Can I still breastfeed?

Question

My daughter is 1 month old, is it too late to breastfeed? If not can I give her formula when we go out?

She eats anywhere from 6-8 onces of formula every 3-4 hours. Will I supply enough milk for her if she eats that much?

Hubby speaken here.

She finially gave it a try, I have been on her for 8-9 months now there is so many benifits in brestfeeding such as anti-bodies and the simple fact that she would burn at least 500 cal a day it's still her choice

She has been trying now for the last 20 min or so she is saying how it hurts and she thinks that the baby may not be latched on correctly

many thanks for your help

Answer 1

If your truly want to get your baby back to the breast good for you!!!

You'd do best do get bottles out of the picture and supplement her at the breast with a SNS or Lact-Aid supplementer.

Here is a good info source on the subject:
http://www.kellymom.com/bf/supply/relactation.html
http://www.kellymom.com/bf/supply/decrease-formula.html

Answer 2

It is not too late to breastfeed.

Your first step is to call the lactation consultants at the hospital where you delivered. Make sure that they are IBC (board certified.) If you don't have any LCs near you, you might want to contact your local La Leche League, they have support groups and help for free.

You need to try to put baby to the breast, be patient with the baby and realize that latching on and learning how to nurse from the breast is different from the bottle. It's best to latch baby on when they aren't too hungry so they don't get frustrated. Try and pump every couple hours to build up your supply as well.
Have someone pick up the herb Fenugreek, it's a natural milk stimulant, you can get it at health food store or from online. Eat oatmeal and drink water.

Be patient, know that this is a long process and might take a week or two to work. In the mean time, you can look into using a nursing aid (ask the lactation consultants.) You want to gradually reduce their formula as your supply goes up. And YES, you will make enough for her after a few days, have faith in your body.

Don't be afraid of nursing when you go out, it's normal, it's natural, and people really don't care.

Good for you! Way to go! Just be stubborn and patient and you'll be making enough in no time.

Edit to add:
Check out the link below on how to latch, if it hurts more than a couple days, the latch is wrong. I also suggest running to the bookstore or library and picking up The Nursing Mother's Companion Guide as it has a TON of detailed how to information and troubleshooting.

Answer 3

It's not too late but you may have a little harder time getting your milk supply back up. Even if you don't feel like you have anything in your breasts start letting her nurse, if she has emptied you of everything that you have and she is still acting hungry then give her a bottle, but just be aware if she is acting more and more satisfied with time because this will be a sign that your milk is replenishing.
If you are wanting give her a bottle when you go out then as soon as you get back in and also before you leave you should try to pump. The only reason being is that since you are gong to be trying to get your milk come back you need to be consistant with the milk excretion action. Your milk is supply and demand. It will only supply as it is needed. If it is not used or rarely the amount that your body will produce isn't that much.
Good luck and congratulations on your baby.

Answer 4

Have you breastfed at all in the past month? You might be able to try by pumping or getting her to latch on, then your body will try to produce milk. Eventually with pumping and feeding you should be able to increase a supply. Of course you can give formula. I had to go back to work (part time) after 3 weeks and I was nursing. My husband gave him a bottle of formula while I was gone. It works just fine.

Answer 5

It is physically possible. It would be called "re-lactating".

You should seek out some assistance from a lactation consultant (conrtact your area hosital) or go online and read up:
www.llli.org
or
kellymom.com

I know a mother who adopted babies and breastfed. She initiated the process with a nursing supplementer; ( you wear a container of formula with a thin tube that runs alone the breast and nipple and provides formula when the baby suckles at the breast). It takes persistence and determination; but you can do it.

Answer 6

It's not too late to try but it will be difficult. You will have to nurse her quite frequently. I wouldn't give up though. You can give her formula but that might interfere with your milk production, you should instead try pumping bottles.

Answer 7

No it's not too late just try it, and yes you can give her formula when you go out.

Answer 8

If you still have milk of course you can. You can also breas tand bottle feed bottle in the day and breast at night.

Answer 9

not sure, but another way to increase your supply is drinking lots of water. There's also a pill (Reglan or something). It is made for some type of digestive illness and will make you sleepy. I tried using it and couldn't.

Answer 10

I'm confused. If your daughter is 1 month old and you want to breastfeed, isn't your milk dried up. I'm not sure if it's too late. Don't you give your daughter formula now so why wouldn't you be able to give it to her when you go out? I need more details to understand what you're trying to ask.