Thanks SOOOO much for this!!!!

I called the nearet consultant last night and she was AMAZING and gave me so much help and confidence and was better than ANY of the other ones I've spoken to (who were all helpful and lovely but just didn't have the answers or the expertise) she isn't that near me and recommended a lactation consultant and I'm paying one to come see me this evening (which she is SUPER amazing for agreeing to do when she said she was busy till Tuesday evening).

I'm going to tell my doctor to wait till I have given it another couple of weeks and then see how things are going. I think I'll pay the consultant to come back next week as I feel I've already lost the stuff I learnt yesterday on the phone. The woman was AMAZING though and made SOOOOO much sense. If I have to spend around £100 to stay breastfeeding I think its worth it as I would pay more on feeding her on formula overall. Besides it's very important to me. The advice the doctor gave me seems really stupid in light of everything I've learnt.

Also, they need to understand that they didn't give me ANY warning or notice of her weight being a problem until 7weeks !!!!!!!!! then they stress me out TWICE, first they give me 2 weeks to sort it out with NO advice on how and then they take one week away and give me 4 days and STRESS me out and give me TERRIBLE advice. I'm so angry. Howdid the situation get so dire for a newborn baby who they shoudl keep a tab on and help the mum if they're going to interfere and scare me like that. I am so angry. Livid. I suppose thats not good for me either but it's better than crying all day I reckon.

I'm feeling so happy and positive after my lactation consultant visted and know what I was doing wrong. (thinking baby was sleepy when she was hungry so not feeding her often enough) It's because of that STUPID book I read abotu children and sleep and I got paranoid abotu her not getting enough. SO I have learnt the lesson of listening to my instincts and my baby instead of books.



And know ways of making it better. (switch nursing, feeding on demand and more and pumping after each feed.)

Will post after my appt on Tuesday when I will be asking for more time. I don't think there'll be any miracles by then and have to be mentally prepared to face another knock but thank you SOOOOOO much girls for all the support. I may have caved SO much quicker and easier if it weren't for you guys.

OMG, what a trial for you!

I am so glad you got mad.... I reckon it's a sign you are starting to trust the boobs on your body a whole lots ore than the boobs with the medical degree!! I bet we were all mad on your behalf, hopping up and down in front of our screens going "stoopid effing drs, giving out bad advice and scaring the cr@p out of a new mum! arghhh!!"

I'm probably hormonal, but I'm getting all teary now. You are going to do this. I just KNOW you are. I'll be checking in for updates, but I feel it in my bones this one is going to be a happy ending

redpoppy - I'm so glad to hear you have some answers and advice that could make all the difference!!
My little guy was early and really sleepy too - I used to have to undress him to keep him awake and feeding. I hope this is the answer for you and his weight starts piling on!! LOTS of hugs!! You have really been through it!!

xx

Ahh, Poppy. What a rough ride you've both been having.

It's situations like yours that get me thinking. Formula really has undermined breastfeeding to a ridiculous degree. I really admire your determination, you'll be a BF champion on here in no time, telling women of your experiences and pushing them through.

To me, the advice you're getting is like telling an adult "Oh, so you're not gaining weight from your healthy, balanced diet? Well, you should be eating nothing but cakes!" Yes, formula has it's place but it's really no competitor. It's the less healthy way to add a few lbs to your baby's weight and that's the only "benefit". You're doing an excellent job! We've all made mistakes and had to learn a lot along the way... heck, I still have days where I need OH to settle Molly as I feel "empty" and she's fussing. Technically, I should keep feeding her but if I can get her to sleep a little while, while I "refill" then we're both happier. She's just very used to a fast and constant flow. Anyway, what I'm saying is... you're getting great advice but you're still finding your way. It's not always going to be the way that you think but you'll get there.

Be prepared for the doctor making you feel like a terrible mother, really... I can imagine the sort of things they will say. But, buy yourself some time and take the pressure off. Maybe your OH could have time off work? I find that sitting and laughing with OH through feeds saves my sanity during growth spurts, so it could help relax you through this difficult time. Also... thick, yummy, full fat milk hot chocolate! LUSH! Maybe buy a rate of Chocolate frijj? Even if it doesn't do anything for your supply in terms of quantity or quality... you'll be getting all the mood boosting benefits of chocolate.

Also, when baby has "finished" a feed... hand a express a bit and if the milk seems thin and watery, keep going. Only when it's thick, white and creamy is she getting her proper meal.

xxx

This has been really tough on you, but you're o the up now

The doctor is not the boss here, you are. (Especially if he's giving you bad advice)

Femme's right - you'll be here cheering other people on soon and giving them the benefit of your experience

I called the doctor today and told her about the lactation consultant and asked if I could come in a bit later and she sad yes. I now have a week from today.

My doctor has been really supportive (although she's obviously been stressing me out!) but she's just not as knowledgeable as GPs should be in regards to breastfeeding.

Aw RP, Im so so so glad you are feeling better about everything now. FE has it bang on with what she said up there ^

Just thought I'd update!

Went to get her weighted today and she's still gorwing ont he 2nd percentile along the graph!

I was SOOOOOo chuffed and my doctor, as supportive as she has been, wanted me to take it easy and I'm booked for another appt in two weeks.

I know it's not a HUGE progress considering she was born on the 50th but I was so scared she would have only gained another 20g or something small but she's gained 180 in 10 days! So I'm superchuffed that she's gained the minimum amount to stay on track even if the track isn't what it used to be.

The only thing is, the last two days she's become EXTREMELY fussy and cries for AGES inconsolably when I try and offer her the boob. I'm scared she wont gain enough weight but I am feeling a LOT more relaxed and confident now.

That is fabulous!!! Well done!! Sounds like you have feeding cracked now!! Really happy for you

ETA - sometimes Bethan has the odd fussy period where she seems to have a funny tummy or cant decide whether she wants to nurse or look at whats going on around her so she gets frustrated and cries. It generally passes, I hope this passes for you as well