Breastfeeding/pumping help
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Feel free to message me. My LB is 3 weeks old now too. We started off breastfeeding exclusively, on our day 5 check he has lost too much weight so we went back into hospital for 24hrs to rehydrate and figure out a feeding schedule that worked for us. He struggled to latch to the breast. I started by offering the breast and pumping and topping up with breastmilk. We continued to struggle with the breast and we were getting upset each time and I was starting to dread feeding instead of loving it as bonding. I decided to stop putting him on the breast and just exclusively pump now and feed him breastmilk via a bottle. It took me some time to build up my supply so had to supplement with formula for a few days while I built up a supply of breastmilk in the fridge then switched back to just breast milk. I was advised by my health visitor not to mix breast milk and formula because they digest differently. But you can give formula at one feed then the next feed can be breastmilk.
Please have a feeding assessment with an IBCLC (lactation consultant) if you can. You can’t really match their expertise. My recommendation is below, but there are many great ones. If local, even better. You are still sooo early PP. This phase is HARD! Wishing you all the best https://www.instagram.com/lucywebberfeedingsupport_ibclc?igsh=MWc5czlueHg3Z3Zycg==
Was your baby checked for tongue tie? I pumped and topped baby up until weight was looking good and latch improved. Crazy how quickly they tell you to supplement with formula... It takes breastfeeding 6-8 WEEKS to establish. It took me and my little girl the full 8 weeks. Your baby needs to feed frequently (every 2-3h) day and night. The first two months are rough and my baby wasn't gaining as much weight as they wanted her to either and the pressure of it all really stressed me out as a ftm. What I've learned from this though, is that as long as your baby is gaining they're alright. The first weeks are so stressful, you focus on feeding your baby and all will be well
Generally speaking baby is better at getting milk out than a pump. If you haven't already then speak to a lactation consultant and a tongue tie specialist (doctors and midwives don't always spot them). I'd also try pumping at the end of every feed (not sure when exactly you're pumping atm). You might not get very much if LO has taken a good amount for their feed, but it will give your body the message that it needs to produce more. Anything you do get can be used to top up after the next feed. Night feeds are really important for upping your supply, so ideally make sure you're pumping then too. I think it's something like 1am-3am that's supposed to be most effective
I did exactly as @Katie wrote
Yes early on I supplemented with formula while I exclusively pumped for a couple days to get my milk supply up It may help to make mixed bottles (breast milk and formula). When i make mixed bottles I do abt half and half