Tell me it is going to be ok BF related

[melsamoony]

I posted a little over a week ago about DS losing weight due to reflux and having to start supplementing. He has started to regain the weight and we saw lactation to see if there was anything we needed to do on the breastfeeding side. It turns out DS was working so hard to get milk because my supply had tanked because of his reflux that he was burning more calories than he was consuming.

The LC has me bottle feeding him either breast milk or formula before offering the breast to ensure he has the calories he needs to feed. I am only allowed to let him feed for as long as he is feeding well, which isn't long (5 minutes max), then we bottle feed again til he is full and I pump at every feeding. Apparently I have a slow flow so I have to do compressions but it doesn't seem to be helping.

I guess I am just looking for stories of people who have been through this and had success. I am working hard and I just want to see that there is hope.

[cricketwife]

I had an issue where at about 4 weeks we realized that DS who had been gaining weight was losing weight b/c he wasn't removing enough milk. I had to pump for a while and then pump and supplement. I can tell you that it WILL be okay! Your baby will be fed. You can pump for as long as you have the grace for it. Are you able to have your DS feed more frequently, even if it's just 5 minutes? That will help your supply. Try not to feel like supplementing is a failure (I don't know if you feel that way, but it's a common feeling). You are doing everything to feed your baby. You are both doing great!

[melsamoony]

Yea we are feeding frequently and I have a hospital grade pump that I am renting to help increase supply. Fortunately I already worked through the supplementation feelings of failing so that is behind me.