bf for 3.5 months but feeds now taking ages, little or no letdowns, weight not going on either

[laceylocket]

I feel my bf is all going to pot. Can anyone help? Feeds with dd2 are taking forever and I thought things would be getting easier rather than harder by now. I had her weighed the other day and she has only gained 1lb in 5 weeks. I think my confidence has just plummeted since then and my milk doesn't seem to let down for ages, if at all. Today, dd2 has hardly fed at all, or seems that way and has been very sleepy but very happy whilst awake. Don't think she's ill, just low on energy from not enough milk maybe . She had jab 2 on Wednesday- would that affect her feeding? Am also offering bottles of ebm and she only drinks an oz or 2. Getting v. stressed out here and feel like I'm at the end of the road with bf. I want to carry on but don't want her weight to drop

Ok, her weight is not dropping (as in losing) 1lb in 5 weeks is not that bad, babies weight often starts to slow down as they get a bit bigger.

So she is happy? wet nappies? alert? not losing weight?

Why is she having the ebm? If it's only because of you worrying then maybe just go back to b/f to try and stop watching how much she gets. She sounds like she is taking what she wants, when she wants and thats fine
Maybe she is a bit off after her jabs, what about baby mooning? Go to bed for a couple of days (if possible) Lots of rest for you, and feeding for her whenever she wants xx

Thanks for replying, I'm giving her ebm because I've lost confidence about her drinking properly from me. Also because I spend all day either trying to feed her or trying to get her to sleep at the moment! Got to the stage where I don't care how she gets the milk as long as she does. Things have changed lots in last week or so- she's finding it hard to nap in the day, is starting to wake at night a bit yet hardly ever seems to have at a big feed at any point in the day. This can't go on with toddler around too. How do other people structure bf's? I feel I can't say no to her at the moment because of the weight issue.

I have 5 kids, ds1 is the youngest at nearly 10 months and we still don't have structured b/f. He feeds every 2-3 hrs day and night and it is hard with the other kids but I find in the long run it's easier to go with the flow than to get a routine
Thats not to say you shouldn't get a routine going if you want to but that it's not going to hurt if for a while longer you just feed as and when.
I personally would stop expressing unless you want to build up a supply for the freezer. Your body will have no problem giving her the amount she needs I promise
Have you seen a b/f counsellor? A properly trained one through www.laleche.org.uk or www.breastfeedingnetwork.org.uk? Just ring and have a chat with someone there. I am sure they will have loads of advice to offer