I've been struggling through bfing my 3.5 week old DD. I'm very fair skinned and bruise easily, so was in agony even with constant paracetamol. I used nipple shields for over a week after the first 12 days and this seemed to be making it bearable - but then she got colic/hunger - not sure - so I started feeding from one breast at each feed to ensure she was getting the hind milk.
However at the HV visit she had lost alot of weight. Then when I took her in a week later to be weighed she had lost another 5 ounzes (11 in total from her birth weight). So, I bit the bullet and decided to top up with formula. She seemed much happier (once we found a teat that is like a nipple - she couldn't get her head round the silicone ones). I was then feeding every 6 hours myself (so 12 hours for each breast). The upshot is that on Saturday I realised she seemed hungry after a long feed from me, and when I tried to express there was only a drop coming out! In my despair I gave up yesterday and decided to go on the bottle full time. However today I realised that this is not what I want to do. She is sleeping much better and seems much more alert on bottles alone.
Is it too late to get back to breast feeding? I have accepted the idea of mixing as I know the priority is for her to thrive. And how do I make sure I have enough milk? Am really worried that I have mucked it all up now by stopping so early before my milk is even established. I have an overwhelming feelingg of guilt and failure. I have fed her twice today from both breasts at each feed and then topped up with a bottle to see if I can get things flowing again....
Any help/advice greatly appreciated
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Infant feeding
Help! Is it too late to breast feed?
15 replies
PotPourri · 10/01/2005 16:23
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