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I'm having trouble establishing breastfeeding. My milk has come in, but my baby isn't getting enough nourishment from it. Ladies, what do you think is best? Should I avoid stressing myself and switch to formula? After feeding with formula, my baby falls asleep immediately and seems more comfortable. For context, my mother didn't produce milk at all, and she didn't experience any breast pain. My sister also only nursed for a short time and then switched to formula. It seems like our family just isn't very milk-producing 😬.
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Viktoriya
Having trouble with breastfeeding is not a hopeless situation. Try increasing the frequency of feedings, ensure the correct latch technique so that milk flows better and your baby receives more. Consult a breastfeeding specialist or a lactation consultant to rule out any issues with latch or sucking. Don't rush to switch to formula — this can reduce milk demand and make the situation worse. If it's very difficult, consider a temporary switch, but it's best to first identify and address any underlying causes of the feeding difficulties.
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Tatyana
How do you know that he's not getting enough to eat?
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Evryukova Kristina
And how did you decide that you're not full?
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Marishka
Why do you think your baby isn't getting enough to eat? The most direct indicator is weight gain. A baby can be constantly at the breast, but that doesn't necessarily mean they're feeding well. Don't stop breastfeeding, especially since your baby is latching on and feeding. We didn't manage to breastfeed at all — he was sucking but not swallowing. As a result, at just 2.5 weeks old, he hadn't gained any weight since birth. This led to severe jaundice, which might have resolved on its own with proper feeding, but in our case, it didn't. Eventually, we switched to formula. My baby had difficulty latching onto my breast; he only managed to suckle with a nipple shield, but he still didn't gain weight.
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Elena
I struggled for a long time with my son, but in the end, everything turned out well. My breastfeeding improved, and I was able to feed him properly.
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Evgeniya
Breastfeeding typically establishes within the first three months after the baby's birth. It's important to spend as much time as possible skin-to-skin with your little one and to feed immediately at the first cry. There are no such things as 'lactating' or 'non-lactating' moms—sometimes, moms feel anxious or unsettled, which can affect milk production. Try to stay calm, relaxed, and happy, and everything will fall into place.
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Natalya
So, what do you want? The formula is so sweet that it flows into the baby's mouth on its own, and there's no need to try. But here you are, worrying about breastfeeding, which requires effort to nourish your baby. If you wanted to breastfeed, you shouldn't have given formula from the start. Lactation develops based on demand and supply. If the baby suckles only a little, there will be very little milk. If you want to continue breastfeeding, you should stop giving formula and work on establishing it. Or, if you prefer, you can stop struggling and switch entirely to formula.
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yuliya
Sometimes, breastfeeding can be challenging. If this effort isn't right for you, it's okay to stop. If you'd like to continue, that's fine, but keep in mind that giving formula can make things a bit more complicated for you.
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Damira
Please don't overreact or get upset. During the first month, I was constantly holding my baby to my chest. If there's enough milk and the baby is feeding well, there's no reason to stop. Why do you assume he's not getting enough? Your mother and sister's experiences aren't the only ones—my mother didn't breastfeed either my brother or me. I breastfed my older child for over two years, and now, after six months, my little one is doing great with no issues. Just keep an eye on the weight gain.
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Alenka Kuznetsova
The first few weeks are very challenging for both you and your baby. If your baby isn't feeding enough, the only way to find out is by weighing them regularly to see how much they've gained over the month. Otherwise, they might just be a homebody. If you're in the postpartum period, I recommend consulting a breastfeeding specialist who can check how your baby is latching onto the breast and provide guidance. Many questions can be answered by a professional. It's true that babies who are fed formula tend to fall asleep more easily—formula is heavier than breast milk. To help stimulate your milk production, warm drinks and lactation teas can be very helpful. I'm not a hardcore breastfeeding advocate, but if your baby latches on well, your milk supply should regulate within a few days.
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Alenka Kuznetsova
Alenka Kuznetsova In any case, this is your choice—whether to mix feeding or breastfeed. The first month is the most challenging for both you and your baby. Do what feels most comfortable for you 👍 I started my older child on formula at 2 months (I couldn't continue breastfeeding due to exhaustion), and my younger child was breastfed until age 2. In my opinion, that's the best option—beneficial for the baby, convenient, and free for me 😁 Good luck! 🙏
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Sveta
First, you need to decide for yourself whether you truly want to breastfeed and if you're willing to fight for it. Keep in mind that the beginning can be challenging, and sometimes it might be easier to give formula — your baby sleeps, and you get a chance to rest. After that, you can proceed based on your decision. If you choose to breastfeed, it will improve over time. Giving formula unnecessarily isn't helpful — try to eliminate it completely and consistently offer your baby the breast when they're awake. Remember, demand creates supply.
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Tatyana
This is all nonsense. Keep trying. It may be difficult at first. Feed your baby and monitor their growth. If they are gaining weight, it means everything is going well.
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Darya Vladimirovna
Marishka I'm now concerned about jaundice. I was just discharged today after being under the phototherapy lamp for about a day. They advised me to monitor it closely. Also, my baby's weight has started to improve since they increased the feeding amount at the maternity hospital.
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Darya Vladimirovna
Marishka I want to get some breast pads. Maybe they'll work for her since the baby nurses intermittently.
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Darya Vladimirovna
Elena How long? Was there also a mixture involved? What kind of mixture was used, if any?
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Darya Vladimirovna
Marishka From what I understand, she wakes up frequently and falls asleep immediately after feeding.
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Marishka
Marishka If that's the case for you, it's just like my situation. Keep feeding him. The most important thing is to gain weight and have regular bowel movements. When we were hospitalized, our bilirubin levels already rose to 246 in the morning and 294 in the evening. We had to receive IV fluids and stay under two lamps. If you have enough milk and your baby is gaining weight on it, then there's no need to give formula. We were admitted to the hospital almost at 3 weeks old. Before that, I tried breastfeeding at home, thinking he was eating enough. But that wasn't the case 🫣. Now I have milk, but I’ve completely switched my son to formula. I don’t want to experiment with him. Let him grow and gain weight properly, even if that means using formula.
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Marishka
Marishka The mixture is harder for the baby to digest, which is why he falls asleep. This isn't a sign of anything concerning. Let's offer the breast frequently whenever he cries. Also, consider renting a scale at home to monitor whether he's gaining weight. If I had known it would be like this, I would have done the same, but we make do with what we have. Wishing you the best 🙏 Try to continue breastfeeding if you still have milk 🙏🙏🙏 Stay healthy, and may everything go well.
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Olya
My older child was breastfed. When I was away for a long time, my husband gave formula. Both breastfeeding and formula feeding are perfectly fine. Choose what feels most comfortable for you, not what others think.
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Yuliya
Girls, you're really doing an amazing job—this is tough, and it requires strength and perseverance. Keep fighting! If you have some milk but it's not enough, consider trying an electric breast pump and feeding from a bottle. If that still doesn't help, switching to formula might be the best option. Don't stress yourself or your baby. I started supplementing with formula after 2.5 weeks because my milk supply was decreasing, and nothing seemed to help—neither supplements nor other remedies. My baby wasn't getting enough. After introducing formula, my son became full and calm, and I felt more at ease. We use NAN Optipro 1, and everything is going well. To help with colic, Lactozar and Bobotik can be very helpful. That’s been our experience. But remember, every baby is different!
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