When formula is right. - Real Mum story on MoM

7 Comments

My newest daughter joined our family on 31 January. We were so happy with our new healthy baby and the doctors and midwives couldn’t have been more helpful and knowledgeable. All was right in our world and after an extended stay to work out a few breastfeeding hitches we were discharged happy and hopeful with a breast shield to our own home after 5 days. However at every weigh her weight was still dropping. Then after 4 days at home I was readmitted to hospital with Mastitis and a virus for four hourly IV antibiotics. The weight kept pouring off and this hospital didn’t offer 24 hour midwife coverage so from 10PM to 7am I was on my own. Another 3 days later we were discharged still breastfeeding with expressing to top up. But still the weight went down. Finally after trying a dairy free mum diet with no success the MCHN referred us to the GP for a medical review. By now we were on daily weighs. On day two the GP sought paediatric advice and we were put on formula with 10 minutes each side breast feeds to start. The next day we had gone up, for the first time in my daughters life she had gained weight. The relief was instant. It was the first time in 2 weeks I hadn’t cried when she was on the scales. We had tried everything, cups, shields, tubes and expressing. It was heart breaking watching her loose weight and have to go onto formula, but a week on she is still gaining weight, she is alert and happy and with our 10 minutes each side start one day we may get back to exclusive BF, but for now we are happy surviving and thriving. Sometimes formula is best so please remember not to judge, you don’t know the struggles each family go through to find their path. I’m just glad we made the switch in time and my daughter is ok.

Posted by Mary, 6th March 2017

7 Comments

- - mom81879 said
  - 11 Apr 2017
    9:07 am
My daughter in law was the same. For some reason she just wasn’t producing enough milk. I think no matter what, you just have to do whatever is best for you and baby. No judging here

- - mom206279 said
  - 20 Mar 2017
    6:02 am
You’re doing so well still breastfeeding at all!! The only thing that matters is your daughter is happy and healthy. Do whatever you gotta do.
- Mary replied
  
  21 Mar 2017 , 10:51 am
  Thank you and yes we are very lucky ????.
- - cherz said
  - 07 Mar 2017
    7:01 pm
After reading a very sad story on here about another poor mum ….I am so happy to hear things are finally looking up for you and bub. We all must realise that breast is not always best at times.
Wishing you and bub all the very best and may your sweet little daughter thrive in leaps and bounds. All the very best of wishes and love to ALL THE FAMILY .
- Mary replied
  
  08 Mar 2017 , 9:58 am
  Thank you. It is so sad that breast is best is all some mums here. Where is the Duty of care for the babies?
  - june11 replied
    
    10 Mar 2017 , 10:07 pm
    
    Mary, don’t be too disheartened if you have to switch to 100% formula. It isn’t your fault if your baby doesn’t gain weight with breastfeeding. Some Mums never have success. For some unknown reason, even if the Mum goes on a special diet it just doesn’t change the consistency or nutrition level at all.
    Be content that you are a fantastic Mum and does the best you can do for your beautiful baby.
  - Mary replied
    
    12 Mar 2017 , 5:02 pm
    
    It’s interesting but I have just been told women with polycystic ovaries are not usually able to breastfeed. Something that could have prevented a lot of heartache had I known.