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Couple of days back my wife delivered the baby through C-Section in her 40th week (39 week and 1 day) of pregnancy, after her induced labor failed. Doctor recommended the induced labor since she had gestational Diabetes.
She is trying to breast feed but unable to do so. So we are giving currently Similac for the baby.
Looks like her breast is very hard and has milk but the baby is not able to suck the milk.
We tried a manual breast pump and that is also not working.
My wife is really worried that she is not able to feed breast milk to the baby.
Please advice if you or your loved ones had this issue and how you overcame it.
Your wife should see a lactation consultant. Her ob/gyn should be able to recommend one, or she can call the hospital where she delivered and see if they can recommend one.
Is she already home from the hospital? I had no milk when I was in the hospital but once I was home with the baby it was different. I still wasn't able to breastfeed though...and if for some reason your wife can't, your baby will do fine with formula.
It can be hard for a newborn to latch on properly if the breast is very full and hard, can she try and squeeze some out with her hand first before feeding.
Best to go see a lactation consultant, they can watch a feed attempt and see if its poor latch or something like that. Has the baby been checked for tongue-tie?
I have breast fed three children. My milk didn't come in for any of them any sooner than the third day after birth. One of them not until the 4th day. I would pump, and get maybe a few drops. However, a baby's stomach is very, very small, like the size of a pea when they're first born. They really don't need a lot. Is the baby suckling? I would try putting the child to the breast every 2-3 hours. Talk to a lactation consultant; they can give a lot of guidance.
Breastfeeding the first few weeks, ESPECIALLY for the first baby can be really challengiing. Both mom and baby are learning. I really struggled with my first, but met with a lactation consultant a few times, and had some support from LLL (la Leche League). The first 6 weeks are HARD! Unless there are weight gain issues, I would suggest keep putting the baby on the breast, and try not to rely on formula and bottles if you both want to have success in breastfeeding. There are a lot of different things you can try to encourage a healthy breastfeeding relationship.
A lactation consultant can help a lot, and help give teqniques to try.
The hospital probably gave you a number to call if you need help. Call them! Don't feel embarrassed. Lots of babies have trouble in the beginning. Stop using a bottle. It is totally different from breastfeeding and you don't want the baby to get used to the bottle. Make that call!
I gave my daughter the bottle and she didn't get used to or prefer the bottle because of it. She took both and then she rejected the bottle completely until a few days ago. I want to have the option of using both.
But a new mom shouldn't feel the stress about feeding her baby or feel guilty about using a bottle. Do what's right for you.
As a mother who had a child who refused to breast feed --- and my situation is similar to your wife's as my labor was induced and I ended up with a C-section--- I would say, by all means, try to do what she can to make it work.
If it doesn't work, please tell your wife not to be hard on herself. Sometimes, breast feeding, despite one's best efforts, just doesn't work.
It's okay to give a bottle to a baby too. Lately, mothers who do not breastfeed are vilified. I don't get it.
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