establishing bf when milk comes in? - Breastfeeding - Parenting Forums

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MrGreedylookalike
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Posted: 07 March 2008 at 7:45pm \| IP Logged

my sis had a baby last night and she is struggling bf - the baby has got an infection and is on antibiotics but hasn't latched on to my sis so has had to have a tiny bit of formula out of a cup (not sure why they didn't try her on a bottle, perhaps so not to make bf harder?)

- the mw "milked" my sis to get the colostrum and she's had that too but my sis says she can't go thru that again as it was so painful - she said that she doesn't think they'll try her on the boob just yet (as she's not too well and really doesn't seem interested) - my sis wasn't 100% up for bf anyway and so I think this will put her off further

- I was wondering if it would be possible for her to try again in a few days when her milk comes in and she's feeling better or will it be too late? I just don't want her to regret not bf but she's in agony after the birth and very emotional and I think she's in shock and I obviously don't want to pressurise her at all..she'll be in hospital for at least 4 days so I suppose the mws will help her altho the bf mw was supposed to be visiting her and hadn't done all day..

anyone any experience of this? thanks

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Vickimom
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Posted: 07 March 2008 at 7:56pm \| IP Logged

It is possible to breast feed having not done so in the first day or so, it has to be as I have heard how many tales of women who just keep leaking, but haven't let the baby near their boobs. I would stress that she would be best to express milk as often as possible while lo isn't drinking, but they do give the milk in a cup because she wants to bf, it will make it harder if lo has had a bottle. However, for some (like me) it was easier, and I was happier to give up the idea of bf, and let the little ones haev teh bottle. Either way I hope she doesn't feel bad, and is at ease with her decision, and although bf is the best, it's not always best for that person.

MumSam
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Posted: 07 March 2008 at 8:20pm \| IP Logged

When Hayley was first born I breastfed her at first and then stopped for a few days as I was so badly blistered and then started again. There are women that breastfeed adopted babies that are a few weeks to a few months old so it must be possible. She could learn to gently hand express herself or see if the hospital or local mw's rent out dual breastpumps and she could express. The only thing about not giving breastmilk at first but giving formula instead is formula is a lot sweeter and easier to obtain and some babies get frustrated at the different taste of breastmilk and the fact they have to work for it. It depends on the baby and the mother and I guess also how determined she wants to be about bfing instead of bottle.

PurpleKangaroo
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Posted: 08 March 2008 at 5:00pm \| IP Logged

Well when i had emily i had a really hard time and had to have antibiotics for an infection. I didnt breast feed emily first of all because the hospital staff were really horrid and i wasn't offered any support. When i got home i had a really lovely good set of community midwives who did their best to support me but in my opinion t was too late for me and emily - emily would scream because it wasn't happening straight away like the bottle and we both would be crying at the end so i gave up on it as it was more stress than it was worth to be honest. But liek everyone has said i'm sure it can be done it jsut depends on the baby and how persistent she is? My advice would be although breast might be best for soem new mothers it jsut doesn't happen and can cause a lot of stress so soemtimes a bottle is a better option -it was for us anyways :) hows your sister and the little one now?

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MrGreedylookalike
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Posted: 08 March 2008 at 10:28pm \| IP Logged

thanks for the replies - I went to see my sister and Millie today and they both seemed much better altho Millie still hadn't managed to feed but my sis had expressed and fed her with a syringe...anyway my SIL turned up and Millie seemed hungry so she helped her position her and she fed for about 30 mins, I nearly cried, it was so lovely and my sis was delighted so hopefully it will be ok..thanks again!

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Posted: 08 March 2008 at 10:38pm \| IP Logged

Awww that is excellent news Greedy! Hope she really gets on well with bf. It will make a difference if she gets the right support. Sounds like you have a great SIL too.