Establishing bf at 4 weeks.

[MyDaydream]

I tried bf in hospital with DS but for several reasons found it too stressful, mainly because I didn't get it and nobody had any advice further than "latch him on" which I didn't get, especially when so sleep deprived, in pain and dealing with a screaming newborn. In the end the thought of getting him on my very sore breast reduced me to tears and I gave up, I've been expressing for him since, with a formula feed in the night.
DS is now 4 and a half weeks. I don't know why but when we were having a skin to skin cuddle yesterday I just tried to latch him on and he did suck for a little while. I did the same today when he was being fussy and he spent maybe 5 minutes sucking and is now conked out cuddling boob. So I was wondering if I can perfect getting him latched on properly if its too late to try throwing a couple of proper BFs in the day? I feel a lot calmer about feeding now, there's no pressure on me to do it, if it doesn't work nothing lost. Should I just keep trying when were having a cuddle over the weekend trying to build up length as I go? And at this stage will my flow increase to give him the extra milk or is it too late for that?
There's a breastfeeding group on Monday so I can go ask questions then, but I'd love some input to get me through the weekend while I try it.

[tiktok]

Of course you can start again....how lovely!

Don't limit yourself to trying for a couple of feeds, either.

Just go for it and see where it takes you :)

Frequency is more important than length of time on any particular occasion.

Lots of skin to skin, no-pressure cuddles, snuggle up in bed with him, and yes, your milk will increase in volume and flow (not overnight....give it time, but anything you get (and he gets) will be a lovely bonus :) ). Plenty of people on mumsnet have relactated.

[absandme]

wow, go for it if thats what you feel is right, I had issues & pumped for 6 weeks before getting help from a bf counsellor & went to my local breastfeeding group which sounds scarier than it is, I still go just for lunch & sometimes the odd bit of advise too from the helper or other mums there.

Perhaps try latching every feed, be relaxed about it, if you are tense babies can pick up on it, not that you will be totally relaxed, it's a pretty new thing to do.

But yes, you can do it & so can baby!

[DrMcDreamysWife]

I did it. Expressed for four weeks trying to get dd to latch. She didn't latch consistently until four weeks and then by 8 weeks she refused bottle and has been obsessed with boob ever since! She is 5 months old today. We did have a rough couple of weeks where she was permanently attached to build up my supply as I had been supplementing with formula but as I say by 8 weeks she was exclusively boob. Boobs were very sore at first but feels like the easiest most natural thing now and bar a nasty mastitis run in January breastfeeding is going very well.

Go for it!