I'm pretty sad about this, so please be kind

[AbbeysMom]

I don't think I can bf.

Abbey has had latch problems and my supply has always been low, and when she got very dehydrated the LC and pediatrician both suggested I supplement. The LC suggested I stop trying to get her to latch for awhile because she was "burning what little fat she had" in fits of frustrated crying at the breast. I now think both the pedi and LC were probably wrong but I'm afraid its too late... my supply is about an ounce after pumping for 45 minutes (even after downing several cups of fennugreek tea over the past few days, sent to me by a very sweet apa-er) and Abbey looks at my breasts like they're foreign objects. :(

My current plan is this, and I'd appreciate input from the veterans on this board:

-I'm committed to pumping, even if I can only get an ounce, because I sure her little immune system appreciates it,
-I'm going to keep up the oatmeal and tea, and pump every 2-3 hours this weekend. If there is no supply increase I may ask my OB about medication to increase supply, although I'm worried about side effects.
-I'm calling a new LC and hoping she can help me in a last ditch attempt to get Abbey to latch on.


I know its strange, but I'm really sad about not being able to bf, like I feel like I'm mourning something. :ohno:

[amylove]

I'm sorry you having such a rough go of it.
What kind of pump are you using right now? If it's not a hospital grade that could make a difference. Have you tried a nipple shield? It really helped me get my son back on my breast.
For my supply issues I took dom and it really worked. It is said to have less side effects.
I would definitely talk to a LC. It's worth a shot!

[PurplePasion]

I'm really sorry you are struggling with this. I have no advice just :hugs: and :pray:

[AbbeysMom]

I'm sorry you having such a rough go of it.
What kind of pump are you using right now? If it's not a hospital grade that could make a difference. Have you tried a nipple shield? It really helped me get my son back on my breast.
For my supply issues I took dom and it really worked. It is said to have less side effects.
I would definitely talk to a LC. It's worth a shot!

I forgot to say, but I bought a few different sized nipple shields, but Abbey is very grabby and usually pulls them off straight away. I'm hoping an LC can tell me if I'm using them correctly.

Did you have any noticeable side effects on Domperidone?

[babyjoy414]

The first time I pumped at 2 weeks I got a 1/8 oz!! Your body has to get used to the pump...keep trying and please don't give up! Why do you think your supply is low? It has not even been established yet she is only two weeks old. When my DD was 2 weeks she was on the breast 24/7 and I thought she was starving. It took her a month to gain back her birth weight. Suppliment if you think you need to but definitely keep pumping and let her nurse all the time. KUP...I want to hear what the new LC says. :hugs:

[JennM17]

put her to the breast before you pump each time. she will help your supply but then you can pump what else you have. talk to a new LC about the latch and supply.

on a side note, i pumped for the first 4 weeks of my sons life and then he took to the breast after that. let me know if you have any question

[AbbeysMom]

put her to the breast before you pump each time. she will help your supply but then you can pump what else you have. talk to a new LC about the latch and supply.

on a side note, i pumped for the first 4 weeks of my sons life and then he took to the breast after that. let me know if you have any question

That gives me so much hope! I might have some questions for you after see the LC. :)

[cheeksy]

:hugs: I dont have any advice. Hope you working out with your LO!

[teachermom]

The PP posters have great advice. Hugs and I hope your LC can help. Remember, the first weeks are incredibly difficult for most of us, but if you can get over the hump it will be worth it!

[salzookeeper]

Have you tried a supplemetal nursing system? I had problems bfing too and finally had to quit because nothig I tried helped. I wanted to try this, but I couldn't really afford it at the time. If you use this, then your baby is getting the nutrition she needs, whether by formula or EBM, and your breasts get the stimulation they need to produce more milk until you have a well established supply and don't need the SNS. Just a thought. You might try it.

And I know how you feel. I was very upset about having to quit bfing. I cried when I realized nothing i was doing was helping and that I would have to quit. But Lynari is doing very well on soy formula now and she's no longer hungry all the time so i feel much better about it now.

