BF issues with low supply

I wouldn't count it in ml as breastmilk quantity is not as straightforward as in formula. It's different nutrients and more filling. I was advised by lactation specialist to put the little one on the boob hourly and you can ask the hospital for a hospital grade pump and pump at least every 3 hours for maybe up to 1-2 weeks and should get the supply up. Be weary that a lot of the time pumping ends up being so hard that a lot of people start only depending on formula in the end. It is an extra step as you'll be breastfeeding, pumping, washing the parts and also formula feeding and cleaning the bottles. It is a lot. So make sure you only do it for a short time!

If midwives tell you they can't lend it, ask to see the lactation specialist in the hospital, and I'm sure they will lend it out to you if possible. They told me no when I asked, in the most crucial moment and I ended up on formula mostly. Only to then see a lactation/tongue tie specialist when I was mostly formula feeding by then, and she gave it to me. It was too late for me mentally. Best of luck, hope it works!

I found power pumping in the evenings really helped boost my supply! My LO got a cold at 4 weeks and was undiagnosed with Tongue Tie until 9 weeks so I had a very challenging time with the Breast feeding, and we took 9 weeks to get back to birthweight! I’ve been told and I’ve read that babies are much better at emptying the breast, so always keep that in mind. Power pumping works like clusterfeeding and you pump for short amounts over a set amount of time for example 20 minutes pump, 10 minute rest, 10 minute pump, 5 minute rest, 5 minute pump. If you can manage that twice a day for a few days then you should see your supply increase. Not sleeping and being stressed makes a HUGE difference to supply I found in the early days, which is hard with a new baby! I was expressing enough for a feed at first, which meant my partner was giving a bottle whilst I power pumped. Did wonders for me and I hope it works for you to!

I also wouldn’t say my supply is wonderful, but we e had many challenges with BFing. We’re 5 months in and more formula than bottles, but we have poor latch. Ask to see the infant feeding team, or whatever your midwives/Health visitors have. We had someone come to the house to help with a plan to get weight up and to check latch etc. The anxiety of not being back at birthweight and guilt with feeding became mentally too much for me which is why we are doing mostly formula. But I definitely saw an increase in my supply with Power Pumping. Breatsfed babies typically only take 4-5oz per feed as they grow even after 6 months (so ive read and been told) so keep that in mind.

Please don't stress about what you're getting from a pump, there are so many factors that go into it. I found that I had to buy extra flange sizes which helped but not completely. I will still get at most 15mls from 30 mins on wearable pumps and 30mls from 20 mins on hand pump, but I've been able to collect 40mls just by wearing a hakka while feeding. It's a horrible cycle of being stressed because you can't get enough and then your body isn't releasing much because you're stressed. Best thing to help is your baby - lots of feeding/suckling and skin to skin. If you're going to pump, try having them close by, cover the pump so you can't see how much your collecting and be comfortable/do something you enjoy. Oxytocin is key!