Hi Blondie,

My DS is 4.5months old. For most of that time I've been exclusively expressing. He wasn't interested in feeding at birth, had a few health issues, tongue tie, attachment issues, a LC consultant who took days to return my call etc and it was really doing my head in and I think I was close to getting PND as I really wanted to BF. However DS needed nourishment and I was getting enough through expressing to provide him with his requirements, though I was constantly stressed about this. In the early days he occassionally had formula top-ups if I didn't have enough but for the last 3 months I'd say he's been exclusively fed on EBM. I did take maxilon and then Fenugeek to help with supply.

I still feel envious of those who 'direct' BF, but at the same time I'm proud I've been able to do this and have stuck at it when it really does take dedication and time especially in the early days. I would say now it's getting easier as I can skip a session here and there and still have enough milk for DS. Initially I was expressing from both breasts after every feed considering if he was direct BF I'd be emptying my breasts anyway. I still do both breasts each time but I am now able to skip the odd session and still have enough for my DS's daily feeds. My only thing is I only have a single pump and it is very time consuming for me. I'm thinking of getting a double pump so it's quicker - perhaps my Christmas present to myself and my DS.

At the top of the area you posted this thread is a sticky called "Exclusive Expressers". It has a lot more information from those who have 'been there and done that'. It may be worth a read to help guide you in your decision.

Good luck. I still wish I'd been successful in attaching and 'direct' BF but with DS it seems it wasn't meant to be, so for me this is second best.