No support and weaning after 4 weeks :(

[Kazbah]

PinkLilly - you're currently exclusively BFing, right? This is what my GP tells me to check for:

* weight gain (200g/week is in my mind for some reason?)
* alert baby (any lethargy worries him)


With your nipple, is it oddly coloured? Have you been checked for Nipple Vasospasms? I have this and it's really bad when nipples are cracked. It's got sharp shooting pains and they are also reactive to cold - I have to keep my breasts warm!!

I *do* have a low supply due to a breast reduction. But I can feel the milk ducts and the milk in them, and that's after medication. There are lots of things you can do to check for "low supply" issues. I strongly recommend you source and read "the breastfeeding mothers' guide to making more milk" which is available on the ABA website and libraries.

I comp feed my now 9-week-old with formula after a feed. I offer him (now) 120mls, I think I was told to offer him 90mls after a feed. And to express to stimulate supply. But my baby was lethargic and not gaining weight. I drink no-alcohol beer (coopers - available in the soft drink aisle of the supermarket) and eat 6-8 lactation cookies / day. I take 8 motillum/day and blessed thistle / fenugreek as well. All this was suggested by a lactation consultant.

If you're feeling not right about weaning, then don't. Put him on the boob and then FF to top him up - with a cup if you can is recommended so he doesn't get "lazy" and prefer the bottle to your boobs.
Call or join the ABA. Our local group has meetings fortnightly and you don't need to be a member (not sure if this is for every ABA group though?) to attend. Good luck

ETA: re the poo. My DS2 will do a good green toothpaste pretty much each day. And his poo in in 2 distinct different types - the FF (green from the iron) and then the BM part (baby-poo yellow and more .. liquidy?) however he will have the fats from my BM in his toothpaste-textured FF poo as well.
The BM poos only come about every 3 days or so, it's so interesting to see that the BM fats are sent out more often than the BM waste. (sorry, I think I spend too much time analysing poo!!!)