To BF or not to BF?

My little one is 1 week old and I am trying to breastfeed. I am finding it very difficult. I don't feel like my milk production is keeping up with her demand which is leading to one screaming, hungry baby. I am supplimenting with formula but thinking of just swtiching. Any advice?

Re: To BF or not to BF?

Do you want BF to work out? If so, then you will need to take steps to make it work out.
What seems to be the issue? Why are you supplementing? Are you nervous the baby is not getting enough? How do you know that she isn't? Is her weight down? Often new bfing moms fear they are not feeding the baby enough because others tell them that they aren't or "how do you know" which causes you to be afraid and grab formula.

You can call a lacation consultant and get professional help. It is worth every penny!

We can help you if we know more about the problems.

I also find that sometimes women don't really want to bf but feel pressure to "try" and look for a reason to stop. If you don't want to bf that is perfectly OK too.

Re: To BF or not to BF?

I would tell u to not give up! It was very fustrating for me in the begining too, but it will get much easier once your milk starts to come in any day now. It took me a little over a week for my milk to start to really come in. I would just stick to feeding her the breastmilk and your flow will start up. Breastmilk is so beneficial to your baby.

Re: To BF or not to BF?

I couldn't agree with Michele more. MOST moms have a more than sufficient milk supply. I am one of the rare few who didn't but with the help of a lactation consultant 3 &1/2 months later I am still BFing my daughter and I wouldn't have it any other way.

Personally I would never give up BFing unless I had to so if you need some help called a lactation consultant. Its way cheaper than switching to formula.

Re: To BF or not to BF?

I agree with the other moms, bf is wonderful and frustrating at first. It is hard to know if the baby is getting enough. If you truly want to continue with the bfing I would suggest stop supplementing with the formula. Create a chart that has a column for time of day, which breast, how long, how many wet diapers since last feed, bms and a comments section. I found the chart to be a tremendous help. I usually used the comments section to track his sleeping so I knew how long he slept and when. With everything else going on, sometimes I forgot what time I started a feed, when he slept etc, and found the chart a lifesaver. As long as the baby is making wet diapers, having bms and is gaining weight you are doing fine. Maybe you are misreading the cries for hunger, when the baby could be tired, gassy, need a diaper change or just some loving. It is all so overwhelming, I can remember the first weeks Alex was born and he would be screaming, DH was holding him and I was trying to read a book to try and figure out what clues he was sending us Like the girls say it will get better.

Re: To BF or not to BF?

I want to give it a try. I try and feed her every 2-2 1/2 hours. Sometimes she will not latch on and gets herself so worked up she is out of control. I'll keep trying and after about 10 mins give in and give her formula which she ***** right down. I have tried to hold out as much as possible on giving the formula, but when she out of control I can't help it. I just want her to eat.

I also find I can usually feed her in during the day, but by the nightime she is out of control.

I am keeping a log and trying to feed on demand but not sure it is working.

Thanks for the adive - I am going to look into a lactation consultant.

Re: To BF or not to BF?

Where did you give birth? If you gave birth at LIJ, I know they have lactation consultants you can contact for free. If you didn't give birth at LIJ, call the hospital you did give birth at and see if they offer LCs for free before you pay someone else.

Re: To BF or not to BF?

I will say that while the LC was expensive she was worth every penny and I still saved a ton of money over formula.

You may need help with calming and latching techniques. Also, if you hand express a bit of BM before she tries to latch your milk will already be flowing. Sometimes babies get very impatient and wan the milk the second they latch...when it is not there they get very upset.

Re: To BF or not to BF?

The LC I used will answer questions on the phone for free, even if you never make an appointment with her. I do know that she would tell you to stop supplementing because when you BF it works on supply and demand - the more the baby feeds (or tries to feed) the more your body will make. When you supplement, you are taking away what is telling your body to make more. It is difficult at first (I went to see the LC three times - I was doing it completely wrong). There is plenty of support for you out there if you really want to BF, both professional and all of us here.

Re: To BF or not to BF?

Just wanted to add some more support your way. Breastfeeding is very hard in the beginning, it does not come naturally. Get the help you need if you want it to work, and stop supplementing unless your pediatrician has told you to because of weight loss -- supplementing is just going to make it harder for you to get breastfeeding established...

Here is a link to an amazing site with all sorts of good advice:
Kellymom

Re: To BF or not to BF?

Thank you for all your help