I echo that babies are far more efficient than the pump, I use an electric, DS is 7 weeks and I can get about 5oz from both boobs. It takes about 10 mins. My breastfeeding counsellor says this is actually an awful lot! I am considering donating to the breast milk bank at local hospital!
My routine is breast feed on demand during day, but he goes up to bed at 6.30, sometimes bath, and change clothes, breast feed and into cot. Then I go to bed. My hubby formula feeds at 10.30 and I pump! Then I breast feed around 3am when he wakes, and again around 5.30 when he stays in our bed till about 7.30 for another feed.
I do believe in controlled crying, I did it with both mine at 6 weeks. But let them cry for 5 mins, go and comfort. Then leave them 10 mins, return, then 10 mins then 15. I haven;t had to do any longer than this. I use a dummy. I will take that away at bedtime when they don;t cry anymore at bedtime. There is a little bit of putting dummy back in but he is so used to bedtime now, generally he just goes off.
Sometimes, if my boobs are full, (they do feel soft mostly now, except I can tell when he has put on a growth spurt) I breast at 10.30 instead of the formula. I let hubby do this feed for several reasons;
Baby doesn't only link food with mum and breast
Baby accepts bottle
Baby accepts formula
Hubby is very involved in feeding and bonding.
I get more sleep!
Soon my boobs will adapt and I won't have to express at 10.30, hopefully when he can go 5 or 6 hours at night, I can drop the express.
Totally agree with the easy routine too. Its pretty much the same system as Gina Ford but its written in a more intelligent way.
Its too easy to always underestimate yourself as a mother. But your gut feelings are generally correct, so do what your heart is telling you. Sure, read up and research but take the bits onboard that you think suit you.
AND 6-7 weeks is a growth spurt so being on your breast all day is important for a couple of days to make your boobs create more milk. It settles after a few days. They all have those days where they dont seem to feed properly, so they don't sleep properly and fall asleep as soon as they latch on! And around in circles you go.
Try a baby carrier and hold her off as long as poss, they tend to fall asleep in a sling.
Good luck, don't give up on the breast! See if there is a breastfeeding 'club' near you. We have one provided by Sure start at the local children centre so give them a google, or call your local council and ask for family information service as they will know whether there is a sure start centre nearby.
xx