BF question

DC is 8 days old. he is being Formula fed, and I am pumping , adding whatever I get to his formula. we had latching issues in the hospital and he is very impatient when it comes to feeding time. I really want to try BF again, is it too late ?

Re: BF question

It is not too late. If you want to nurse you still can. I sugest goign to kellymom . This site is a lifesaver. Nursing is not easy but is very rewarding. That site will help you with latching and building up your supply. You basically need to take a nursing holiday. Just keep putting the baby to the breast and letting him eat. This will stimulate more milk production. Feed him at least every 4 hours but my ds fed every 1.5 to 2 hours. Put him to the breast first and then give him a bottle after if he is still hungry. Try to pump for a few minutes on each side after he nurses. If there is still milk you can pump that and give him that instead of formula after his next feeding. Keep yourself hydrated and you can try eating oatmeal. It can help boost production. Like I said it is not easy but I think it is well worth it. Watch out for sore nips. if it gets bad there are soothie things you can get or an all purpose nipple ointment you can make. Good luck

Re: BF question

Thanks!

any one else have any advice, this is much harder than I thought

Re: BF question

I agree with the above poster. La Leche really helped me at the beginning of BF. If you go to llli.org you can find leaders in your area. All you need to do is call them, if not all of them and talk.

Re: BF question

It's absolutely possible. It's extremely hard work, but if it's important to you it's worth it.

It took DD 5 weeks to learn to BF. We've been going strong ever since. It took a lot of patience, time and baby steps but it finally worked.

If you have any questions of what worked for us, let me know.

Edited for spelling.

Message edited 9/22/2008 4:09:54 PM.

Re: BF question

Definitely! I would call a lactation consultant if you can afford to. I used Beverly Rea in Manhasset and she was great!

Re: BF question

i don't think it is too late either. DD had a poor latch and was very frustrated...i was pumping but my supply was low and would never increase (not with any intervention or even the first pumping of the day). i was pumping exclusively and supplementing with formula for the first 3 months. it was tough to find the time to pump, feed her, and wash both bottles and pump parts, but it was worth it.

Re: BF question

Definitely call in a lactation consultant. My DD had a very tough time with latching on, and the LC changed all that! (Now she's almost 11 months & we're still going strong...)

Re: BF question

Not too late...definitely call a lactation consultant...

I BF my first DD and it was so easy compared to this one...

Although my milk came in, my supply is very very low...my DD was always hungry afterward and would cry as I prepared a bottle...it was heart breaking. She had no problem latching though...

So now I exclusively pump (I really miss the bonding). But it's my way of giving her my milk and it works for us. I just mix the milk with formula.

I tried taking Fenugreek, and although I did see a slight increase in my milk, it gave me migraines and I had to stop taking it.

I'm sure your body is still producing milk - you just need to retrain it, in a sense, to produce more of it and more often.

Good luck with it!

Re: BF question

A friend of mine recommended Milk Thistle tea to increase milk production. They sell it in health food stores. Good Luck!

Message edited 9/23/2008 9:14:01 AM.