Why does breastfeeding make you into a guilt ridden mess?

[turtle23]

I know it is all part of parenting. My DS2 is 8 months and weighs 23 pounds. He is massive. Yet I am beside myself convinced that he is not getting enough milk. How is that possible?
He is waking up a lot drier over the last few days and I KNOW it must be because it has been so hot. He has had small feeds all night and I offered him water as well...surely he would drink if he was thirsty? He isn't eating a huge amount of solids so he MUST be getting quite a lot of milk.

When are they going to invent a guage you can install on your boobs? I do not expect a reply to this post. Just feel as though I am losing the plot.

I know Morloth! I'd happily have a full body massage every night before a warm, soapy bath!

Haverina - sounds like a grwoth spurt, DS2 was like this for a few days at 8 weeks and at 13 weeks (last week) - lot more feeds than normal, feeding for longer than normal and less gaps inbetween. Its totally normal.

She'll be better at extracting milk than a breast pump - and yes if she is feeding for hours your milk probably is slow - as she drank all the quick stuff as now she is bigger she needs more. But because she's drinking the slow stuff your body will get the message that it needs to produce more (quick stuff) to satify her bigger needs. If you top up with formula your body will not get the message.

Thanks mumnw, have been expressing in the morning when I am full and using this to top up dd in the evenings. Seems to be helping. Also been expressing just as my dd is going to bed to get supply up in the evening as its so slow! No plans to use formula. A few people have suggested trying it in the evening but we plan to keep going with the ebm as a top up.