Introducing BF after a FF start - any reassurance / success stories?

[Plateofcrumbs]

I have a five day old DS who despite best efforts is currently almost entirely subsisting on formula.

He was born extremely sleepy and despite some decent support in hospital were unable to get him to latch. We started topping up with formula (plus some expressed colostrum/milk).

I am still doing my best to get him to feed from breast - with occasional success but no real breakthrough, and have just started pumping. But most of what he's getting is still formula.

Has anyone got any experience of getting BF back on track after a similarly bad start? Success stories would give me some hope that all is not lost!

[AnythingNotEverything]

Congratulations on your new baby!

DD was cup fed, then tube fed (both continuously and 3 hourly at different stages). We left hospital on day 7 almost exclusively bf. I had continued to pump and tried to put her to the breast at each feed although she didn't take anything as she was too sleepy from jaundice to latch. My supply wasn't adversely affected and I'm still feeding at 9 months. Is that helpful?

Are you being supported by your local infant feeding team? HV? NCT breastfeeding counsellor?

[Bigbird01]

Plate my milk didn't come in when I had my twins by c-section, so had to resort to FF for the first few days. I kept trying (and topping up with formula) and after about 2 weeks finally got to the point where I was able to BF without top ups. It can work out. Try not to push yourself too hard - easier said than done, I know - it really does work better if both of you are relaxed. Good luck!!

[Plateofcrumbs]

Thank you both - am trying to get as much support as possible. Community midwife this morning was trying to be reassuring in a 'don't beat yourself up' kind of way but inadvertently made me feel like the odds were firmly against me getting back on track. I just need to hear it's still possible.

[AnythingNotEverything]

I'm not qualified, but the advice we were given was to put baby to breast at every opportunity, look out for early feeding cues (ie being awake!), lots of skin to skin, keep pumping to develop your supply. Basically breast first and formula or EBM second. Hopefully you can build the bf and drop the bottles.

Be mindful that bf babies feed often. Being hungry an hour after a feed doesn't necessarily mean there's something wrong with your supply.

Get some real life help. Is there a breastfeeding cafe somewhere tomorrow you could visit? Or the midwifery team should have a specialist they can send to help with a plan.

[tiktok]

Being hungry half an hour or even 20 mins or even 10 mins after a feed does not mean anything wrong, either, let alone an hour :)

Frequent feeding, lots of skin to skin, and a comfortable attachment so you can feed often without any pain....that should do the trick. 5 days is still a newborn. Time is on your side.

(I am assuming the reason for his difficulty in latching was just the sleepiness and that's over now).

[CultureSucksDownWords]

This is similar to my situation with my DS. He was tube fed with formula (plus whatever colostrum I could express) in hospital and then had mostly formula. It took a while to get him to latch properly and we moved to full breastfeeding by about 6 to 8 weeks. So it can be done, although it was quite hard work.

[callamia]

I had the same experience as culture (supercool username). DS was in nicu for four days being tube and bottle fed formula with whatever milk I could express. He was then released to me, and neither of us had a blue what to do. It took a further week, and three trips to breastfeeding cafes, before we phased out formula. Do get as much support as you can - even if it's just to reassure you that you're doing it right.

Feed as often as you can. As soon as he wakes up, stick him on. He will work on stimulating your supply. It didn't take too long for my son to work it out, although it was a painful experience getting there. A month in, all was going well, and nine months in, we're still going. If you'd told me this when I was sobbing at two weeks, I may not have believed you. Good luck!

[scandichick]

My baby couldn't latch efficiently, and was on formula until the lactation consultant suggested trying medela nipple shields after a week. Suddenly it worked - it was amazing!

I'd been pumping to keep up supply and haven't had any issues since then - he's seven months now and as chubby as they come

Has your baby been checked (by several people) for tongue-tie?
My DS's tongue wasn't tied, but apparently it was slightly too round to latch efficiently.

Hope it works out for you, best of luck!

[Dangermouse1]

Yes it can, but get some specialist help if you can find it - ask midwife about local breastfeeding support. Good luck.

[Plateofcrumbs]

Thank you everyone. I feel reassured that this might be possible although little DS is not making it easy!