Re-lactating

Hey all,

I had my baby boy in July and 3 weeks after he was born I was admitted into hospital with gallstone related acute pancreatitis for 10 nights. During this time I was unable to pump and dump due to pain or being out of it on pain relief. I then got mastitis in hospital and was treated for this as well.

When I left hospital I was hardly producing much milk and little man wasn’t interested in breast feeding anymore as he had formula the whole time I was an inpatient. My milk finally dried up completely 2 weeks ago even though I was pumping regularly to add to his formula 😣

He’s 9 weeks old now and I would really like to try to re-lactate and pump milk to add to his formula so he’s still getting some breast milk.

Has anyone been successful with re-lactating again? If so, would you have any tips?

Just to add… I’m on a low fat diet (to prevent further gallbladder attacks) but having extra protein at present.

in our community

Giving up breast feeding

I’m really struggling with how I feel about feeding at the moment and I’d really appreciate hearing from other mums who have been in a similar position. ❤️

My little girl is 10 weeks old and I’ve been breastfeeding alongside formula top-ups since she was three weeks old due to advice from the paediatricians about her low birth weight. I’ve worked really hard at breastfeeding — feeding her, pumping, trying to increase my supply and constantly worrying about whether she’s getting enough. It’s now been confirmed that I have a genuinely low milk supply. The healthcare professional thinks that I may simply have a lower milk-producing capacity, and that there isn’t really anything I could have done differently to change that.

Logically, I know that this is not my fault and that I haven’t failed my baby. But emotionally, I’m finding it really difficult. I’ve spent the last couple of days doing lots of crying and feeling like I’ve somehow failed at something that I desperately wanted to do for her.

I’ve been advised that I could continue breastfeeding and topping her up, but honestly I’m finding the whole feeding/pumping/top-up cycle really difficult and I’m not sure it’s sustainable for me long-term. Part of me thinks I might actually be happier and less stressed if I switched fully to formula.

But my anxiety is making that decision incredibly difficult. I keep having thoughts like “what if I stop breastfeeding and something bad happens to her?” and specifically worrying about SIDS. I know logically that formula-fed babies are safe and that there are lots of other things that reduce the risk of SIDS, but my anxiety keeps telling me that if I stop breastfeeding, I’m somehow putting her at risk.

I think I’m looking for reassurance from mums who have either had low supply, combination fed, or decided to stop breastfeeding earlier than they originally planned.

Did anyone else feel this huge amount of guilt when they stopped? Did switching to formula make feeding and your mental health easier? And if you breastfed for a few weeks/months and then stopped, did you find it easier to come to terms with?

I’m not looking for judgement either way — I just feel really lost at the moment and would love to hear some honest experiences from other mums who have been through it. ❤️

SIDS

Hey lovelies, just after some advice, I know that babies shouldn’t sleep on their tummy or on their side as it can cause SIDS but my two week old loves sleeping on her side no matter how many times we put her on her back she always rolls over and is happy laid like that…. Anyone else’s babies been like this and been okay? Constantly turning her over and I feel awful because she’s so comfy but the anxiety kills me but I feel like as long as I’m watching her she will be okay? What’s everyone’s thought on this?

Baby sleeping alone

Hi ladies, I need some reassurance! My 7 month old baby sleeps alone in his own room (just next door to us) in his floor bed.
It seems everyone always comments about how surprised they are he sleeps alone and not with us? Is it that bad?
I feel like a bad mother now

Mom guilt

I cannot stand my 1 year old and I feel absolutely terrible, she screams, bites and fake coughs all of the time and I HATE it. Don’t get me wrong she’s so loved and taken care of and she NEVER goes without but I just need to relate to someone 🥺🤯

Is this normal? My first never did this

So glad I finally caught this on camera!! I’ve asked Google and states can sometimes be normal but never experienced it before my 1st wasn’t like this.
Since taking this video he has done it about 10 more times he does only seem to do it when his tired.

Did anyone else find it hard with a toddler and newborn? Crying for our toddler 😭

It was breaking my heart tonight to hear our first born cry for almost an hour for me because our newborn is heavily feeding. I don't think I ever cried this hard for him. I know we will find a balance and adjust, but damn... It hurt my heart so bad 😭😭 did anyone else struggle with this? Could be everything and the pain too