Breastfeeding struggles
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Mine is nearly 5 weeks old and breastfeeding has been the hardest struggle. It's been painful and frustrating. We gave ours formula in the hospital because he lost too much weight and I've been feeding him a mix of expressed breast milk and formula ever since with also continuing to try to breastfeed. You really have to do what's best for you. Without the formula I would have lost my mind so we're just working towards reducing that steadily and we're really doing loads better. As they grow and get stronger and bigger they're better at removing milk... it's just a long process to get there. We've had weekly help from community groups and a private lactation consultant. I urge you to get help wherever you can and ultimately do what's best for you. Mine had a bottle since day 2 and is learning to breastfeed well so it's not always the worst thing
I echo the comments from Tanya and Rosie. We had lots of issues to start and it's been an uphill battle. We saw a lactation consultant, and it was worth every penny. Huge improvements and amazing education for you to better understand.
Also had alot of BF struggles both with my 1st whos now 1 and my 10 day old baby. Both had tounge tie which we got cut. Try see a private lactation specialist for help or see if your health visitor will refer you to the infant feeding team. It's SO hard but if it's what you really want to do persevere with it and once it clicks it becomes so easy. I went through all this with my 1st, she had TT cut twice as it re attached, then had supply issues but we got through it and went on to BF till she was 1. X
Bf babies will.alwasy take milk from a bottle afterwards that doesn't mean they need topping up. Try to just five milk straight from the source it's normal.for them.to be basically attached 24 /7 at this stage
It's hard!!! Keep going, put baby on the boob when he hungry. Take care of your nipples and skin. It will get easier I promise
My advice is just keep going with it and offering him breast whenever he cries. Sometimes if you offer formula it’s not telling your boobs to make more milk. It definitely gets better the more you do it . I was really struggling a couple of weeks ago x
It's really normal for them to be on the boob ages, it's cluster feeding where they are telling your body to make more milk. Avoid topping up with formula if you can, as it will interfere with this process unless you've been told to due to weight concerns. Just put him on the other boob or put him back on. Hand him to someone else for a break if you can. Also you can try to find a local lactation consultant or breastfeeding support group. It is not easy but you are doing a great job ❤️