As a brief overview, DS is 24 days old. Had a great ELCS delivery but early problems with painful latching and I never really got to grips before leaving hospital. He was also unexpectedly big (3.95kg!) Weight loss at day 3 got us put on a feeding plan in hospital. This said to feed every 3 hours, starting with breast, then any expressed milk (so expressing between every feed), then 30 ml of formula, with another 30 if still showing signs of hunger. He gained and we were discharged on day 5 but dipped again at day 10 (after reducing the formula and exclusive breast feeding/expressed milk for 2 days) so back on the feeding plan.
So now we’re at day 24 and he continues to be a very hungry baby who still almost always wants the full formula top ups as well. We are feeding on demand, rather than the 3 hour regime, he tends feed around every 2-3. I’m trying to offer the breast at every feed but occasionally have given just expressed instead if I’ve been in a lot of pain/getting frustrated with his latch. If I don’t offer the breast I will always pump and also try to pump between most of his feeds anyway (though no longer manage in between every one as life gets in the way). My pumping varies between 15ml - 40 ml for both breasts 15 mins each. I’ve been taking fenugreek and eating oats. I’ve had a lactation consultant out - it helped a bit with latching pain but nipples still a weird shape after every feed.
He’s got an appointment to look at possible tongue tie tomorrow - certainly he doesn’t stick his tongue out, my nipples always look lipstick shaped, occasionally latch is still very painful, doesn’t seem to deep suck for very long/spends a lot of time not doing much at the breast.
Does it seem like I’ll ever be able to exclusively breast feed? I’m ok if not, have made my peace with possible need to combo feed. BUT I’m very aware that my supply has probably been damaged by giving formula. It just all seems to be a bit of a viscous circle! Any advice?