@Celecia I was having latching issues once I left the hospital for some reason. Baby is latching good now, but same as you, I don’t feel as though I’m able to pump enough at the rate this baby wants to eat lol. Although they do say our bodies produce the exact amount baby needs, it’s still frustrating 😩 I’ve been on TikTok and IG trying to find ways to increase supply.
I gave up on pumping and breastfeeding. When I was in the hospital, my son was admitted to NICU so I couldn’t even breastfeed or do skin to skin for the first 24 hours. 😢 my supply took forever to come in too. I only have my husband to help me out and my sister in law sometimes. I had to choose to get stuff done in the house, sleep or pump. I was only pumping 1-2 oz a day :(. I also feel guilty, but my son has gained back his birth weight , so don’t feel guilty if at some point you have to formula feed
I felt more guilty that my milk was making my baby upset- super fussy, always gassy, not sleeping well. When we switched to formula full time was when he finally seemed happy! Lol my pumps are like once a day for maybe 2oz now😅
I had to supplement with formula some too - I am able to get a decent amount pumping now and latching is improving, but I still supplement maybe one feeding a day with formula. I felt SO guilty at first like I was failing my baby, but at the end of the day as long as you’re getting them fed - that’s what matters! The fact that you even feel guilty about it just shows how much you love and want the best for them, but there is absolutely nothing wrong with/no shame in supplementing!
I'm so glad to hear other mamas are experiencing the same as I. My 6 week old baby was admitted to the NICU when born, and latching was challenging. Had to bf and pump, and finally introduced combo feed with formula because supply was up and down. Then, I discovered that bf / pumping was causing extreme dry skin (eczema flare-ups) throughout my body like fire ants and bed sores (inflamed ulcers) all over my legs. So, I just pump once a day now, barely collecting 2 oz, but my skin has improved tremendously. I cried so much thinking how terrible I was for not being able to keep up with baby and exclusively bf. Many women have told me formula is perfectly fine and provides exactly what baby needs so I am relieved to hear other women here are in the same boat.
I feel extremely guilty about formula feeding as well.. but my baby has been refusing to latch lately. I do pump his milk but he’s only getting about 8 oz of breast milk a day.. and the rest is formula 😭