Anybody having problem with breast milk? :-(

[Sweet211]

Hi ladies my baby is 4 weeks today and I had a c section I had trouble with baby latching on then I bought the nipple sheild which worked and she latched on but I'm not producing breast milk which is strange don't know if it's because I have PCOS. I'm taking the fenugreek capsules to help with milk flow. I'm really upset i feel like a bad mother I feel that my baby is missing out on all the nutrient and vitamins. Has anyone else struggled?

Few questions... Are you feeding on demand? If so, how often is she feeding? How much milk are you actually producing?

Is your little girl gaining weight & having lots of wet & dirty nappies?

How do you know you aren't producing milk?

I'm putting her on Breast before bottle feeds and I can't see milk coming out and yes she has wet and dirty nappies

First of all and most importantly, you are not a bad mother, you are doing a brilliant job.

Have you had baby checked for tongue tie? That can really affect latch and being able to suck milk from the breast. Your midwife should be able to help with a referral, if you have been discharged from the midwife then your GP.

If you can access one, a lactation consultant will be really helpful - they will be able to check latch (possibly also for tongue tie) and give you some advice about increasing your supply. Pumping / expressing can help to get your supply up and they will be able to help you with this. There are some available on the NHS and some privately if this is an option.

Breastfeeding is great if you can do it, some of us unfortunately can't despite trying as hard as we can and that's ok. I had a very similar experience to you and in my case (I am not saying this will happen to you) my milk never came in.

I am absolutely not saying you should give up trying if you want to persevere as that decision is completely up to you. I am saying that if you want to continue to combi feed indefinitely or move to formula then it doesn't make you a bad mother, situations like ours are exactly the circumstances where formula is needed. And I am only saying this because I wish someone would have said it to me when I was in your position!

Good luck with everything OP.

My milk has come!!! Health visitor came today my milk flow is a bit slow so hired out a electric breast pump I've got a manual one

Electric pumps are way better than manual - hopefully this will be the start for you op!

Best of luck!