Hi,

I have a 6 week old son and I both breastfeed and bottle feed him. Initially my milk supply was good but later it reduced and we had to start bottle feed. Now I feel my milk supply is becoming lower and lower. Also I now find that my son does not suck on my nipple much and drinks easily if we offer the bottle to him. On the advice of elders I eat jeera and also drink lots of liquids including milk. I also bought a breast pump but it did not fit me and I could not use it. As per the doc my son's growth is fine but I feel sad that despite all means I cannot breastfeed him. Did any of you give the bottle to such a young infant and if yes how has its growth been. I would like to know what are the problems/disadvantages that one faces if one bottlefeeds ones child. g replied. Dear Geetika,
Your milk supply will diminish as you stop breast feeding , this is only natural. I also wanted to recomend babycentre. com, it will give information and pictures on latching. You can also hand express your milk. Some info from the site...
Only 2 to 5 percent of women are physically incapable of producing enough milk. Almost all mothers go through a period of questioning whether their milk supply is adequate, especially when they begin breastfeeding. But according to many experts, true milk insufficiencies are rare. Many women think their milk supply is low when it is not. This can happen if you stop feeling a strong letdown reflex or lose the feeling of fullness in your breasts, or if milk stops leaking from your nipples — but these are actually natural, common signs that your body has adjusted to your baby's feeding requirements. A baby going through a growth spurt may also want more milk than usual, and some babies simply become more efficient nursers giving you the sense that you don't have enough milk. For most women, the real problem is delivery, not production. A mother's milk supply may decrease temporarily because of infrequent feedings brought on by nipple pain, a lethargic nurser, or a poor latch-on technique.
Your MIL nagging would not help either. I believe you are doing your best! Good Luck, let us know how you are doing.
Priscilla replied. Hi Geetika
Well i think you gave up too easily. Supply of your milk depends upon the demand from your baby. The more often and a longer period you feed your baby, the more the supply. I have fed my baby for 18 mons., with a combination of breastfeeding, expressing milk and introducing the fromula just once/twice a day after i resumed office.
Please do visit this site, babycentre.co.uk, for more info on breastfeeding problem solver.
All the Best
shabat replied. Hi Gitika,

I understand what u have been going thru. My daughter is now 4 mths. old and same thing happened with me, had a premature baby and she does not latched instead of my trying a lot.Now she is totally taking formula.

Which pump r u using.. Medela Electric pump is good and try to pump every 2hrs. for 20 min. Soak methi seeds in water and eat it.

Hope this will boost ur morale a bit. Heard that even if baby is not drinking, latch her to stimulate ur breasts.

all the best
shabat