Struggling with breastfeeding

Hello! This popped up on my feed. I’m a December 23 baby mum. We had huge latch issues to begin with. He had a tongue tie and we are really lucky it was picked up day 5 and cut day 10. I had to do top ups, but managed to do this with breast milk as I had a massive supply. I used nipple shields to help him latch and we used them till I weaned him off them at 4 months. They can get a bad rap, but they are an amazing tool to support breastfeeding when used correctly. My biggest advice - push for a tongue function assessment. If you’re still under midwives they can refer or your health visitor. You should also have a local feeding team. Ask to speak to them ASAP. They can help you with latch. Also, see if there is a breastfeeding peer group local to you. I went one with NCT and it saved me in those first few weeks and found them even more supportive than the NHS ones, from my experience. If you want to wean off formula, make sure your supply doesn’t dip. This will mean pumping

To replace the feed. Also, make sure any bottle given is pace fed. Lucy Webber is a fantastic resource to support breastfeeding, she’s on Instagram. You also have the breastfeeding and lactation support group on Facebook. They can do latch checks online and offer support and guidance. Good luck! We had a really rocky journey, but my baby will be 1 in 2 weeks and he’s still EBF xx

Id maybe check with your health visitor to make sure baby is gaining weight, if they are you don’t need to use formula! Lots of people assume baby isn’t getting enough from your breastmilk and they are, it’s just harder to tell as there’s no way of measuring it

Get yourself an assessment with a lactation consultant asap if you can afford it. I second Lucy Webber, I’ve put her handle below. You can click on her site and request a video appointment (or use a local lactation consultant who can come around. Lucy is in Bristol) Despite what you think, you are more than likely already making enough and just need latching help (or of course tongue issues, mentioned above). There is no need to drink more etc (unless you feel thirsty and want to drink, but it won’t change your supply). The more your baby drinks from you, the more supply you make. Good luck!! I know it’s so tough in these early days but don’t give up. You’re already doing brilliantly for trying. https://www.instagram.com/lucywebberfeedingsupport_ibclc?igsh=MWc5czlueHg3Z3Zycg==

I would get the community midwife out to your house. Honestly unless they aren’t putting on weight, not having enough wet or dirty nappies etc then you shouldn’t be supplementing with formula. Supplementing is only going to reduce the amount of milk you produce. Instead I would opt to pump and give your LO the expressed milk in a bottle instead. If it is an issue with your supply then that’s when you should be supplementing. The first 6-8 weeks is tough going with breastfeeding but once that is over it’s amazing! If you ever need someone to talk to don’t hesitate to reach out as I have EBF two children. You have to remember the cluster feeding you think they aren’t getting enough as they are constantly attached to you but that’s not true. You have to remember their stomachs are so tiny and need to feed often.

Nipple shields for latching!

@Emily just read your response and it’s so like our own journey! My little girl is 10 days old. Tongue tie cut on day 5 and things much improved but still using shields. I’m trying to latch her without during the day but haven’t tried too hard as she goes n straight away with the shield. And I’m still a little sore. How did you find weaning off them?

@Rachel it’s so tough! But I’m glad it got sorted so quickly for you. I’m really lucky that I got support from a breastfeeding support worker who told me that using shields was fine and valid, so for the first couple of months I really didn’t try to wean him. He’s was putting on weight fine and my supply was good. For me, the sign I took that he was ready to wean off them was when he was sticking his tongue out and had better function. I started by taking the shield off mid feed and did some breast shaping to make sure he stayed latched. Took time but at 4 months he was completely off them! Their feeding habits change around that time too so it was all very natural. I think my advice is, don’t feel pressure. If it’s working, great. For me it really felt like it would have been breastfeed with shields or I wouldn’t have been breastfeeding at all and I know which I’d rather xx

I have had lots of challenges with breastfeeding. My baby is 8 days old and we're having to predominantly formula feed at the moment as she lost 10% of her birth weight within the first week. Don't feel bad about using formula- I am also hoping to wean off this but for now we need it to keep baby healthy. Definitely find your local feeding team and get to a session. I have discovered that, although my baby usually latches and sucks away, she isn't managing to extract and swallow much milk. These are some of the things we have been told to try: Responsive bottle feeding- let the baby suck the teat of the bottle a few times before allowing the milk into it. This way the baby will learn they need to suck a bit on the breast before milk arrives When latched, trickle some formula or expressed milk onto your nipple (takes a bit of practice!) So the baby is motivated to stay on the breast If baby is quite sleepy, give them a bit of formula (10mls) to give some energy for breastfeeding. Good luck!

Thanks all! Do you any of you recommend any Shields?

I personally found Medela the best. I got multiple pairs but make sure they are the right size for your nipples x

@Emily thank you. X