Okay, I have really gotten myself into a mess. I REALLY need some advice.

I was breastfeeding fine my first month, but after quite a bit of stress with baby having jaundice- the doctor made me supplement with formula and STOP feeding her for a whole week. I had then bought a breast pump- which to my delight was MUCH MORE comfy than my baby. It gave me time to recover from my bleeding and cracked nipples, but I didn't stop there.

Now my supply is bad. Really bad.

It's getting worse. Last week my supply cut by 50% overnight.

My baby girl is now 2 months old and I'm STILL supplementing with formula due to my low supply. I'm talking 4 oz a DAY low. She began biting me every feeding, so I began using the pump more... and more... Now it's been a whole 2 weeks since she's been on the teet PERIOD and I feel so irresponsible. I feel like it's too late. I feel like I can't do this. She bites so damn HARD and pulls on me like AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!! I've already seen 2 lactation consultants and I learned a lot- but SHE BITES ME and I'm AFRAID. Last time she bit me 3 times just on one nipple.

Everything would be fine-no pain- then CHOMP!

I'm told I should put her on the breast and on my chest but she's so intimidating. She has a very, very, very hard suck- and not much patience since there is barely anything in there. I was going to exclusively pump but things are looking awful grim- I'm already taking fenugreek x3 3 times a day with blessed thistle, mothers milk tea, granola/oats, probiotic yogurt, tumeric, water, barley milk, coconut milk, and an occasional power pump along with pumping on a regular 2-3 hours schedule.......... Whats wrong?!!!!!!!!

How can I slowly get back into feeding her without her kicking my butt back to the pump? I'd even be happy if I could get enough milk to give her more than a bottle a day. Pumping even feels so pointless now. This is crazy.

oh my gosh, that's a crazy amount of work you're doing mama!
have u noticed any increase at all with that schedule?
are u getting enough rest???

Make sure you're looking after yourself hun.

How about spending some time in bed skin to skin? Try to relax and don't think about feeding and just see what happens.

Get pumping every 2/3 hours or as much as you can to build your supply up just now but ultimately she is better at getting your supply up by feeding straight from you.

Have a wee look on YouTube at latching and position videos as that's what I did when I had cracked bleeding nipples!

Try not to worry too much, easier said than done though!! Xx

If you want to EBF then you may still be able to. I mixed fed DS and he was getting about 60ml EBM a day and the rest formula, now we are EBF. So all may not be lost. It never occurred to me that I couldn't do it, so stay positive! Positivity can only help!!

Is she clamping down on the breast and tugging? Is that what you mean by biting? It is fairly normal for this to happen and I believe that this is attempting to trigger a let down. Since you have seen two LC's I am guessing that your latch is correct and that you just need to up your supply.

Have you looked at a supplemental system? These put a tube over your shoulder and down on the breast so when your LO nurses, she will be stimulating your breast and getting a mix of whatever BM you are producing and the formula coming through the tube. This can stop the frustration and can ease some of the sucking pain you are suffering through.

Is your nipple blanching when you are feeding? Like going white or purple or deep red? Is is flat or round when she un-latches?

I have noticed a few nl increase this week- about 10 ml. I am trying to rest more in the night and only pump twice then now.

Blondie-- i shall try more skin to skin. She hates being on her tummy and cries a bit so ill try putting her naked on her back.

Maxy--

Yes! Thats what she does sometimes and its so scary, haha. She tugs on me like an impatient pup! Then most of the time my nipple is flat from her gums. The color is like pink.


I bought two new supplements, more milk plus special blend and some drops of the same thing. I woke up slightly engorged but so too soon to tell. Ill update soon with the results, im going to give it a few days.

Try taking a bath with her and let her latch on there, that way there's loads of skin to skin and you're both relaxed in the warm water. why not try and give her a little formula/ebm before putting her to the breast to take the edge off her hunger, it may reduce the biting. I can totally sympathise, my eldest used to bite as well when she was really hungry.

marathon nursing helped me to increase my supply. 3 days almost non-stop nursing. ask someone to help you with food and water. i was just laying there in the bed, nursing, eating , drinking and sleeping. worked like a charm. baby gained 1.5kg that month

Unfortunately we dont have a bath tub, but i did feed her some formula and put her on my breast. She emptied the first one in ten minutes (!) And now is on the second. Thank you.

I dont know if i have the courage but im going to try. There really isbt much in there, i dont think the poor girl could get full! I set the bed up to feed her as long as she will tolerate.

If you google medela supplemental nursing system you will see what I mean by the mixed feeding with the tube. There are other brands but that's the only one I know of off the top of my head.

This will keep you on your nursing marathons without LO getting frustrated.

That looks interesting, ill have to talk to my spouse about it.

The baby has successfully emptied both breasts for the first time in a month. She only bit me twice. My breasts are so ridiculously small now but she wants to keep sucking, is she even getting food? Im thinking shes just using me as a pacifier. Its been an hour.