Feeling defeated😔

If you are still on the antibiotics it could be affecting your supply, you might bounce back after

@Emmo I really hope! I am drinking a tea for milk supply right now!

If she is getting impatient to stimulate milk flow, you could try massaging your breast before getting her to latch... just until your supply bounces back! With the bottle they don't have to stimulate milk flow so she might just be getting used to that and just needs time to readjust Have you got any breastfeeding support groups near you? I would recommend going along to one and they can give personalised advice to increase supply again!

10 days after giving birth I was taken into hospital with Sepsis. I didn’t want to take my baby into hospital with me so he stayed at home with dad and was put onto formula. When I came home and was better I tried breast feeding but I was empty. I pumped for weeks and hardly anything was coming out. I spoke to my HV about it and the student that was with her said “just keep going, the saliva will stimulate milk the more you do it” I didn’t really believe it would work but I gave it a good go. It took a while but my milk came back!! And lots of it, I did it as much as I could, I used my nipple as a dummy, for comfort, when he was falling asleep and for meals (also gave bottles to make sure he was drinking enough). Now I have so much milk and am able to express to store in the freezer. When I came out of hospital I was adamant that my breast feeding journey was over (I was gutted) but that one bit of advice from the student HV and I’m back at it feeling like Daisy the Cow! 🩵

Did the doctor say to stop breast feeding while on antibiotics? I have been on four courses since giving birth due to various issues but have been advised to continue with breast feeding, most are safe and they can tweek the antibiotics to suit breastfeeding. I had the same issue though when I was feeding, i had mastitis too and felt like supply had dropped but back to normal now. Just remember to take a probiotic to help restore your digestion. X

@Sadie Maddox Wow! So happy it worked for you! I will try comforting her with my breast always too, just hope I will be able to as I am so much on the go because of my toddler but you gave me hope

@Mikaila Hi yes, thanks for reminding me about probiotics! Yes, unfortunately I am resistant against the usual antibiotics so got prescribed one that often causes side effects and is not safe for babies

How old is your little one? If you have continued pumping the usual times you’d feed, then your supply shouldn’t drop. If the antibiotics are reducing your supply, just continue what you’re doing & once you’ve finished them, keep pumping and it’ll keep stimulating your supply. Your BF (depending how old little one is) should be fully established and if your supply was there beforehand, you can get it back. It will just take work. Definitely don’t leave baby hungry if they’re not able to feed enough from the breast, but still offer breast, and then give formula afterwards like you’ve been doing. Hopefully you’ll get back to the point where you can EBF again. If for whatever reason you can’t, don’t beat yourself up about it. You’ve done amazing & should be proud. I’m hopeful though that you can get your supply back to where it was 😊

@Jade Thank you so much. She is 15 weeks. Difficult to believe my supply will come back as my breasts feel so empty and light but yesterday I could still pump. Will keep trying, thank!

@Daria send a message to the BF network on fb, they’re really good & will be able to help support you if it’s something you wish to continue 😊

@Daria literally just keep trying at every opportunity you have. It must be hard having a toddler as well as my little one is my only child. You may find your antibiotics may be reducing the supply also! Give it time and you’ll be back at it in no time!🩷

If you really want to continue, just keep giving her the breast. I read about grandmothers in South Sudan relactating to feed malnourished children. We’re talking decades since these women were breastfeeding, yet they’re able to relactate! No idea how easy, but I would say look into it and keep trying if you’re really keen to continue. Good luck mama ❤️

Hey, I know you wrote this 2 days ago but basically keep putting babba on the breast, try when they are sleepy. Loads of skin to skin too, you can also power pump too which will help When feeding on one side. Put the pump on the other. It could just be that she is getting impatient as milk in a bottle comes out straight away but from the breast, she has to work for it. Make sure you are pace feeding with the bottle. You can also try having a bit of formula then giving the breast so baby isn't getting so annoyed to start with x