Can I go from bottle to breast-and-bottle?

[outtahell]

Okay, so my question is the subject line. I had my lovely DS2 on Valentine's day.

I breast fed while in hospital, but found I had the same problems as I did with DS1 (which is part of what led to me switching to formula)- eye-wateringly painful, brief latching with my nipple left flat on one side (apparently a sign of poor latching).

I raised my concerns with a midwife but was just told it was "fine", but I don't think it was.

Currently DS2 is having approx 4 floz of C&G stage 1 about every 2 - 4 hours.

My milk is taking a while to go like it did last time - very leaky when not squeezed into a tight bra, and proper creamy looking stuff.

If I try to bf DS2 before I offer him bottle, it won't harm him will it? I feel like crap leaking milk everywhere that I'm not even trying to give him. I have a breast pump, do you think I could use that or is it better to leave him with what he's used to now?

Thanks in advance.

It won't harm him, you can absolutely start breastfeeding him again, or expressing and giving him that, but I think you need some real life support. If you were in pain and getting flattened nipples, everything wasn't "fine", and you were quite right that it sounds like a problem with the latch. The midwife should have realised that too. Could you find a breastfeeding support group in your area? They'll be able to give help in person.