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Babies: 0 - 3 Months
When to quit trying to breast feed?
LO is now a week old. On Thur we discovered she had lost a lot of weight because my milk hadn't came in. We started LO on formula and I started pumping ever 2-3 hours for 10-20 min. I am getting barely anything and thinking its time to quit.
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Re: When to quit trying to breast feed?
Give it time! I was lucky if I got an ounce when he was that young. Your pump is not nearly as efficient at getting milk out as your LO is. Don't give up yet!!!!!
Don't give up! You weren't getting anything before and now you are getting a little...that is improvement. Seriously giving up BFing was the worst decision (babywise) that I had ever made. I am so thankful I was able to relactate.
Try to give it until your LO is one month old. If you aren't getting much then and want to give it up then you will know you gave it your best shot.
Are you EPing now? I am and like it. I may go back to BFing eventually, but for now EPing is working for us.
Have you tried any supplements? You can try fenugreek (3 capsules/3 times a day). It will make your pee and sweat smell like maple syrup, but it should help boost your supply. Also blessed thistle could help (3 capsules/3 times a day). If you don't want to take that many pills I've heard "More Milk Plus" is good too. Also try to eat oatmeal at least once a day.
Feel free to page me on here or PM me if you need to talk.
You need to put her on the breast ALL the time. EVERY day ALL day....the pump is not an effective way to get milk when your LO is this young. Contact an LC. If you give up, you cannot go back, so be sure you are ready to quit...otherwise you might regret it. It takes 3-5 weeks to really get it and feel good about it.
Supplement with formula if you have to get birth weight up but it's imperative to put your LO to breast. Pumping does not "show" you how much milk you are really making. Mouth to breast is the best stimulant for your milk to come in. Good luck.
Also, how much are you getting?
It is true a baby may be more effective, but I've pumped since day one and my supply is fine. It's all a matter of what you're comfortable with.
I don't disagree, but she didn't say anything about comfort. She asked when her milk will come in and baby's mouth is the best stimulant for that.
I see what you're saying. Some ladies on here (not saying you) will act like BFing is the only way to get your supply up and that pumping won't work. I just wanted to make sure to let her know EPing (usually) will work, but it does take a lot of work...as does EBFing.
Baby wont take to the breast anymore. So that is not an option. After 24 hours of pumping I got about 1/4 oz. if that.
Definitely make sure you are giving her that. If I were you I'd just give it a little more time.
Seriously it was the worst feeling a few days after I quit because I knew I didn't give it my best shot.
Obviously if it is having a substantial negative impact on your life you should not do it. I know sometimes stress can do that to me.
You could be, but since you are getting some milk that is a good sign.
Is your DH staying home with you for now. I try to stagger my pumping schedule so I can feed Henry. I usually am due to pump an hour before he eats.
GL with whatever you decide. Formula is definitely not bad for babies and she will thrive on whichever you give her.
This 100% correct. When I have tried to pump it just made me feel worse because I was not getting but maybe 1/4 ounce all day total. Scared the crap out of me and I talked to our pedi. She said that not all woman are conducive to pumping and it is no indication to how much baby is getting. Pump if you can and give her all that you pump. Make sure even if she isn't BF to have her near your breasts. It helps sitmulate the hormones that tells yours breast to produce milk. GL.
I totally agree with this... everyone does always say "baby at breast is the best way to increase supply," but in my case, baby at breast caused my supply to dramatically decrease because she was so ineffective, and the LC couldn't figure out why. The only way my supply has increased so far is through EPing. I'm hoping to go back to BFing after visiting an LC, but when your baby is not effective despite all of your efforts with docs and LCs to help them, EPing may work.
That said -- OP -- at one week old, I'd keep going, just make sure that there are plenty of wet diapers, and when you go to the doctor you should see that the baby is gaining weight. That way you know you are producing enough. If you don't see enough wet diapers, call your doc immediately.
Have you looked into a supplemental nursing system? Talk to an LC and see if you can get your LO back on the breast. You can supplement while stimulating your breasts so that they are being trained to produce for your LO.
BFing sucks the first month or so, then it gets easier. I had SO much trouble in the beginning with supply. Reglan helped but it made me wicked tired.
And if you feel bad about it, there's no shame in switching to formula!
To the OP - I was exactly where you were at when DD was 1 week old. She lost over a pound that first week and it scared the heck out of me. I hadn't realized that she wasn't getting enough from me and I had to start pumping/supplementing with formula/putting her on the breast every 2 hours.
It took me about 3 days to get more than 1/2 ounce (total....combining from both breasts) when pumping and I thought it would never happen. Then it took me another 4 - 6 days to get more than 1 ounce total.
My baby never took to the breast correctly and after multiple LC appointments, we decided to exclusively pump.
It was at about the 5 -6 week mark that I started to make enough milk to stop supplementing. I now pump 3 - 4 ounces every 3 hours. Sometimes it's more (early morning) sometimes it's less (late afternoon). I'm not making enough to build a stash, but I'm making enough to feed her.
I drank a ton of water, did yoga to try to relax and ate oatmeal.
It is a LOT of work and I still have days that I wish I could just EBF or give her formula all the time, but for the time being, I'm glad that I stuck with it. If you WANT to give LO breastmilk, you still can definitely do it and I wouldn't give up just yet. However, it if ends up causing you more stress than you can bear, don't let the guilt get you down. Do what you need to do to make you and your baby happy.
Good luck!
give it more time, i was on day 8 or 9 before my milk came in fully
if it were me i'd also have her nurse to help increase supply, as she is more efficient than a pump
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my LO lost over her 10% weight in the first three days and we were at the Dr's office every day until she started gaining-it was all because my milk was in, but I was not producing more then 2 maybe 3 oz a day. I had a LC come to our home 4 days PP and she weighed DD before and after I BF. She gained .2oz and the LC was very encouraging that this was a good sign.
it took me three weeks of pumping 20min after each BF and supplimenting with formula after each BF (I offered DD 2oz after each BF, and made sure DD spent 20-30min at each breast before the formula was offered). Sometimes DD would take the whole 2oz and sometimes she'd only take 3/4oz. This showed me that my supply varried but was never truly enough for me to EBF. But I didnt give up! I knew any amount of breast milk I could give DD was better then none at all.
I continued on this schedule for 8 weeks, then felt that both DD and I were ready to be done. It did make things 'harder' knowing I had to be somewhere I could pump after each feeding (at 6weeks, I stopped the pumping and just relied on my BM as it came naturally. this is when I started seeing DD take the most formula. but it was best for us)
I can realte to your feeling like all you do is pump and you're missing out on time with your LO. I had some serous emotional days over this same issue. Thank goodness for a DH who was home with me the whole time-if you dont have DH to be home with you, ask a friend or family member to stop by each day for support and help. OR start a schedule of pumping after breast feedings, so LO has time with you, then a bottle to put them so sleep and then you'll have the time to pump. (just an idea)
If BF is something that's been important to you, dont give up yet. Contact an LC, talk to your Dr about a perscription to help with milk supply, and remember whatever decission you make (BF or otherwise) if you go with your heart and your guts, you'll be doing what's best for you and your LO.
Good Luck! I truly wish you the best!
please keep trying if you're interested in BFing.... I had the same issues and am still able to BF my baby.
Its a hard few weeks at first... but it gets better!!!!!! Baby doesnt eat that much at that age... your milk production will pick up. The best thing you can do is keep nursing and only supplement with formula. Pumping will help you too, but your baby does the best job.