I'm due with DC2 in November, and just started maternity leave. I'm beginning to think about some of the problems we encountered with DD1(now a healthy happy 3yr old about to start nursery) and posting really in the hope some wise people who know more about breastfeeding will offer some wisdom. I know the second baby may well be very different but feel that I'll somehow be more equipped if I have a better idea of why things went the way they did the first time! After a few years I'm now proud of my achievement in feeding DD, but there are a few things I wonder if we could have resolved at the time.
In summary - she was exclusively breastfed for 6 weeks then mixed fed but continued with some feeds until 10m when she 'self weaned' (although with hindsight I suspect the feeds were not worth the effort for her by then, as I wasn't feeding enough to keep up supply).
Born 4 weeks early, so very sleepy and often went for long stretches during the day without feeds. Didn't poo much in early days and when she did feed it would take over an hour before she came off on her own. She never seemed satisfied, particularly at night, and would cry and cry until on the breast again.
I was exhausted, suffering from pnd, and felt like I was on my knees.
I had no pain, no mastitis. But also no feeling of full or empty breasts.
My gut feeling is that she had a problem getting the milk from me to her, which resulted in poor supply.
So, with the benefit of hindsight, what could we have done instead of adding that formula feed? Should I have been expressing to build up supply? Waking her up during day for feeds?
If anyone has any insight I'd be so grateful. It would help me put some demons to rest before this baby arrives.