Feeding

My journey with my daughter was cut extremely short at 3 weeks because she wouldn’t gain weight and the midwives made me feel a failure! I really want to succeed this time! When can I start collecting colostrum? I’m 22 weeks so have plenty of time but want to be prepared! And help or advice is really appreciated, I’m incognito because I feel like I’ve let my daughter down and really don’t want to let my son down too! Nothing wrong with formula but this is something I really want to do

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Also any tips on what to eat/drink etc? I didn’t eat a great deal when I had my daughter, 2-3 tiny meals a day and I definitely didn’t drink enough as I’d had a c section and couldn’t get up all the time

Ask your midwife when she recommends collecting colostrum to be safe 😊. How often was your little girl feeding, and how long for? My little girl was only 5 lbs, so I had to start off by expressing as she wouldn't latch. I also had to wake her for feeds and try to keep her awake long enough to get enough milk.

She was feeding every 2-3 hours, she was 8.3 born and dropped to 7.5 which was scary. She latched perfect but wouldn’t gain

Babies are expected to lose up to 10% of their birth weight, at 8lb 3oz that would take you to 7lb 6oz, so it’s strange they would make you feel like a failure for that, especially when they should’ve immediately referred you to a lactation consultant!

They definitely didn’t refer me to anyone or mention that

https://www.facebook.com/share/14ybWek6Xo/?mibextid=wwXIfr This just popped up on my newsfeed! I’d highly recommend joining this group too and double checking any future advice you get x https://www.facebook.com/share/g/14xmhzYaNa/?mibextid=wwXIfr

Thankyou so much

I had a really tough time at the beginning of breastfeeding too and had a total meltdown in the hospital when my daughter was 3 days old and her jaundice levels kept getting higher and I was so determined to only breastfeed her but I didn’t realise that I wasn’t making enough milk at the beginning. Then I had to introduce formula as she wasn’t getting enough and she was combi fed (breast first then formula) for the first 2.5months and I was constantly either feeding or pumping to get my supply up. Drinking loots of water, eating well (supposedly couscous helps with milk supply?) but what I think helped most was fennel tea. I felt like that really helped increase my supply and it got to a point I was making enough milk that she just started being full with the breast and refused the bottle. It’s a long process so don’t be disheartened and try not to pressure yourself too much. A fed and healthy baby and mama is what’s most important ❤️

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