2wk Old - Confused

[CompletelyInsane]

My daughter is 2wks today! She is my 2nd. With my first I had what I believed to be supply issues (as well as lack of BF info.) and ended up pumping her bottles for 7mons. I really would like to suceed this time!!
She was born weighing 8lbs, 13oz & by the time we left the hospital she weighed 7lbs, 13oz and had a mild case of jaundice. Her doctor scheduled us for a 2day check-up. During that time I was really concerned she wasn't getting enough milk, so I supplimented 4 to 6oz of formula and started pumping and giving her what pumped after each nursing. At her check-up he she weighed 8lbs. He told me that he really didn't feel that I should be giving her any formula (wasn't enough to help w/weigh gain). Now, she likes the bottles! I feed her for ever, maybe an hour switching between breast. Afterwards I still pump 1 to 2oz's. I don't know if she is getting what she needs, should I just stop everything and just breastfeed only. If I do that will my milk supply decrease because she doesn't seem to be an effective eater? I have scale and after an 1hr feeding she only takes around an 1/2oz to 1oz. Her current weight is 8lbs, 8oz.
I have scheduled an appt w/lact cons for next week, but she has mentioned a nipple shield and everything I have read says not to use one?
Plus, these consultants didn't help me at all with my 1st child. Seems like what I have read on internet is more helpful. Started More Milk Plus 1wk ago!

[Nipple_nectar]

Hello and welcome to the boards! Congrats on your new baby and the decision to BF! First of all, take a deep breath and relax:) I don't think you need the formula, you may not even need the More milk plus, it is hard to tell at this point. You really need to focus on trusting your body, it was designed to do this!

Yes, yes, yes~ do try and breastfeed only. Your baby has a very tiny stomach and she can only tolerate small amounts right now, so 1/2 to 1 oz. may be just suited for her.

Using bottles can be very confusing, it is much easier to get milk from an artificial nipple so to hear your baby prefers the bottle would not surprise me~ www.breastfeeding.com/all_about/all_about_confusion.html

We are always here and will be glad to help you smooth out all the wrinkles and I agree completely with you, the women on this site know more than any BFing professional! You are in good hands:)

Just remember my mantra: trust the bewbie!

[Bumpy]

Do you know why they said to use a nipple sheild, it didn't seem like you need one by what you said. I used one and then I had to wean her from it. So that may be an extra step you don't have to do if you don't start the sheild.
and I totally agree with nipple necter, she is always a great help

[Amy_G_]

how's her continued weight gain?
how's her wet an poopy diapers? how many, what color is the poop?
is she satisfied ever even if for a short time? Breastmilk digests very fast, and her tummy is the size of her fist, so she can only hold so much.
when you weigh her, is she wearing the same exact thing she was wearing when she started her feeding--including diaper?
do you nurse on one side or on both sides per feeding?
how many bottles did she get?
how is her latch, bottles tend to make for a lazy latching breastfed baby and you may have to work on her latch.
are your nipples sore?
a nipple shield might be recommended if she's having trouble latching and wants a silicone nipple like the bottles have. but if you can avoid that at all costs, then avoid it.
It really sounds like you have a pretty good handle on things, but you don't really trust your boobs nor your supply.
answer some questions and we'll see if we can add some more insight that will help her nurse more efficiently and you be more confident in your breastfeeding.

[CompletelyInsane]

I really appreciate the help!
I quit keeping up w/poop's & pee's. Yes, they are yellow & her diapers are usually very wet w/pee.
I weigh her naked. I nurse both sides always. She gets a bottle after every feeding.
I believe her latch is good for a very short time, she gets sleepy. Always falls asleep and then when I try to remove her she wakes up mad & crazy w/hunger signs. I haven't had any problems w/latching that I am aware of. No sore nipples! The consultant said to try nipple shields before my appt next week, but I think it will maybe only cause more problems.

[Amy_G_]

If she gets a bottle after every feeding, then her sucking ability at the breast will not improve. I would honestly ditch the bottles after feeding and use a supplemental nursing system to give any supplements at the breast. that will mean she gets more milk while she's sucking, and she's learning to nurse more efficiently at the breast at the same time.

read up on frequent nursing
http://www.kellymom.com/bf/normal/frequent-nursing.html

still count diapers, cause you need to have an idea of frequency. so if you make a change--like not using bottles, supplemental nursing system, or what have you--you need to know what the norm is to compare.

http://www.kellymom.com/bf/supply/low-supply.html

I'm off to parent teacher conferences in a few minutes, so i'll try to collect some thoughts and get back to you more later.


Use breast compressions to ensure the milk flow from one side stays high. Make sure she's nursing a long time on the first side before you switch her, like at least 20 minutes. then go back to the first side. Ideally you'd just keep switching back and forth, rather than reaching for the bottle or the pump.

A two week old often really really really likes to nurse. They seem to think that the only thing in life is to suck. this ensures you have a high milk supply.

when you give a bottle of milk, how much does she take? A bottle nipple works TOTALLY different than a breast, so giving a bottle will teach her to suck worse and worse at the breast. With a bottle, baby holds their tongue in a different place, they don't draw the nipple into their mouths deeply enough, and the milk will flow out with very minimal effort.

[Amy_G_]

Nipple shields often interfere with good milk intake and emptying of the breasts, so I would really not want to try them at this point.

breast compression info
http://www.kellymom.com/newman/15breast_compression.html