[Aurora]

Hugs...it's not strange at all to feel like you are mourning. I might have to wean early because of recurrent mastitis, and I feel a loss even though I have BF for 4 months. You've gotten great advice here. Def. find a new LC. Good luck.

[amylove]

I forgot to say, but I bought a few different sized nipple shields, but Abbey is very grabby and usually pulls them off straight away. I'm hoping an LC can tell me if I'm using them correctly.

Did you have any noticeable side effects on Domperidone?

I had none. It increased my pumping output by 10oz though not everyone sees that much of an increase.

As someone else mentioned the SNS might be helpful too. I used one for a short time with Luke.

[haydensmom]

I would definitely get an SNS and feed her through that alone. That way, she's stimulating your breast, gets used to it, and is still getting more than you are producing. I can't believe the LC didn't recommend that. :conf: There was a momma on here who pumped for 4 months and then got her baby on the breast. Don't give up hope!!!

[sundrip]

You can do it! She's still so very little that I'm sure it will work out. I agree with trying an SNS. Also, instead of using a bottle, you might consider using a pinch cup, dropper or finger feeder if you can't get an SNS right away.

[macksmom]

I would try an different LC for sure.

How is her output? Does she have at least 5 or more wet and 3-4 poopy diapers every day?

[xaive]

i agree with the other ladies, if you are really hoping to BF, then don't give up!
i use the fenugreek pills. they seem more potant to me than the tea. i take 3 at a time, i try to take them 3 times a day, but sometimes only remember to take them once a day.

without them, i only get about 1/2 oz per side per pump, and with them i get about 1.5oz on one side and about an oz on the other.

the first 3 weeks were pure heck for me BF!!!! when she DID eventually latch on i would kick and scream it hurt so bad on the one side! she was actually UNDER her birth weight at her one month appointment.

if you have no medical problems, i would really try to stck it out. my LO was up almost 24/7 for the first 3 weeks because she wasn't getting enough nutrition. i would call my mother at 4am in tears because she wouldn't stop crying.

you get through it. i am so happy i can BF her. although she gets about 70% formula, i am still able to give her breast milk. i wish she were on 100% breast milk, but due to medical conditions, that is not possible.

it is so nice to hear of someone who really wants to BF and is doing everything possible to make it happen.

don't give up hope!!

although time consuming, i would try nursing her, and if possible pump afterwards. right after.

GL

oh! BTW, it took 3 weeks and 3 LC to get her to latch on. we still sometimes have issues.

[astonishing]

My little one didn't have trouble with a latch, but had trouble gaining weight because she expelled all of her energy crying or sucking. Now, that she has gained some weight we are good to go. We had to supplement with bottles/formula and fortify it so that she was getting extra calories. When you give her bottles lay her on her side on your lap and hold the bottle parallel to the ground. This means that she has to work a little and develop her sucking because it's going against gravity. As the bottle empties you can move her and the bottle so that it's perpendicular to the ground. If she isn't gaining weight and you need to fortify PM and I'll give you the formula/recipe. If you're willing to pump every 2-3 hours, you're a champ. Hang in there.

[lukeskristie]

I just want you to know I don't breast feed but my baby gets my breast milk only--and I exclusively pump and have since 4 days pp. I asked my ob for a script for Reglan a few weeks ago and it boosted my supply. However, the first 12 weeks you need to pump like you are BF--every 1.5 to 2 hours for the first few weeks than you can bump to 3 hour stretches--for the first 12 weeks. After that your supply will be established.

Know that during ovulation and AF, supply does decrease. It's just the human body. I hope I was able to offer hope.

[bellie]

Hang in there and good luck! I hope the new LC has better advice for you.

[tpleise]

The other posters have given good advice!

Just wanted to wish you luck!! Hopefully your little one will latch and the sns or other lc will have good advice. But pumping full time is the next best thing!
My first son had latch issues which we never overcame and I pumped full time for him for over 7 months (then my supply crashed because I was preggo with number 2) it's a hard road at first but if you are commited it is very rewarding knowing that you are still providing for your little one even if they can't get it 'straight from the tap'! :)