Breast-feeding and formula feeding support

Clear milk?

I’m 6 weeks PP and was EBF but over the last few days I’ve started to try combi feeding due to a number of reasons but I’ve noticed that the milk in the hakaa and after I pump is so white and nearly clear. It doesn’t look like normal milk. I’ve only dropped 2 feeds so far and still breastfeeding the rest of the time. For the whole 6 weeks baby girl has never been satisfied with the boob and feeds for an hour and a half - 2 hours, kicks and flails about, cries and I would have to top her up expressed milk even after that long feed. This is one of the reasons for starting to wean to formula. Does anyone know why I would have mostly clearish milk and why baby girl mightn’t ever have been satisfied? I went to BF clinic and they checked for a tongue tie which she doesn’t have. I have to use shields because she never latched to me - would this be a reason?
I’m so confused and feel really stressed I’m doing it all wrong 😭 x

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Can you post a picture?

It’s said that the first bit of milk is supposed to have more hydration in it?

Baby is cluster feeding, that’s normal. She’s feeding a lot and for long stretches to get your body to produce what she needs.

If she’s gaining weight and producing wet/soiled diapers, she’s eating enough.

That sounds like foremilk ! Do you get engorged easily ? Produce a little more than the baby needs ?

This is also around the time we start stabilizing with our supply and breastmilk can sometimes be different colors ! I would definitely talk to an IBCLC asap to ease your mind and get answers 💜

I’m going to assume it’s foremilk. We have foremilk and hindmilk, the foremilk is pretty clear and hind milk is white like you would expect to see. Do you massage your breasts before pumping/feeding? It could be why little one seems more fussy on the breast too. Could also be a poor latch

My haaka tends to pull more fore milk out as it doesn’t really stimulate more than one let down for me!

It's because although the haakaa is a pump and it does more than collect let down, it's not as powerful as an electric pump and can't pull out as much

Here's some info on haakaas from Lactation Consultants

https://www.instagram.com/reel/CjznFkFjTkk/?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

https://www.instagram.com/tv/CXTCJs2A1D4/?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

https://www.instagram.com/p/CiFHgoQg6Q6/?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

You might be better off using a more powerful pump

Also behaviour at the breast isn't indicative of your supply. You perhaps need to see a Lactation Consultant to address your concerns, but these might help

This is how you know if they're getting enough
https://www.instagram.com/reel/CXixedrAd-E/?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

This explains why babies take a bottle after a feed and why it doesn't mean they were hungry
https://www.instagram.com/p/C0KWXZptI4D/?igsh=OTZtamVicGIzNWd4

Here's some info on low supply
https://www.instagram.com/tv/CW7-AZPgGyw/?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

https://www.instagram.com/p/CXecTBVgu6E/?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

Be mindful of the top up trap if feeding formula or expressed milk
https://www.instagram.com/p/CEHSz6FgEV8/?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA

Info on cluster feeding
https://www.instagram.com/tv/CWyEGMEAA2A/?igshid=Y2IzZGU1MTFhOQ==

https://www.instagram.com/tv/CV-TYfBAt7H/?igshid=Y2IzZGU1MTFhOQ==

this! Babies will eat what you put in front of them. And babies cry at the breast to up your milk supply for baby

thank you so much for all of the resources 💕

Thank you all for the advice 💕 still going and hopefully I can figure out the issues soon x

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