Possible to get supply up at 7 weeks?

[birkenstockbabe]

As in title, baby is 7 weeks and we are combo feeding after a horrendous start with a tongue tie etc.

I latch him before every bottle feed and although his latch is a bit crap, he does have a good try although sometimes very frustrated with the flow as he prefers the bottle.
He then usually downs a 5-6oz formula bottle as he's a large hungry baby.

I pump too probably 4x/day, using a rented medela symphony double pump most often, and usually make enough over the day to give him a 7oz bottle of breast milk at the end of the day.

The most I ever get while pumping is about 3.5-4oz (so absolute best 2oz per breast) that tends to be in the morning or if my boobs have been untouched for like 4 plus hours.
Often it will be less around 1oz per breast.

I can't take domperidone, but is it possible to increase my supply so that at the very least I can get say 4oz per pump? Seeing as my boobs can clearly store that amount even if that's their maximum.

I've been reading about power pumping so will give that a go, would pumping 3 hourly be enough?

Even if I can't get him directly feeding efficiently, I would like to pump more milk for him and increase the ration of milk:formula if at all possible as I don't think the formula agrees with him as much as the breast milk does for various reasons.

I had a massive drop in supply due to tongue tie and my LO didn't gain any weight between 7 and 9 weeks. I was able to get my supply back up although continued combi feeding by choice.

I triple fed 3 hourly for 3 weeks - so breast fed, bottle top up and then pump. It's very intense and a hands free pump was a gamechanger for me. I did a power pump in the evenings, so my husband could hold LO and we normally get a slightly longer stretch of sleep. (I didn't wake him overnight to feed, but at that age he generally went max 4 hours anyway - she told me doing a pump between midnight and 6am was extra beneficial due to higher prolactin levels).

Initially I was getting less than oz per breast when pumping, and got it up to around 3oz each. Not everyone gets loads on pumping though, but it will still be helpful for your supply.

We were told it's really important to pace feed the bottles, otherwise they'll be frustrated by the slower flow of breast milk.

It's really stressful, hope you've got lots of support OP!

Fenugreek seeds. Take the pills or swallow them whole (available in Indian grocery stores and Amazon). Proven scientific results and you get a boost in milk supply within a couple of days. They've worked like a charm for me and my friends. Also, look for advice and tips on kellymom.com.

Also keep up the frequency I even if there is low supply.

I had a feeding issue with my DD, low supply due to birth and had to combi feed to start. I found a lactation consultant through the children's centre who helped her and me fully breastfeed. I didn't take any supplements, stopped pumping as it was stressing me out and lowering supply (this varies individually). Drank lots of water and ate.

I held baby close to me unless I was in the bathroom, needed a break, nappy change to boost supply. She napped on me and I know this is controversial but used me as a dummy but it really helped up supply.

Took to about when she was about 3/4 months old when we stopped all bottles and fully breastfed.

Thanks. Am going to try and up the pumping and have ordered some supplements. Just wondering now how to get my boobs to actually refill faster rather than needing over four hours!