How do i get some supply to feed her bedtime feed?

[BurningBuntingFlipFlop]

Okay, Dd is 6 mo next week. 2 weeks ago my dh walked out on me (another story alltogether) at that time i was exclusively breastfeeding. With the stress, my mum ended up giving dd a few bottles because i was in such a state. Anyway, my supply quickly dwindled to not much at all and she was guzzling bottles. I thought fine i'll go to bottles now.

But now i'm feeling really down about it, it was not the way i wanted to stop, and i really don't want to stop. I've been giving her the odd breast feed and there is still milk there. My boobs never get "full" now though. Ideally i'd like to give her her bedtime feed and night feed (more hassle going to get a bottle) so i can carry on after going back to work for as long as she'll want it. This evening i fed her at 7pm she fed from both boobs and then was fussing and crying, i then gave her a bottle and she had 5oz.

How an i get back to giving her a satisfying feed? Or should i just stop because it's pointless when i can't satisfy her?

[WobblyPig]

My sympathies, breastfeeding can be hard enough without all the other stuff you are going through.
What would you like to do? You may be able to get the milk supply up with pumping ; do you put her to the breast at all in the day?
You have given her a good stretch - if you chose to give up now it may simplify your life overall although I know form my experience that even when it's not going well it's hard to let go of the breastfeeding - it is so lovely to be able to give them something. I am breastfeeding just fro a couple of feeds now - DD 23 weeks having struggled for a long time.

I am not an expert so someone more helpful may advise but very good luck whatever you chose.

[BurningBuntingFlipFlop]

Thanks, bumping for the morning.

[tiktok]

Sorry about all your troubles, FlipFlop

Yes, you can get your supply back and the good news is your dd is happy to go to the breast which means you will have less of a struggle than others...once or twice attempting this per day is nowhere near enough, sorry. You need to put her to the breast (and/or express) at least 8-10 times in 24 hours. This will rapidly restore a supply...you won't need to keep up this frequency long term.

HTH.

[BurningBuntingFlipFlop]

Thanks TikTok. Once i've got some supply back how do i go to just breastfeeding at her bedtime feed? I never stopped this feed but it dwindled to her having a 10 min feed then screaming and i give her formula (4/5OZ afterwards).

Should i feed her then express? I ideally just want to do this feed now and any night feeds and 3 bottles of formula (breakfast lunch and dinner) I may be going back to work ver soon, not sure atm.