Mum guilt - Breast milk not enough

[tiredmumsclub88]

DS is 13 weeks ( 9 corrected). Have always struggled with BF- had a week in SCUBU because if hypoglycaemia and we're doing frequent top ups with EBM. Dad has used shields since he was 3 weeks. Recently I've found that he's not taking enough when he's one me & will early devour a 130/140ml EBM or formula bottle after spending 40 mins on me. My first question is- is it worth me spending time setting up and expressing routine to feed him? Is it worth all the hassle? 2nd question - how do you deal with the Mum
Guilt if knowing you can't provide enough for your child? But he will take it from a bottle
Tia
Xx

[tiredmumsclub88]

**DS has used shields -not Dad. Sleep deprivation at its best

[Battleax]

Refuse to feel guilty. You're feeding him. That's your job.

If you do want to maintain your supply expressing is worthwhile.

[Lollipop30]

Keep going the fact you’re expressing like that means you’re doing great. He’ll be taking more from a bottle because premmys can get very tired. My DD was prem and it was a very gradual process but she was eventually EBF. It’s hard going though so try not to be too hard on yourself

[firsttimer12345]

I'm expressing as we ended up back in Hospital with 14% weight loss after 5 days and needed to measure every feed. We're now at 17 weeks and still going. I'm overproducing a little now too so can freeze a feed a day.
For us, it really is worth it. The formulas we tried at the start when I was struggling with supply made DD sick and the smell made me nauseous.
Once you get yourself a decent pump and get confident multitasking, it isn't so bad. There are some helpful groups on facebook for support.

Alternatively, have you had a look for a tongue tie or other reasons your DS is struggling to transfer the milk?

[Lollipop30]

Keep going the fact you’re expressing like that means you’re doing great. He’ll be taking more from a bottle because premmys can get very tired. My DD was prem and it was a very gradual process but she was eventually EBF. It’s hard going though so try not to be too hard on yourself

[Andromache77]

You're getting milk by expressing so you do have supply, it's probably then a matter of waiting until your baby is strong enough to feed properly. Even if that wasn't the case, as long as your baby is fed you're doing right and giving him the benefits of breastfeeding.

I had to mix feed because of low supply but managed to slowly increase it until weaning, then we soon dropped the formula but continued breastfeeding until she was three. I did have my low moments at first but hey, my baby was fed and healthy, and while she took the bottle quite well, her true passion was the breast. The breastfeeding midwife advised me to put her on the breast first, then to top-up with formula, and at first the so-called top-ups were huge, so probably the main course, however she always demanded another breast afterwards because she liked it. That helped a lot with the guilt/regret . Whatever works for you.