Grace is thriving. Having lost a fair bit of weight in the first week she is now gaining nicely. I estimate that this time around I have at least a milk 50% supply. Supplementing with the Medela Supplemental Nursing System (SNS) is a absolute genius. This is an at breast supplementer so the baby gets the forumula supplement through a small tube while nursing at the breast. It means that she only ever has a bottle when we go out and so isn't getting nipple preference like Olivia did and my milk supply gets extra stimulation to increase. Hopefully this should mean a longer and more effective breastfeeding relationship this time around.
I didn't but this till Olivia was about 9 weeks old and she had already established quite strong nipple preference for bottles by then and was a very fussy nurser at the breast and so I found it very hard to get her to latch while using the SNS. Grace is a good feeder with a strong latch and so I have had lots of opportunity to practice and perfect the technique of using the SNS. I don't tape it on though, but just keep it in place with my finger until she latches.
When I do use a bottle, when out and about, a feel almost apologetic and feel the need to justify it by stating that I do actually breast feed but have low milk supply. No one has ever challenged me on using bottles, it is my own perception that people will think badly of someone who bottle feeds rather than breast feeds. You could argue that I made my own bed by having breast surgery in the first place but at least I am trying ot do my best and make sure my babies have got the most breast milk they could. I guess I do carry a certain amount of guilt around about what it would have been like if I had never had the surgery and could breast feed normally.
Having said that, what is done is done and I just have to make the best of it , learn from my experiences with Olivia and try to establish a good breastfeeding relationship with Grace.
I didn't but this till Olivia was about 9 weeks old and she had already established quite strong nipple preference for bottles by then and was a very fussy nurser at the breast and so I found it very hard to get her to latch while using the SNS. Grace is a good feeder with a strong latch and so I have had lots of opportunity to practice and perfect the technique of using the SNS. I don't tape it on though, but just keep it in place with my finger until she latches.
When I do use a bottle, when out and about, a feel almost apologetic and feel the need to justify it by stating that I do actually breast feed but have low milk supply. No one has ever challenged me on using bottles, it is my own perception that people will think badly of someone who bottle feeds rather than breast feeds. You could argue that I made my own bed by having breast surgery in the first place but at least I am trying ot do my best and make sure my babies have got the most breast milk they could. I guess I do carry a certain amount of guilt around about what it would have been like if I had never had the surgery and could breast feed normally.
Having said that, what is done is done and I just have to make the best of it , learn from my experiences with Olivia and try to establish a good breastfeeding relationship with Grace.
