Am I failing?

@Sarah I so appreciate you. We tried all of those things and none worked with him - he would just snooze and then want to eat again 20 minutes later!!! I will definitely try again though, can’t hurt!

If he can latch and you're happy to, try pumping on one side while he feeds on the other. I get more pumping like that as each side helps the other let down, then I switch sides when she's done with the first side. It may also be because he slept so well last night I assume you didn't pump last night. The milk producing hormone is higher at night and I was told 'puts in the order' for the day. You are also not failing! Pumping can be so demoralising but baby is far more effective at getting milk that a pump, so know that if you breastfeed baby will get more than you pump. My LG falls asleep while feeding all the time - tickle in and around the ear, hands and feet, pull away slightly, cough, stroke cheek. All things that seem to get my LG to go again most of the time even if she's still pretty much asleep. I change or check her nappy after she's fallen asleep and come off the first side too - if she's full she'll stay asleep, if not she'll stir and I can go again on opposite sides.

You've got this - feeding your baby is not failing, no matter how you feed them 💖

Have you tried the mother milk tea? It helped me and eating overnight outs every day. Stay hydrated. I also have a 8 week baby and I only pump I formula feed 2-3 bottles at night and then pump in the morning so I don’t pump from 10:30pm-9:00 am then at 9:30 I pump and get 7-8 oz combined I do use the wearable pumps I put them on for 20 min then rest 10 and then on again 10 and rest 10 and on again and that’s how I make that amount. During the day I get 3.5-4 oz as well so I pump for 20 min and rest 10 and pump for another 10. I pump every 3 hrs. He eats every 2 hrs sometimes when I don’t have enough I give him 1 bottle of formula. Sorry so long hope it helps

@Carys the pump I have is awful at one sided pumping, but I’m getting a new one for Mother’s Day that seems like it’ll be much better so I will definitely try that again! He’s so bad at staying awake with BF I’m cluster feeding him all day which has just been terrible on me mentally. I’m going to keep going though because I love being this close to him, it’s incredible!

@Flower I have not but I can! I’m supplementing when I can but formula isn’t really in the budget for us which is why I was really trying to make breastfeeding/pumping work for when I got back to work and need to leave him with my mom during the day.

@Bridget i totally understand it’s not cheap I try to make enough milk to only purchase formula 1 can a month I have 4 kids and it gets costy

I had this same problem, even with lactation support. I ended up looking on FB for donors! I get free breastmilk from overproducing mother's for my baby and mix it with gentle goat milk formula. I remember I had to stop pumping because every two-3 hours would be a reminder that I'm not producing enough when I pump. It was terrible on my mental health. I felt SO much better after deciding to just be done with it. You will figure this out.

You're not failing. I had to quit breastfeeding because I wasn't making enough, my baby was having latching issues, and every time I fed or pumped my BP would drop so low I'd get dizzy and I couldn't walk in a straight line. It was safer for my baby and I, that I switched to formula. She lost a pound because of the issues I was having and with the formula she gained well over that pretty quick. If you have to supplement or even do both, your baby is fed, healthy, and happy, and that's all you can wish for as a mom. You're doing great!

Have you tried adding papaya and seaweed to your diet? In some Asian countries the postpartum nannies prepare some for every meal to increase supply and boost milk quality. Also how long has he been taking 4oz a feeding? It might just be your body hasn’t adjusted yet to his new routine. From what I’ve read babies don’t require more milk as they get bigger. It’s the same volume but instead of 8-12 feeds a day as newborns it’s more milk at once 4-5x a day and gradually less feeds with more milk as they get older until they begin solids and start weaning. Don’t worry. You’re doing great and your body is doing what it’s meant to. I really wish that there was more info on breastfeeding before giving birth. I feel so few moms are really prepared which is why so few make it to six months. 😢

I’m currently going through the same thing when I first brought him home I was making enough to feed him now he eats like 5oz per feeding I make 5oz when I pump but not so many times during the day I pump like 5 or 6 times but I only make 2 or three oz after my first big pump I’ve tried giving him formula he hates it and will literally gag he’s a month and half old and getting bigger and eating more frequently I’m so lost so you are not alone mama we definitely have to try to stay sane and keep going and not stress out to much

I wish I could get 90ml each pump. I'm 4 weeks pp and get 20 to 40 ml per pump.

@Vencecea this!! I’m so glad to see I’m not alone but not happy you’re going through it too. We’re going to get through, I just know it. We can do this!

@Carmen I was like that at one point too. I know it’s not fun but if you can breastfeed, breastfeed, breastfeed! It tells your body to make more. BUT if it’s not a priority, do not go crazy. You are the best momma when you’re at your best. I’ve learned this the hard way. You’ve got this!

@Renee you just made me order sushi for dinner! 4 oz for the last two weeks which is crazy but he’s in the 96th percentile so I shouldn’t be too surprised. That’s such good info to hear, I wish we could all make it that long!

@Nana this is great info, thank you❤️

@Laura Boyd you are so strong mama!! Your LO is so lucky to have you ❣️

I am going through the same. Except that I am 5 weeks pp and I can’t pump more than 1.5 oz. You are not failing. We are doing what we can and that’s ok. 🤍

Hey Mama, same here! My baby is 8 weeks old drinking the same amount as your baby and due to pain I started lacking with my schedule of pumping and when I got back to it i wasn’t producing like I was before. This is what’s working for me. I bought these pills which are natural/organic called pumpingmom and I’m taking 2 in the morning and two at night. And in about a week or two I have seen the progress!!!! Of course with a strict pumping schedule every 3 hours for 30 mins

@Katia Bennett you’re so right mama, we’ve got this!

@Alanis I am looking those up right now! It’s so hard to keep a strict schedule tbh but I know that’s what makes pumping successful.

@Bridget I complete understand cause that’s why I mainly messed up my produce, I stopped pumping on a schedule ☹️

This is exactly my situation:( I make just 3oz everytime I pump and she eats 4.5 oz every 3-4 hours I never latched but I feel horrible that sometimes I need to feed her formula especially cause we can’t find one that hasn’t made her constipated 😞 I want to quit pumping all together cause it’s just been so hard on me mentally but I want her to get all there nutrients she can. She’s 5 weeks

@Andreena I totally hear you mama, but you’re doing amazing. Pumping is so thankless!! You have to do what’s best for you mentally too, she needs you at your best. I have heard that goats milk formula can help with constipation but I have no clue on price, etc. sending you lots of love❤️