Breastfeed vs FM

Question

My LO is 1m+. Ive had troubles latching my baby. He fussed at the boob everytime and always had a bad shallow latch. I then decided to exclusively pump. However, milk supply is low and i have to supplement with formula. I find myself almost always busy pumping and washing parts that i feel like i dont spend enough time with baby. I feel like a milking cow. :( also having breast and nipple pain (suspect thrush) :( The low Milk supply seems not worth it for me to spend very little time with baby. Any advise/ opinions? Am i incompetent to feed formula entirely? Ive bought so many lactation cookies, drinks, extra pumping parts, etc. itll be all to waste. And i know ill regret not having that bond with him.  :( im very torn now. ##advicepls #formulamilk #breastfeeding

Mummy C · Accepted Answer

Hi mummy, my baby is currently 3 weeks old. As my baby’s bite is too strong hence I stopped BF. I’m an EP mom now. My supply in the beginning was always 20~40ML both sides. (I’m only able to pump baby’s demand) My supply increased after I had a breast massage. I went from 40ML max to 80~90ML on one side. I’m also pumping 5~6hourly(20~30 mins each side) as 3 hourly is too taxing for me. I do give my baby formula & EBM thru out the day. (I monitor her timings & feeds. Formula when I know she’s not gonna finish her usual intake as I don’t want to waste my ebm.) You might want to try drinking more water, breast massage (mine was Mdm Ida on fb) consistent pumping be it the amount. I pump when she’s asleep, and if she’s awake for feeding, I’ll wash the parts after her feed. Don’t be too hard on yourself, bf or fm, as long as baby is fed and healthy, either one is fine. :)

Anonymous · Answer

Im also torn whether to stop bf as well. She has been mixed fm n bm for some time now. But she has recently started at ifc and i have also gone back to work. No doubt some days i am wfh but i find myself pumping n pumping, washing n washing that i feel so lazy n tired now. My output is low n cannot match my ger demand at all. I agree wif the previous post that drinking water actually does help, at least it did for me. At night i will wake up pump (mayb 2-4, depending) after going to bed at 12 n last pump at 10. Very tiring… my output for usual 3h can only max bring me to 80/90ml but usually doesnt happen 😅😅 and my boobs clog really v easily.. i didnt latch after few wks from birth as my baby is very impatient!! I also feel i haven spent enuf time wif my ger when she was still home.. every time she sleeps i have to speed up and pump awhile..