with supply issues for a while. Make sure you are getting enough rest, eating and drinking as much as you can! Because she was early she needs your milk more than ever. Even cuddling with her up to your chest will help stimulate. The supplemental nursing device already recommended would be a great option. A lactation consultant should have access to one of these from you. You can also contact your local la leche league for assitance as well. Good luck and congrats on deciding to breastfeed!
i would pump ecery 3 hours AFTER offering her your breast every time she seems to want it. Work with a LC on latch. Aslo consider using a SNS (supplemental nursing system) instead of bottle as this will both stimulate your milk production and get her used to your breast. At 4 days old she doesnt need much food and will really benefit from your cholostrum. keep at it and you'll have a good start. congrats on your new baby!!
This is really a personal choice A., you can ultimately train your body to give as much as your babe needs, but you will probably still have to supplement with formula. If you WANT to continue to breastfeed, Keep trying to get her to latch on, she may have issues and you may need to get a nipple sheild or pump before you feed her to jumpstart let down. The more breastmilk you can give her, the better, and every little bit you can do is wonderful. Keep at it.... you are giving your child a wonderful gift!
Call a lactation consultant now!
Everyone here has wonderful and helpful advice (so, understand ladies I am NOT knocking you at all) but you really want someone with training and experience to be physically with you and your baby helping you along. Consult your local La Leche League and/or go to mothering.com (beware though; mothering.com is a very one-sided site that does not tolerate any views or beliefs that don't align with theirs) to find a GOOD lactation consultant.
