2 week old baby currently mixed feeding and I don't know what to do

[silkcushion]

Dd2 is 16 days old. Started with bf for 6 days by which time my nipples were shredded (lumps of flesh coming off and me in agony)

Mws were saying latch etc was fine but it wasn't.

I took 3 days off and ff with a bottle to allow my nipples to heal. Went to a brilliant bf support group last Tuesday who showed me how to feed properly and dd latched on really well (much wider mouth) and painlessly. During the time off I hand expressed as was very engorged

Since then I have bf whenever she seems to want to feed (about 3 hourly) and continued to offer topped up bottles when she seemed still hungry. By Thursday she was reducing the amount of formula. But since Saturday she seems to constantly feed at my breast and then still want 3oz bottles straight afterwards.

Last night for example she fed for 30 minutes each side between 10 and 11 and was then crying for more. Drank a 3oz bottle. I tried expressing and nothing seemed to be coming out. (it had been earlier) She then had another bottle at 1am.

Can't tell if my milk supply is low or if she is just very very hungry. Any ideas on what I should do?

Are you holding on to your breast while she latches then letting it go once she's on? I used to sort of cup my breast underneath (my nipples point floorwards down slightly) but ds2 would 'lose' his latch once I let go because my breast dropped down but he didn't, iyswim. A bfc showed me how to latch him on without lifting my breast which sorted it out.

thanks for that. not holding my breast whilst she's latching. bit perplexed as to why this is happening really

If there is nothing else wrong, then clicking is not an issue. I have come across many healthy, happily bf babies who clicked some of the time, and a few who clicked all of the time.

thanks tiktok - doesn't seem to hurt and she appears to be feeding well.

In that case, silkcushion, you can be confident it's better to leave well alone...especially as you are going to disturb this new learning by detaching and reattaching

Can I put in a good word for some MWs? My community MW was brilliant. Sorted out latch problems and comfort for me (combined SPD and car accident giving me me back,hips and moblity problems). She visited every day till it was right. Excellent advice - imagine your own titok visiting everyday. BF till just after 2yrs when DD decided no more.