Breastfeeding

Anyone's milk never fully come in? / Bf problems

Sorry this is long... this is literally the first time I've been able to post since LO was born! 

DD is 15 days old and I was planning on exclusively breastfeeding. Due to "output" issues, peditrician had us supplement her with formula in addition to my nursing every 2 hours starting on day three. While I have had some milk come in, when I pump it's only 25-30 ML. We are still having to supplement her because of this.

I'm super frusterated with the situation, as feeding is literally taking over an hour between nursing, burping, then formula feeding. I have seen multiple lactation consultants, who basically have said the "construction" of my breasts might be the problem (they have a wide space between them). I'm also wondering if the problem is because I have to use a nipple shield due to nipples that invert during nursing.

I'm trying to get through at least the first month, as I have debating giving up and only formula feeding a few times, then ending up hysterically upset due to guilt. The promise I made to myself was that the first month would be the best for LO to build antibodies, but I literally don't know if I can handle this anymore....

Any words of advice? Would you continue giving LO even a small amount of breast milk?

Re: Anyone's milk never fully come in? / Bf problems

  • Oh geez. I hate hearing these stories b/c I feel that your pedi was way out of line. Lots of women don't have their milk come in until as late as day 7. Mine didn't come in until day 4. Early supplementing causes problems for so many women, but it is possible to recover from it. The nipple shield shouldn't be an issue unless it's not properly adhered/you're not getting adequate suction from LO when she's on it. Do you need to keep FFing? Do you know that full time bfing at this point wouldn't be enough for her? I don't understand the "construction" issue (my breasts are wide set as well and it's been a complete non-issue), but my advice is this:

    1) Can you focus on bfing, pumping afterwards, and giving bm with just a TINY bit of formula that you cut back on over the next week?

    2) Try to focus on the short term goals, just like you said. Worry about getting through this next week. Commit to bfing around the clock and pumping afterward for just one more week and then re-evaluate.

    3) You don't need to feel guilty. You're not doing anything wrong regardless of what you decide to do. You care about your DD and are trying very hard to feed her. You're a great mommy for caring so much about these decisions!

    4) Yes, at this stage of life, I would have kept pumping (I started out EPing with DS in the NICU) even if it was only for one or two bottles per day with the rest formula. BUT that's me. It's a personal decision- GL! 

  • sgrlsgrl member

    I think what your LC is suggesting is that you might have hypoplastic breasts:

    https://www.babycenter.com/0_breastfeeding-and-underdeveloped-hypoplastic-breasts_8692.bc

     And as for your last question, yes, I would continue giving LO a small amount of breast milk. That's what I've been doing for the last seven months. Smile

    I know it's rough, and if you decide it's not worth it, it's totally understandable and you have NOTHING to feel guilty about. If you do decide to continue, do yourself a favor and let go of the guilt of having to supplement with formula. Be damn proud of yourself for sticking it out despite the problems you've had. One question I have is if you're pumping after nursing? That tells your body to make more milk. Your doctor might also be able to prescribe Reglan or Domperidone to help your supply (Reglan did nada for me but for some ladies it works wonders). 

    Best of luck to you with whatever you decide! 

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  • Super late to the party, but I wanted to share my experience.

    My milk never fully came in.  Or, more accurately, it never came in enough to meet 100% of my son's need.  I saw a highly respected physician who focuses on breastfeeding, and she thought that I also have a construction issue that limits output.

    It was exceptionally frustrating at first, because I felt like if I couldn't reach 100% I was a failure.  Then a series of mishaps and illnesses forced me to reevaulate.  I decided that the morning and nighttime feedings were the most important to me, and all of the rest was a bonus.  I allowed myself to cut out some of the most frustrating parts (using an SNS for every feeding and pumping every two hours, for example) and just focused on putting him to breast whenever possible.  After eight weeks, my supply increased to 14+ oz/day (up from 15ml/session), and I'm proud of that. 

    Long-a.s way of saying "Yes, I would continue giving LO even a small amount of breastmilk," because breastfeeding is about much more than transferring milk.  You may find that your supply increases as breastfeeding becomes more comfortable, but even if it doesn't, you're doing a great thing for both of you.

    I planned on EBF as well, and it still makes me sad that I can't, but I've made peace with supplementing.  I hope that you can find a happy medium too. 

    Good luck.  I know it's hard, but try to give yourself credit for everything that you've done so far.

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