breastfeeding problem?
I have an 8 month old baby girl, and recently I have had to switch from exclusively breastfeeding to breast feeding and formula 3x a day. My problem is, that she now doesn’t want to nurse. She keeps getting frustrated, and I don’t know what to do. She goes after my nipple and so I know that she wants it, but its almost like she has forgot how to get my milk out. And now I am losing my milk supply. To the point where, I can’t even pump an ounce out of both breasts. ( Though I have never had very much luck pumping. I don’t know if I am not doing it right, or what.) I feel so discouraged, and I don’t want to stop nursing, I actually planned on extended-breastfeeding, but then a new pediatrician made it seem to me that my daughter wasn’t getting enough food because she was slightly underweight.(By today’s standards I believe.) Does anybody have an suggestions as to what I can do? I think that I am going to stop formula altogether because I don’t want her to have nipple confusion.
First of all, find a new ped, that supports breastfeeding. Breast fed babies gain weight slower than bottle fed babies.
She may not need supplementing. Plus at this age she has probably started solids anyway. If you ‘ve made it this far without supplementing, why start now?
Cut down on formula slowly, until you build back up your supply. Also, at eight months she doesn’t need a bottle. Give it to her in a cup, with a straw. This way she won’t have nipple confusion. Dip the straw in the formula, and cover the top end with your finger. Put it in the baby’s mouth, and uncover the top. The liquid will drop in her mouth, and she’ll learn that she can get milk from in there. After a few trys she’ll start to drink on her own from the straw.
Everytime you give formula, pump for 10 minutes on each side. You can pump after every feeding if you have the time too. This will increase your supply. Don’t worry if nothing comes out. Just keep pumping. You’re telling your body to produce more milk this way. Also, make sure you have a good pump. Renting a hospital grade electric double pump, is probably best.
About latching, I’m sure she hasn’t forgotten how to latch at 8 months. She may just be frustrated that the milk isn’t coming fast enough. Be patient, and she will too. Don’t stress. Spend as much time with her as possible. Carry her in a sling, sleep with her, take a warm bath with her, and always have your breast available to her.
LLL recommends to stay in bed with the baby for 24 hours, as a cure to latching and milk supply problems. I did it, and it works.
You can do this. Don’t let anyone convince you otherwise. Breastfeeding may be natural, but it’s not easy. It takes work. And you WILL succeed. Why wouldn’t you?
Good luck to you, and congratulations on being so determined. Your little girl is very lucky, that she’s going to get all that precious breast milk. 