MSE Pregnancy Club 28

FreddieFrugal

We had to go to the hospital overnight and through til now because his weight had dropped by over 15%. She tried expressing using a pump but was getting very little out of one side and practically none from the other.

So he's obviously not been getting anywhere near enough milk. We had to bottle feed him formula - luckily his weight did increase and his blood results were ok so we were able to come home.

But it was an awful experience - she's going to be visited by a breastfeeding consultant and in the hospital it was suggested that she just have several days of skin to skin and latching to stimulate her milk production...if she wants to try and continue with breastfeeding or do expressing.

But she was so upset that he was in that state, after all the effort she's put in, feeding constantly around the clock. She feels like completely giving up and just doing bottle feeding.

For now at least we've got some formula as he needs to have something - his weight would be dangerously low otherwise.

I know the most important thing is that he feeds. Whatever that is. But I am upset about it. I'm hoping she will try to follow the suggestions for building her milk supply - with the safety net of topping up with formula. Even if it doesn't work out I hope we can try.

I hope you're all well

Beckyy

Sorry to hear about your last couple of days Freddie, I'm glad baby Fred is putting some weight on now.

It must be incredibly difficult when you're doing everything you can but feeling like you're not getting anywhere. If OH decides to stick with it I hope lots on skin on skin helps with the formula as a good safety net.

Breast Compression was something I read about which can help to make sure baby gets as much as possible from the breast and build supply when feeding, I'm not sure if it's something appropriate or not which might help?
http://breastfeeding.support/what-is-breast-compression/
http://www.lowmilksupply.org/compression.shtml

Hoping you're getting some sleep and keeping well yourself too.

pink_petal

Hi all

We've been away for a few days on a mini babymoon. It was brilliant and so relaxing. Think I'll need another one before the baby is actually born though! The builders have been in while we were away and our loft conversion is really taking shape, light at the end of the tunnel!

Just trying to catch up on all the goings on...hope everyone is well?

Beckyy, really hope something happens soon!

Freddie, really, really hope things get better for Mrs Freddie soon. I'm really desperate to breast feed but hear these kinds of stories all the time. Keeping everything crossed that the breastfeeding person can help and the wee man starts to put on some weight.

Kynthia - I spent ages looking for pastel colours for our nursery too. Clair de Lune do some and this site that a fried tagged in in on FB earlier http://www.me-baby.co.uk/52-one-size-bedding-sets I've also been looking on etsy for pastel cushions and cot mobiles - but the mobile I'm in love with is over £200 which is ridiculous. I fear OH would divorce me if I even considered it!

Kynthia

Freddie I'm sorry you're having trouble at the moment. Please don't equate what your partner can express with what your baby is getting from the breast. Many women who have well fed babies struggle to express as it's not the same as how a baby does it. Breast feeding can be very hard in the early weeks as it's designed for a time when the woman would be at home, feed on demand and often during the night, sleep when the baby sleeps, and have female friends/family come each day to do everything else (cook, clean and care for the other children) so she can sleep, rest and do skin to skin. However on our modern culture we kind of expect to get up and carry on. It's also not uncommon fir breast fed babies to drop more than the 10% they mention nowadays. I hope it works out for the best whatever happens and that your partner gets really good support.

euronorris

Freddie, a few things:

Pumping output is not a good reflection of milk supply. Even ladies with a big supply can have issues expressing milk.
IF she wants to keep up with breastfeeding, it'll be best to start baby off on breast, finish with bottle and then try to pump. Even if nothing is expressed, she'll still be telling her body to produce more milk which us important.
Lots of skin to skin is good advice
As difficult as it is, staying upbeat is important too. Getting stressed has a big impact on milk production and letdown.
Give her lots of reassurance. I was an emotional mess right after birth.
You could try lactation cookies or porridge (anything with oats) to help with milk production. It's not proven, but lots swear by it and I always notice an increase.
There is a Facebook group that us very supportive and has trained peer supporters on there. Has been a great help for me. It's called 'can I breastfeed in it? Breastfeeding support'.

Huge hugs for her xx

euronorris

A helpful website: http://milkmatters.org.uk/

euronorris

We have the chicco next 2 me crib and love it. Mia sleeps well in it at night, and it was perfect after a c section.

She'll only nap in our arms during the day though. When we try to put her down she instantly wakes up! Drives me nuts but I've come to accept it for now. It's only temporary.

pink_petal

Glad to hear everyone's positive experiences of the next to me cribs, I have that on my list to get as I'm not a fan of moses baskets. We're going to go for the Snuzpod though as it's a bit smaller and we have drawers under the bed so the feet of the chicco one wouldn't fit. It's a bit more expensive (typically!) but I think my brother is going to buy it for us as a gift...if he remembers!!

Beckyy

The next to me cribs look fantastic, considering getting one if BFing works as I think it must make life much easier.

MW wasn't able to do the sweep today, cervix is still closed and baby isn't engaged either, head is still free. 40+5 now! I have another booked for early next week and induction booked for the end of next week if all else fails. They would have liked it to be booked earlier but I wanted to leave it for as long as I could.

ThinkPink

Hope all is going well Freddie and hope that if Mrs Freddie decides to continue with bf that she