Breastfeeding with "no milk supply"

[TripleESept24]

Hi All,

My daughter is 15 weeks old. I started off EBF, but at around 3.5 weeks old she got taken into hospital due to weight loss of around 15%.

I tried so hard to express and increase my milk supply but there just wasn't enough. I could barely get anything out of a pump or hand expressing, and she went onto formula at 3.5 weeks old.

She still likes to go to the breast though! Its a comfort thing, she will fall asleep on it for naps. Is she still actually getting anything from it though? when I squeeze my nipples only the tiniest little droplets appear now. Has anyone else had this and carried on putting them to the breast even though there isn't really any milk supply?! If so how long did you still have them going to the boob?

Sounds silly but should I still worry about the intake of alcohol/medication and I wanted to have my Botox again etc 🙈🤣

If she likes it for comfort then carry on. Think of it as a portable tool when she's crying and you run out of ideas! I combi fed for 7 months.

It's possible that as she's grown bigger her latch has improved so now she's managing to get more out. What you can hand or machine express won't give you any indication of how much milk you have. If you want to continue combi feeding then go for it! She will still get anti bodies etc from a small amount of breast milk that she won't get from formula. You could see a bf consultant if you want to build your supply. If you don't want to continue bf at all that's completely valid too.

There will still be benefits from a tiny amount of milk. Antibodies etc. So it's not pointless.

But if you want to stop that fine too

How much you manage to express isn't a great indication of your supply. Some women can't express anything but are exclusively breastfeeding.

If baby is getting comfort from it and you're happy enough then why stop? She'll be getting antibodies from it and likely getting more milk than you realise. The way to build a supply is to feed so feeding regularly throughout the day is likely increasing your supply too.

Thanks everyone I will definitely carry on whilst she takes it and is getting comfort from it!