Home Forums Breastfeeding Breastfeeding Baby 12 days old, do I use SNS

Hello everyone. Our baby girl was born 9/14/2007. I wasn't allowed to breast feed until she was 12 hours old. She had to take a bottle the first 12 hours and was so allergic to the formula they had to pump it all out of her stomach. Birthmother is a teenager so I hadn't told her I was adoptive breastfeeding. However, the pediatrician at the hospital was so glad I was... she is doing well.

My question is this. I have breastfed WITHOUT the SNS since then. Now my baby is at day 12, and at night she wants to nurse all night long....little flutter sips...all night. About 3 am I got up and put the SNS together with quickly thawed breastmilk I had stored and she drank about 1 oz and fell asleep.

My question is this...is this a sign she needs more from me? She had regained her birthweight at her first doctor's visit at 3 days old. I haven't weighed her since. Her next doctor visit is Monday, Oct 1 with the pediatrician in our home state, who has never seen adoptive breastfeeding in his thriving practice...according to his nurse.

She seems satisfied during the day, but at night wants to nurse and nap and gets mad if I get the breast out of her mouth.

I'm so nervous her needs are starting to outstrip my supply. However, I only have about 20 3 oz bags stored of my milk.

Will my breasts keep up or do I start the research for non milk formula or donated breast milk. She never empties my breasts...I always can squeeze out more sprays when she is finally done.

Advice is so welcome.....thanks in advance.

Kathleen

Kathleen I would say if she is satisfied at your breast and is gaining and thriving you have no need to supplement. All my babies liked to nurse through out the night. It sounds like she is a champion nurser and is doing fine. Sometimes with an upcoming growth spurt baby will step up the nursing to get ready for it.

She is getting two, sometimes three bm's a day, plus at least five or more wet diapers. If this was my bio baby, I wouldn't worry. I am just wondering if the dom/herbs will help me keep up with her increased needs.

Thanks, Lalle, for your encouragement. It is a blessing to this sleep deprived, though very "happy to have this baby" mother.

Then don't worry. Let your Mommy instincts take over. Honestly you will know it if she isn't getting enough. Right now trust your body. There isn't anyway of knowing if you will totally keep up with her needs with your supply for the entire time she is nursing, but for right now you are and there isn't any reason to think that it won't continue.
Hugs

Oh I should say that the supply demand principal still works even with adoptive breastfeeding. You are doing great by the way!!!