bottle fed to breast fed?

Jennifer - posted on 04/27/2010

Constipation from formula could be because of too much iron.

Mindy - posted on 04/27/2010

You can re-lactate. Here is a great link

http://www.ehow.com/how_4530048_re_lacta...

also, contact your local Le Leche League

Tanya - posted on 04/27/2010

Ericka, even if she is just leaking a little bit once in a while, successful breastfeeding can happen. Nursing stimulates milk supply so the more you nurse, the more milk your body makes.

Tanya - posted on 04/27/2010

call your local la leche league. It is very worth it to get your baby on breastmilk for sure. You may have to use a supplemental nursing system or hazel baker finger feeder as a supplementer. What you will do is fill the SNS with formula and tape the thin tube to your nipple. Then when your son nurses he will get both breastmilk and formula. Gradually you can wean him off the SNS. Your hospital may have a lactation consultant. Otherwise call La Leche league. THey are very nice and super helpful. Good luck. Will you let us all know how it goes?

Becca - posted on 04/27/2010

See if you can find a lactation consultant in your area to talk to you about relactating. You can probably find someone through La Leche League International (http://www.llli.org/).

Cassie - posted on 04/27/2010

It is possible to begin lactating again and breastfeed your son but it will take determination and time. As Jonna said, you need to stimulate your breasts to create the milk. Rather than pumping, the absolute BEST kick start for lactation is to latch your son directly onto your breast. His sucking is the best stimulation for milk production (much more efficient and stronger than a pump). You can then pump for an additional ten minutes or so on each side after your son attempts breastfeeding.

For awhile, until your milk production really picks up, you will still probably need to give your son some formula. Do this after he has attempted nursing though. But, do NOT wait until your son is starving to try to latch him on. Because you may not be producing any milk right now, you will only frustrate him by latching him on to your breast when there is no milk for him. You may want to devote a weekend to latching him on to each breast every hour. This should really stimulate your production.

It will most likely really help with the constipation and vomiting which does not occur often in breastfed babies. My daughter breastfed until she was 16 months old and has never experienced constipation. The only time she would spit up is when she would eat more than her tummy could handle in which she would then spit up the tiny bit of excess.

Good luck in whatever you decide to try!! :) This link can give you good tips on building your supply! http://www.llli.org/FAQ/increase.html

Ericka - posted on 04/27/2010

Hi Robin i tried to breast feed my baby boy who will be 4 weeks old soon when I was in the hospital too. And like your son he didn't latch on either and I tried a few other times but like you I got frustrated and upset so I just gave him the bottle too. When we left the hospital he was on similac advance but then I got him put on wic and they swapped him over to nestle goodstart. Now i am not sure about starting over with breastfeeding, if you are only producing a little every once in a while it may not be enough to satisfy your baby. Now as far as the constipation and vomiting i know that every baby goes through that and usually grows out of the vomiting after a few months. With the constipation i give my son some infant gas drops and that seems to help him and also rubbing his tummy helps too.



I hope that I was able to help you and I hope that all goes well for your family. Maybe I will hear from you soon

Jonna - posted on 04/27/2010

Start pumping to increase your milk supply. Pump for 10-15 min on each side every hour at first and as your supply builds you will be able to go longer between sessions and pump more milk each time. Some other beneficial things for your milk supply include taking a milk thissle supplemant and also fenugreek supplements will help to support breast milk supply. I would consult with a local lactation consultant (most hospitals have contact information for lactation consultants) and they should be able to give you the best advice about getting your little one to latch on. Even if you have trouble getting baby to latch on you can feed your breast milk from a bottle. Good Luck!