Sat here very emotional. Milk supply just isn't improving

[LookingForTones]

I had surgery on Monday to remove my gallbladder.

Just had another surgery last night because I had a really horrific complication where the bile just leaked into my stomach and caused a bad infection. Not rectified with more surgery.

But ever since Tuesday, my supply has been ridiculous Not even 5mil every 3 hours. I've tried power pumping and it hasn't worked. I was out of it Monday and couldn't express. And yesterday I was in extreme pain, worst ever experienced, and too drugged to even think about it. Today I've been on it again.

Literally nothing is improving my supply. In the week things were hard as I wasn't really eating but still expressing as I should.

I'm so sad. If it doesn't improve soon they'll be giving her formula. She was born extremely prematurely. She's doing so well. How could I have let her down like this? I've never even held her skin to skin, can't even do that for her because of her state. Yet here I am not even able to provide the one thing I knew I could for her. I'm useless just now. To her I really am.

I must admit there's times I didn't do a pump after 3 hours exactly but that's because I'm also caring for disabled DS at home too during the day, but H is helping by working from home a lot. It's just so full on and I feel like we've had a really rough time. Honestly, I'm so unwell and it couldn't have come at a worse time. It's ridiculous. I'm just not able to do it

Has anyone had any success trying something else? Maybe Domperidone? It increases milk supply in some

Thanks for any advice at all

@lovingtheheat message me if you've got Instagram if you like - I'm @homeisthecalm

Sorry you're having trouble

Thank you for all the suggestions about to have a nap on my surprisingly comfy Hospital bed but will read properly afterwards

Just rubbish because I'm at the local hospital to us as it was an emergency but DD is in NICU almost an hour away because it's the closest that had a Level 3 unit when she was delivered

Sorry phone went weird...

Basically still struggling 7 weeks on. Does your NICU have a lactation consultant? They might be able to give you some good advice. Sleep, stress are important. As is eating well and staying hydrated. I was given a letter for my GP to prescribe some medication which helped a little bit - other mums had more success than me with it.

@LookingForTones I just wanted to send you and your family love and good wishes. Congratulations on your new arrival. I know we all strive for everything to be perfect, but sometimes we have to accept that the best we can manage is more than good enough. You will bond, don't worry, just concentrate on both of you getting strong and well

Gosh. You have really been through a lot. Please don't stress, there is still time to re-establish your supply. Right now concentrate on getting better. There is a good chance of some donor milk for your DD and formula isn't poison. If she has to have a bit, it won't harm her either. My DD was premature (but nowhere near as much as that, she was 34 weeks) and born with low blood sugars and had to be topped up over and above my colostrum to get her sugars up. She got formula because we didn't go straight to SCBU, but spent a day on the postnatal ward first. I am still breastfeeding her now and she will be 4 in January. She is very, very healthy and full of energy.