Breastfeeding to formula dilema...

[RubyRuby007]

Quick background:

DS is 4 weeks old, born at 41+4, 10lbs, back-to-back, forceps delivery.

DS was exclusively BF until yesterday because:

He hadn't had a poop for over 4 days, when he did poop last night, it was quite sticky, smelly and not the korma consistency it had been! DS has been very niggly during this time, but I just put it down to needing a poop.

DS was weighed by the HV yesterday and had put no weight on at all since last week, when he had continued to put on, and was up to 10lbs11oz. I had very sore boobs on saturday/sunday and saw the dr on monday who assured me blocked ducts, hot flannels, massage etc. HV advised to "feed like mad" over the next couple of days.

I had bought a pump to start expressing, so gave it a go last night...only a few drops, but thought the pump wasn't working / I didn't have the hang of it. Tried a breastfeed, cue screaming niggly baby. Tried to hand express to check milk supply...only a few drops DH popped to the shop for some formula, we fumbled around in the kitchen trying to figure out what to do with the steriliser while DS cried but he took a feed from the bottle and was content and slept well

Today, I have managed to express a measly 50mls all day while DS has fed from a bottle, but has been content, alert but has slept well too.

So, my questions to you ladies are:

1. Has anyone experienced anything like this? Milk supply just stopping?
2. Any chance the milk suppy will return?
3. If I do have to formula feed, how do I make sure I don't end up with painful boobs?
4. How do I stop feeling guilty? Up until last week, I was really proud that I was breasfeeding, and DS was gaining weight well.

Sorry for the ramble, and thanks in advance for any replies

Thanks everyone for the replies, it gave me some food for thought.

We met with our HV and discussed the issues that we've been having in the previous week. We decided that to make sure DS continued to put weight on properly to try some combination feeding. So, we've been trying this for the last week. So far, so good. Our beautiful boy has put on 9oz since last week, he seems very alert, content, he's still enjoying at least 2 breast feeds a day and normal service has been resumed on the toilet front (DS that is!)! HV is happy with his progress and that I seem much less stressed than last week, which was becoming a concern for me.

I'm disapponted that I'm not able to continue to exclusively breastfeed, but the HV is convinced that something was up with my supply as DS was latching on well (and no tongue-tie) and feeding regularly (I'd kept a feed diary), so should have been putting weight on. She thinks that we might not find out what exactly the problem was.

Thanks again everyone x

Glad to hear you're happy with baby's progress and have seen some weight gain, and you're feeling calmer :)