my baby is 5 1/2 weeks old but my breasts are still leaking i bottle fed at birth is it to late to breast or can i still do it
2007-04-02 14:47:24 · 9 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Newborn & Baby
Go for it, or pump. Baby might have gotten used to the ease of the bottle but its worth a try. And even if you pump, they'll prefer the sweetness (sugary) of the breastmilk.
2007-04-02 14:51:27 · answer #1 · answered by lillilou 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Oh you can definitley do it!!!
I've answered a lot of questions already...but have you tried to put the baby to the breast? It will take a long time to get the baby used to it, and you won't have a huge supply...but at each feeding, offer the breast. hold the baby close...and get her mouth open and then bring her close...if she refuses, move to other breast...and if she refuses, and is screaming, give her a little formula to ease her hunger, and then finish by trying to have her to the breast again. There are supplemental feeding systems...and the way to increase your supply is to drink A LOT of water...(64 oz) a day, and a lot of high fiber foods. Try to pump to stimulate your breasts to make more milk. (the more that is removed, the more you make)
Good luck!
2007-04-02 14:55:10 · answer #2 · answered by sincerelysarah117 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
you can always try ...BUT: there is a big difference between leaking milk and producing enough to feed a baby..it will take time and diligence...also, at nearly 6 weeks old...your baby wasnt born yesterday and she may get fed up with dealing with a breast over a bottle...bottles are a lot easier to get milk from than a breast....its certainly not going to hurt to try....
2007-04-02 17:14:38 · answer #3 · answered by motherhendoulas 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My baby's also five and a half weeks. Congratulations! You might find it tough to convince baby to take your nipple after all this time on the bottle. But it is definitely worth it. I would highly recommend you find a local La Leche League volunteer (www.llli.org) to give you some support. Also if you can talk to a lactation consultant it may be worth your time. Mine started me on a nipple shield, which can be tricky but convinced my son to latch on after a week of bottles. Now he's fully on breast milk and gaining really well! Good luck!
2007-04-02 15:15:29 · answer #4 · answered by mthompson828 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Breast feeding is supply and demand. Start by having your baby suckle every couple of hours. If your milk starts incresing, you can probably switch to breast feeding. Good luck, please try. And supplement with formula until your baby is able to get full off breast milk. You might also try a breast pump.It is so good for the baby, and you! (It decreases your risk of breast cancer, along with a ton of other benefits!)
2007-04-02 14:52:34 · answer #5 · answered by dolphincutie 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It is not too late, though you'll want to suppliment at first and then gradually cut out the suppliments if your goal is to exclusively breastfeed. Or pump & give your baby the benefits of breastmilk from a bottle.
2007-04-02 14:54:24 · answer #6 · answered by anahahamama 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
It appears you are still producing milk and thus are able to breastfeed. I breasfed all 4 of mine and I highly recommend it. There is some discomfort at first, but that is outweighed by the benefits.
2007-04-02 14:53:33 · answer #7 · answered by Mommyjr 1 · 2⤊ 0⤋
You should try, you might have to pump at first, but to be sure, I would check with a lactation consultant, the hospital where you delivered should be able to put you in touch with one. Good Luck.
2007-04-02 15:13:07 · answer #8 · answered by sweetpea22306 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
go ahead and try. that's awesome that you're still willing to try it!- good luck and i hope everything goes well. as long as there is still milk then there is still a chance. you may have to pump a little just to pick up the milk supply a little more
2007-04-02 14:53:54 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