Breastfeeding, 5 weeks, dried up and failing my baby!

[MyMilkshakeIsntBringingAnyoneToTheYard]

i could cry.

I wasn’t able to breastfeed my first born, she was early, latch was rubbish and because she was underweight we had to get her weight up so we formula fed. I’ve always felt like I’ve missed out on it, breastfeeding is something I feel quite strongly about personally (I don’t care how anyone else feeds their baby) so when this baby came along and he was healthy, full term, he latched straight on and has since been a proper milk guzzler.

Up to about a week after he was born my milk came in and supply increased.. I was leaking in the day and at night so wore breast pads as per usual. However he’s now 5 weeks and for context last Wednesday I was so poorly I was struggling to feed him so my partner picked up some formula, we used it for about a day and a half, just for top ups, and one full feed when we were out at the shops..

the last few of days I seem to just have nothing, he’s hysterical on the boob, cluster feeding, my boobs feel like jelly, just completely floppy and empty, I can’t even hand express more than a drop or two? I haven’t worn breast pads for two days and I haven’t leaked, I’ve had no let down when feeding from the other boob.

What has happened? I’m gutted I feel like I’m failing him. Would the couple of days of formula top ups have done this? How do I get it back? How can I keep him content in the meantime? - I’ve been power pumping between feeds, I’ve had something whether it baby or the pump attached me to non stop since yesterday but what was 4oz of milk from each boob after 10 minutes pumping, is now just touching 1oz from each boob after 10 minutes. Please tell me it will get better

Ate you on Facebook OP.
There is a great group called "Breastfeeding and Lactation support UK" with some really knowledgeable advisors.
I'm no expert but I think you should keep offering boob and pumping regularly until you get some specialist advice, hopefully it will improve in the meantime.
Are you still doing formula top ups and is your baby doing regular wet/dirty nappies.
I read that milk levels regulate at about 6 weeks and many women no longer get the engorged feeling so perhaps that is happening early for you there is also a baby developmental leap at 5 weeks which causes fussiness at the boob so it could be that those 2 things combined are making you think you're not providing enough milk but in reality it is fine.

I am, I’ll look it up thank you!
I hope it is that simple and we just have to ride it out.