Guys I’m at my wits end here

Oh bless you, I was the exact same as you the first few weeks are so hard! I had the exact same thoughts because it felt like my little boy just constantly wanted to eat, I didn’t sleep at all and whenever I tried pumping to see if he was getting enough it was always like 40-60mls on a good session, most times it was like 30mls. The only reason I kept going is because my midwife said that babies actually take more milk from feeding than you get pumping and he was putting on weight/not losing it. The wakings in the night are hard, my boy is 17 weeks now and he even wakes near enough every 2/3 hours but in time you get used to it. The nipples hurting is awful, I remember I literally used to sit there and cry it was like a toe curling pain, making me think he wasn’t latching properly. Literally no one tells you anything about all of this, when they sag by shouldn’t hurt they lie. You’ll find that the nipple pain will last around 3 weeks then one day it just stopped and I started

Questioning the latch but in reality everything just settled. Your milk supply will be all over the place for the first few weeks, just take your time both you and your little baby are learning everything for the first time and it’s all new. If it brings you peace of mind that they’re gaining weight definitely go to the weighing session they do in local family hubs. Obviously if you’re finding it’s taking a toll on you mentally then so what’s best for you but with the whole supply and pumping I wish someone had told me before that pumping never gives as much as the baby is taking through the breast. You’ll find your baby will be attached to you a lot of the time not because they’re hungry but because they want comfort, mine used to just eat and then go straight to sleep for the first couple weeks. This is a massive reply so sorry but wishing you all the luck with it xxx

My baby is 15 weeks and gaining weight consistently. I pumped the other day and only got just under 60ml. Don't go by pumping as baby can be much more efficient. If your baby gains weight fine and has plenty of wet and dry nappies, don't worry! It's hard when you don't know what they're getting but you have to trust the process!

@Courtney thank you so much for this response.. I feel so much better and at ease that I’m not the only one who’s going thru it and you were in a similar situation. I’m not giving up I will keep going but I don’t sleep a wink at night not even a full hour and honestly I believe if I’m some what well rested and my mental health is good then I can look after my baby girl best I can by feeling more happier.. I’m constantly irritated and moody and I know thats down to hormones and lack of sleep I hate when I’m like that. I have the health visitor next week hopefully she’s either stayed the same (she’s lost a bit) or gained. Fingers crossed.

just a bit of reassurance, i was always told that your baby can get more than you can pump. so you’re probably producing more than you realise. as long as your baby is producing wet nappies and gaining weight then you don’t need to worry. does sound like you’re in the clusterfeeding trenches though. the first few weeks are very tough but i promise it does get easier (sorry for sounding cliche!) sending love! x

@Hannah thank you for your reassurance 🥰As a first time mum this is all new to me.. but I’m going to push through and keep going 💪🏽 it’s either that or sit in a corner and cry. But I don’t even have time to do that atm 🤣

The amount you can pump isn't the same as the amount your baby will be getting. Sounds strange but babies are more efficient than your pump. I combi fed formula and breastfeeding in various ratios from birth to 8.5 months and the early days like you are now I was so worried he wasn't getting enough breast milk but it's normal for your supply to be all over the place even for the first couple of months. I know it's not what you want to hear, it wasn't what I wanted to hear either 😅 but the first few weeks/months are brutal before it eventually gets easier. It's just a season!

Lasino nipple balm with every pump!

Lots of mums think they have low supply when in fact they don’t. Have a look at this article from a lactation consultant which addresses a lot of common misconceptions x https://www.emmapickettbreastfeedingsupport.com/blog/low-milk-supply-101

And this post may also be useful x https://www.facebook.com/share/1KnKLXzvyS/?mibextid=wwXIfr

I agree with the above posts - the amount you pump is not reflective of your supply. I have EBF from birth (now 8.5months) and I’ve never been able to pump more than 10ml (sometimes I actually get nothing - literally not a drop!); and I can assure you my baby would not be the happy boy he is today if the amount I pumped was reflective of what he got from the breast 🤭

Defo recommend side lying feeding/co-sleeping if you’re comfortable. I remember the first couple of weeks were so hard for breast feeding, and I was considering introducing formula because I felt like I couldn’t do it on my own. But side lying feeding saved me. I was suddenly able to get sleep and it was just more comfortable than any other position. I’m now 12 weeks in and it gets a lot easier after the first few weeks

@Lauren this is how I sleep most nights, the feeding keeps him asleep, if he starts to wake up he will wriggle and latch back on xx

Guidance where I am is not to pump or introduce a bottle for the first 6 weeks if you want to breastfeed cos that's how long it takes baby to balance your supply and can cause preference for a bottle cos it's easier. Best way to increase supply is latch baby as often as you can. Skin on skin. Hydrate. Eat enough. If there are wet nappies and weight gain they are getting enough.

Have you fitted yourself with the right size flange for the pump?? I feel like I'm the flange advocate for si many women on here. I've been in personal messages with about 10 women explaining the flange sizes. Most pumps come with a 24mm hole, not very many women have a nipple that large, if it's too big your basically over stretching it and it will crack and be really painful. You can buy a pack of flanges to insert to change the hole size on the pump on amazon and try which fits best, shoukd be 1mm all the way around your nipple. If you don't fit the pump properly you won't get the right supply either. Send me a message if you want. I'll add the link for the flanges they fit most pumps x

https://amzn.eu/d/2dw2U54

Hi ladies thank you for all your replies I really appricate it! So I’ve made some progress I’ve been using the medela hand pump and it’s working wonders omg. It’s giving me more than the momcozy. I’ve been using that all day and it’s been great. My little one still is cluster feeding she’ll have some from her bottle settle down a bit and then go at the bottle again which I know it normal. But having her stuck to my breast all night is hard work. I love it don’t get me wrong the bonding and attachment and love But constantly is really draining