Hi

I had a c-section and we were alone after delivery. My baby was still learning to latch on but the supply was not enough. He lost 12 ounces in couple of days and our paediatrician recommended to supplement with bottlefeed.

for a week I tried to breast feed as much as possible but he used to fall asleep often and my c-section was also not allowing me to try very hard. He is 3 weeks old now but does not latch on continuosly.

I am using a breast pump and pumping but also trying to weed him out of the bottle habit..

Sometimes he is NOT content with my expressed qty and we still are forced to supplement bottle.

Can someone please suggest some tips how to make the exclusive breast feeding work?

Thanks

KP KP replied. Hi to all,

Thank u so much for your replies. I'll try my best.

KP


Mom11 replied. Hi KP,
I too had c-section and my son never latched for some reason from day 1. I started pumping from Day1 and still pumping exclusively. My baby is now 9 months old.

You can beastfeed by pumping. If your baby is falling asleep, I suggest you pump the remaining breastmilk immediately.

In the begining pump/nurse every 2 hrs. This will increase your milk supply too.
You can still give the benefits of breastmilk to your baby by pumping.

Good luck
Mom11 Prachi replied. hi KP,

hey hang on there..keep trying....dnt give him the bottle, tat will reduce your milk suppy, bcoz the milk production is based on demand and supply..the more your baby sucks, the more you will produce milk..dont go on for more than 4 hrs without breastfeeding...even at nite...just let him suck...he may be cranky after the feeding, jst bcoz he may want to suck more, most babies njoy the sucking part, even if no milk comes in...let him suck as long as he wishes to...if u feel he is still hungry, try gvng him formula milk( i assume u gv him tat in the bottle)by a bowl and spoon...u have bajri porridge with jaggery and a little ghee and ajwain in the morngs to increase milk production. All the best...be patient...dnt fret too much, it affects the supply...
bye,
Prachi momtwiceover replied. Hi, KP, I had the same problem during my first baby. Just be patient, keep putting the baby to your breast as and when he is hungry. Make sure he is trying to latch on to the whole aerola,i.e not just the nipple. Once his mouth has the whole aerola then you have to keep one hand around it and press it with your fingers so that it helps in getting the milk out. If you keep trying then in another week or two the baby will get the hang of it. If he starts to sleep then just tap lighly on his chin or ankle to wake him, he will continue to suck even with eyes closed. None of the babies know how to latch on some learn quickly others need time. You just have to be patient and spend time on this as if this is the only job forget other things. This is how i handled during my second baby and it was smooth and quick. All the best! rashpal replied. I too, had a C section and my baby was having a hard time latching. My baby lost too much weight as well, but we did not bottle feed. Instead, and I don't know where you are, we used a nipple shield. What it is is a plastic piece that goes over your nipple, making your nipple appear bigger. It just makes it easier for the baby to put his mouth on the nipple. My baby was able to suck the milk out properly and after a few weeks didn't need it anymore. If you can get one of these, I would try it. Also, if the baby is falling asleep, take his clothes off (not diaper) and blow air at him; this should keep him awake long enough to eat.