Looking for encouragement, hope & success stories after an 8-week breastfeeding break ❤️

My baby is 8 weeks old and was born via C-section. My recovery was extremely difficult, to the point where I physically couldn’t lift my baby properly to breastfeed. We eventually had to start formula.

Once I came home, I tried getting her to latch. Her latch was actually quite strong, but I was experiencing chest pain and would sometimes pass out, so I had no choice but to stop.

I then tried expressing with my Momcozy pump, but after 20 minutes I was barely getting 20 ml altogether. I became extremely discouraged, especially with all the family pressure, questions and blame. Eventually, I completely stopped pumping.

I’ve carried so much mum guilt ever since. I desperately wanted to give my baby my milk, but at the time, my body simply wasn’t in a place where I could do it. It wasn’t a choice I made.

Now, at 8 weeks postpartum, I finally feel much better physically, and I really want to try again. Even if I can only provide some breast milk and we continue combo feeding, I would be happy with that.

I’m just very scared and skeptical that it’s too late. I can still see drops of milk when I press my nipple, so I know I haven’t completely dried up.

I’m currently trying things like brewer’s yeast, lactation teas, oats and a high-protein diet. My baby is also extremely colicky and cries constantly, so using my Spectra is very difficult because I can’t realistically sit there pumping for long periods while she’s crying.

I would really love to hear from mums who were in a similar situation — especially anyone who restarted breastfeeding/pumping around 6–8 weeks (or even later) and managed to increase their supply or get their baby back to the breast.

I need some hope right now. ❤️ I keep thinking that if I don’t try, I’ll regret it forever, and I really don’t want that feeling. At the same time, I’m terrified of trying and failing again.

Also, I currently have one Momcozy pump. Would it be worth buying a second one so I can pump both breasts simultaneously, or at 8 weeks postpartum after such a long break would that be unlikely to make much difference?

And please be kind. I know formula is completely fine, and I’m not judging anyone who formula feeds. I’m just trying to do this because it matters to me personally, and I wish people understood that I didn’t choose to stop breastfeeding — at the time, I physically couldn’t.

I would be so grateful for any encouragement, realistic advice, or success stories. ❤️

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Unfortunately I don't have much to add, and wish you all the best getting going! But go and talk to your health visitor to put you in touch with child dietician/specialist in your area, they can prescribe domperidone for you for a week or so to help with milk output. Might just encourage it along a bit for you x

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I would definitely go to a lactation consultant who may be able to help or give you advice. I really hope it works out for you 🫶🏼

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I had a similar journey - c section, poor latching, minimal output etc. keep going it gets better. Currently combination feeding after seeing my local feeding team a couple of times. I really hope it works out for you xx

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