Is my milk drying up?

[Cinnamon84]

Ds is just over 3 weeks, have had a crappy start to bfing- bad latch, tongue tie, still painful with nipple shields. Normally dp helps out with feeds and gives a bottle of ebm at 9pmish (or whenever he's hungry around then) and 6amish.
Everyday from 3ish ds gets really agitated and will want to feed constantly, over the last couple of days my nipples have been so raw when dp has come home from work I've had to give ds a bottle of expressed milk. Because I've been so busy constantly bfing ds through the day I've started to fall behind with ebm, and for the evening feed dp has given him a bottle of formula. HV said this should be fine but I've noticed today ds has been so fussy again since 3ish, crying on both breasts, doing quick sucks and light fluttery sucks and doesn't seem to be doing much of the usual gulps. He keeps falling asleep and when I try to put him down or burp him he cries and roots like crazy... Am I running out of milk??

[MyBreadIsEggy]

Sounds like he's trying to up your supply by constantly feeding - putting in his order for next time if you like!!
If your baby is on the breast, even just comfort sucking, that sucking is sending signals to tell your body to make more milk as long as you keep putting him to the breast or pumping or both, you will not dry up
Sounds like you're doing great!!!

[Inwaiting]

I doubt you are running out but your boobs are probably thinking it can reduce your supply if you're missing feeds. After each feed try to express for 10 mins each side to encourage your milk supply to up. I do remember thinking I've not got enough, especially when the growth spurt hits around week 3/4. Keep going and if you miss a feed due to expressed/formula feed still express to manipulate your supply

[allthecarbs]

It does sound like he's ordering more, which should be about right for his age.

Breastfeeding can be so hard to start with but you put all the work in at the beginning, once you're established it's easy. Sounds as if you're both still learning the ropes so go easy on yourself and try not to supplement too much.

[Boosiehs]

try not to fret too much.

Stay hydrated, get some lansinoh. Have you had the TT snipped?

[fruityb]

My DS roots for ages before starting- it's funny and frustrating! He even sucks his hand first. But yes agree with the above, the midwife told me he's putting his orders in for later!

I'm trying to BF as much as possible save the formula feed in the night as I just can't do it then. So long as you can feed and express you'll be right. Lahnolin cream has been a godsend for me in terms of dealing with soreness if that helps.

[Cinnamon84]

Thanks everyone. Mums net is a godsend for this sort of stuff. I will definitely try to get him on the breast more as I think I'd been slacking a bit this week. Yes the tt was snipped but I haven't really felt much of a difference- it still feels like he's chomping through the nipple shield.
Will try and express after each feed to try and up the supply. I stupidly pumped when ds was asleep thinking I had at least half an hour before he would wake for his next feed, he woke up straightaway and then felt like he struggled to get any milk out of me.

[allthecarbs]

Do you think you could have a day of skin to skin? Snuggle up in bed with him and let him on as much as he needs.

It's ok to have days where you just can't be arsed. It's a brand new skill to learn and you have to do it while sleep deprived! I would aim to do the 9pm feed yourself though, night feeds are v important for supply and your baby.

Good luck, you sound as if you are doing a great job

[Cinnamon84]

Ah I think I'm going to give up, I've had a night of the same thing. He won't feed from the right anymore, I think the milk doesn't flow fast enough for him and he's probably used to his bottle. The left is all split and hurts so much. Really disappointed as I wanted to try for at least a month but feel like this is not sustainable. :( oh well

[3luckystars]

I gave up too early after the nurse upset me and I really really regretted it.

It sounds like you are doing great, is there anyone who could give you some support today? After a good sleep you might feel like continuing. It's very hard but you have done fantastic to get this far.

[3luckystars]

Also the multi mam nipple compresses out of the fridge will really help with your sore nip, could you send someone off for a box today, it sounds really sore so you need to get well yourself.