Rant because I need people who understand 😭

I have just started to try and exclusively breastfeed my son of 12 weeks. He just started successfully latching within the last week or so. I breastfeed while we’re at home and pump at work. Last night at about 12:30 he woke up hungry, I attempted to breastfeed him for about 30 minutes, he ate for 15 and spent the rest of the time playing with my nipple. I have in and gave him a bottle of formula. While feeding him I just sat there and cried. This is probably going to be my only baby I give birth to and my only breastfeeding journey. And I feel like I’m failing.
I barely pump 4 oz a day at work, which isn’t enough to send to daycare for him. It takes me weeks to build up a decent amount. I pump every 2-3 hours. I’ve tried the power pumping. Ive tried pumping after nursing and only get drops. I’ve been trying the supplements. I’ve been hydrated. I eat as much as my body allows me to. I sleep as much as I can. I stay as stress free as I can. I’ve tried different foods. My flange sizes are correct and my pump parts get changed regularly. Nothing works to get my supply up. Why has my body failed me?

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This is me too. No matter what I do, I’m lucky to even get 5ml out of a pump. I’m now on medication to try and increase supply and there’s no real difference.

Maybe visit your GP and see if they can prescribe you domperidone. Might work better for you if you are still actively pumping.

I’ve succumbed to the fact that baby is mixed feed and every day I can see him slowly moving away from the breast. It’s so depressing. And stressing about it makes it worse!

But Hang in there mama. If you’ve only just started to get the latch good, your baby will get better at removing milk and increase your supply. Try to latch on each side as much as possible before topping up. And if he’s not complaining, then maybe he’s had enough for now?

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Is domperidone like reglan? I’m seeing my doctor in 10 days to discuss risks and benefits of reglan. She’s hesitant to prescribe it because of another medication I’m already on.

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breastfeeding is hard. not everyone can do it or can do it for long. It's okay if your body isn't producing enough. You are not failing or doing anything wrong. I would just keep trying. Coconut milk helps too. If you swicth to formula it's okay. The fact that you are trying is all that matters. If you chose to stop breastfeeding you are still a amazing mother. I will say though if you stop and try to do it again it will be hard. Do what you feel is best for you but also don't feel like you have to breastfeed to be a good mother. You are a amazing mother if chose to breastfeed or formula.

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Please remember this is literally why formula was invented!

Sometimes for no apparent reason our bodies just can't produce enough.

By all means explore the possible reasons (diet, weight, fluid intake, etc.) But genuinely sometimes there is nothing you can do to change it. And if that's the case you have nothing to feel guilty about!

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looks like it’s different. Your GP should be able to advise.

Btw, maybe you’re not seeing much in the pump because baby is feeding well. The pump is a terrible indicator of milk supply.

Either way you are doing amazing, and know that you are doing everything you can. Try to relax as much as you can, do some skin to skin and just bond with baby.

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did the meds work x

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yes, it does somewhat. But you gotta keep latching and feeding and stay hydrated. And if you’re pumping it helps. I notice that when I don’t take it regularly, there’s definitely a drop.

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