Help, feeding nightmare!!

[Mmolly2013]

So I had my first baby few weeks ago. I was all set up to fully breastfeed, but in hospital we established I had flat nipples and the baby was struggling so much to feed. I could not get her to stash on with all the help I was given to I tried the nipple shields which also did not work.

So I made the decision to express my milk, but my breast doesnt want to make enough milk so I have to top up with formula, which is defeating the purpose. The baby feeds every two hours so between feeding and pumping day and night I am exhausted and just feel like quitting and moving completely to formula. I feel so guilty

Oh you poor thing, that sounds really rough. I express one feed a day while I'm at work and even that's a faff with time spent pumping, sterilising bottles etc. I can't imagine how much work must go into exclusive expressing. You must be exhausted.

There's an article here on expressing and increasing supply:
www.kellymom.com/bf/pumpingmoms/pumping/pumping_decrease/

But really- you've given your LO such a great start with all that you've done so far. Formula is absolutely fine and it's so much more important that you are happy and well rested (as much as you can be!). Don't feel guilty- you've worked so hard and you sound like a wonderful mum. There'll always be something to feel guilty over as a parent even if BFing goes swimmingly!

If the current set-up is driving you into the ground (and it sort of sounds like it is) then things clearly need to change. Switching to formula altogether sounds very sensible in this situation.

Be kind to yourself OP and allow yourself to be at peace with whatever decision you make x

Hi....i also have a same problem but try to pump it every 3 hrs. You will get there. Good luck !!

Don't feel guilty, there's nothing to be guilty about! Switching to FF sounds like an eminently sensible decision in your case and your LO will benefit from you being better rested.

Just one thought though, what kind of pump are you using? If you aren't using one already, it might be worth trying a hospital grade double pump. My understanding is that exclusive expressing without one is pretty challenging.

But don't beat yourself up, just think about the whole picture and work out what's best for you and your LO based on that.