Home Forums Induced Lactation aka Adoptive Breastfeeding Medical Interventions to Induce Lactation/Increase Milk Supply We're back with baby!!!!

Hi
We got back last night after two weeks in Arizona. Baby girl was born after 17-hours of labor and weighed 6 lbs 5 oz. I have not told the birthmother I'm breastfeeding due to some psychological issues that were going on. So I started with the hospital bottle.

During the 17-hours of labor I couldn't really pump and I had just been pumping since the week before. Then my body really dried up from the heat in Arizona. My lips cracked instantly and we could barely drink enough water fast enough to rehydrate.

So when I received the baby and stayed in the hotel, waiting for permission to cross the state border, I began pumping again and breastfeeding her.

At first, she did great and freely switched from the bottle to my breasts. I had to use the bottle when we went out for appointments and visits. My milk slowly but surely came back. I'm up to 1 - 1 1/2 ounces every pumping now.

But here I am back home, baby is 12 days old now, and she fusses at the breast. Pops on and off. Latches well but is sleepy sucker/weak suck.

I've been using the Lact-Aid and she accepts that. I'm producing 5 - 6 oz a day but she is taking 12 oz as of today. The good news is that I'm producing more milk each day.

Any advice for the sleepy feeder? I don't want her to start complaining about the workout at the soft breast when she can gulp down from the hard nipple of the bottle. She seems to be becoming aware of the difference. I tried to stay completely off the bottle today.

We will know next week if the adoption goes through. Then we can celebrate! Meanwhile, I've been blessed with a little baby girl to take care of.

Hi Karie,

It's always best to supplement at the breast if at all possible. I understand the need to bottle feed under special circumstances but when you're home, please supplement at the breast.

As for the sleepy feeding/sucking, it sounds like you would benefit from a visit by a board certified lactation consultant. You can find one here: www.iblce.org Just click on the "About IBLCE" button and the US and International registries pop up.

In the meantime, have a look at this webpage: http://www.asklenore.info/breastfeeding/latching_diagrams.html

And our videos on using a supplementary feeding tube also known as a Lactation Aid: http://www.asklenore.info/breastfeeding/additional_reading/movies.html

Best,