And im looking for suggestions and advice to help me build up my milk supply...please read Saras Birth Story (http://www.amitymama.com/vb/showthread.php?t=258652) to get an idea of whats going on...I so much want to breastfeed her and I know its not too late to get things going, but shes NOT wanting my breast at all, even when i put formula on my nipples while trying to nurse, she only sucks hard enough to get the formula off...anyway TIA yall...

I'll be back to read the story and see if I have any advice in a bit...baby is waking. I just wanted to tell you congratulations and give you a hug for support!! :big hug:

I had a low milk supply for a whole bunch of reasons, probably, and there were a couple of things that helped lots. The hospital grade pump should help! I took an herbal supplement recommended by a lactation consultant called More Milk Plus...ordered it from Motherlove.org...it was great...tells you how often to take it and all of that on the bottle. I also used a supplemental nursing system and gave ds breastmilk through that. The milk comes out faster than the breast alone (especially if you have a low supply), but keeps baby stimulating the breast while getting extra milk. Once you start pumping, you could feed her what you pump through the SNS. i actually didn't have enough at one point to even get anything pumped to feed ds, and supplemented with my really precious best friend's milk...don't know if you have that option...

:big hug: not being able to feed my baby...one of the hardest things i've been through emotionally. Hope it all gets better soon!

Hi Wendy,

First of all, CONGRATULATIONS!!. I have been following your story on the expecting forum. I would suggest that you call La Leche League ASAP. Also, Dr. Jack Newman has a great book on breast-feeding and you can find a lot of his info on the internet. As far as I know, it is fundamentally important for Sarah to do all her sucking on your breasts. If you need to supplement, use a cup or a spoon with expressed breast milk or formula if needed. A SNS is probably a good option for you as it will help to build up your milk supply. Rest as much as you can, drink lots of fluids and you may want to consider using domperidone to increase your supply. Put Sarah to your breast as much as possible and, as you know, monitor her wet and poopy diapers closely.

Good luck and congratulations again,

Chris :hug:

Just wanted to say congratulations and welcome! I hope the nursing situation resolves, I dont have any advice that you arent already following or that hasnt already been suggested. Just hang in there!!!! :heart:

Thanks so much yall...

I know you want to nurse this babe - and you can! Few things: 1) keep working with LLL and/or a LC - recently, the younger sister of one of my dear friends was having difficulty nursing and she went to the LC DAILY for two weeks - do that if it is what it takes, and 2) nursing doesn't have to be all or none. You do not have to say, gosh, I'm not making enough so I can't nurse. Nurse as much as you can and supplement if needed until you build up your supply (which you will). Do not give a pacifier at all until you have a strong breastfeeding relationship. Have her use your nipple as a pacifier. Have her suck on you all the time. You will build a supply. And, let's imagine the unlikely scenario where you do not, you can still gain an enormous amount simply by letting her comfort nurse off of you. You as the pacifier.

I have another very dear friend who had a baby with a surrogate. My friend did not experience the pregnancy. She was never able to be the sole source of nutrition for her son, but she probably was able to provide half of his calories - she worked her butt off to stimulate milk. She pumped constantly, she put him to her breast constantly, etc. He's almost 18 months now and she's still nursing (and supplementing with donated milk). You can do this. yes, it is hard work, but if you want it, you can do it.

Good luck!!!!

She is beautiful! I'm so incredibly happy for you.

Welcome Wendy!!!!!!!!

:big hug: re: the nursing! You have gotten great advice here... :) Keep it up mama...

Thank you so much for the advice, I got my pump today and they also gave me an SNS (thats whats its called right?) so we will be getting busy soon lol....