Congrats on your new baby. It can be a hard gig keeping up your supply when you are expressing for your baby. Many mothers find that, although they face challenges in the early days with breastfeeding that makes expressing and bottle feeding seem a better option, it is usually possible, with some skilled help from a lactation consultant, to get your baby feeding from the breast, and in the long run this makes feeding a lot easier.
If you want to, feel free to tell us a bit more about how breastfeeding has gone for you.
When babies breastfeed, they generally feed at least 8-12 times per day from the breast. This is quite different to 3-4hrly. It might be worth expressing more often, even for a few days to increase your supply. Another issue is the equiptment you are using. Breastpumps aint necessarily breastpumps. No pump will drain the breast as well as the baby would. But some are better than others. For the early days, until your supply is established I would suggest a hospital grade hire pump such as you can hire from the Australian Breastfeeding Association. Then later you might buy a good quality electric pump.
On the baby side of things, you may find it helpful to "pace" feedings. Use a slower flow teat. Stop halfway through the feed. Give her a burp and then give her the rest of her feed. Slowing down the feed will give her tummy the time to get the signal that it is full.
Babies are hardwired to suck, and breastfeeding provides an elegant ****tail for the baby. Food, obviously, but also, breastfeeding also releases hormones in the baby that allow her to relax and become sleepy and and enzymes to assist digestion. So food is not the only reason for a baby to feed. When the baby feeds at the breast, the breast maybe relatively empty, but baby will still be content to suck for these other reasons. For a baby who isn't breastfeeding, a dummy may be helpful to fulfil her need for this extra sucking.
Hi. There isn't much I can add to what Barb said. But if there is an issue with your supply you could try the lactation cookies (there is a thread on these) to boost your supply. Also, my sister had some issues with supply and was advised by an ABA person to feed 5 mins a side then on the 4th time feed as long as need. (eg. 5mins left, 5 mins right, 5 mins left and feed as long as bubs wanted on right). I'm not sure, but perhaps this could help also.
You're doing a great job, expressing is hard work. I had to do this for DD when she was in SCN. I hope things improve for you. Congratulations also on you precious baby.
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