I really wanted to exclusively BF my baby but after 3 weeks it's not working out well.

It was hard work at first but I thought we were getting the hang of it. There were a couple of days last week where she was feeding all the time but I put that down to cluster feeding.

The last 3 days I haven't been able to put her down, she's been almost constantly feeding or crying to be fed (apart from the odd few hours here and there when she's asleep). Again I put this down to cluster feeding but thought that was only supposed to last a day or so? Anyway, it's been getting me down and last night my OH told me we should give her some formula as she clearly wasn't getting enough and it wasn't doing her any good to be deprived. She took the formula well and slept really well last night so now I feel that I've been letting her down by persevering with BF.

I expressed a couple of times last week but only managed to get about 50ml which we gave her - she had no problem taking this. When I tried to express yesterday I couldn't get anywhere near that much.

I thought your supply was supposed to adjust to your baby? Am I running out? Is there anything I can do, other than letting her feed all the time?

THey go through a growth spurt at 3 weeks hun. Have a look here for more info http://www.kellymom.com/bf/normal/growth-spurt.html It's totally normal for her to be feeding a lot like this, she's just getting your supply to catch up with her. Don't give up, you can get through this.

This sounds like a classic growth spurt and is completely normal. When they need more milk, they let you know a little bit in advance so your body knows to make more milk.

Breastfeeding works on a demand and supply basis where you make enough in response to your baby's needs and they only way they have to tell you to make more milk is to demand more frequent nursing. Think of it as baby putting in an advance order. I found that the best way to get through it is to accept that when they are going through a growth spurt, they will be feeding very frequently and that helped stop me getting frustrated.

It will die down and get easier again.

^what marley said^ i remember having days like this, when it feels like its just not working, it is so hard when all it feels like your doing is feeding the baby, but stick with it, it does get easier and for me it was like someone flicked a switch in my baby one day i was ready to give it all up then all of a sudden she just changed and it all become so easy. u are allowed to have down days hun, but stick with it because before long the good days will far out number the bad x

i only get between 20 and 50 ml when i express, and this is only if i leave my boobs to fill for a couple of hours usually when los sleeping at night. I wouldnt worry about amount as if yr baby wants more theyll demand more, eventually- im hoping the amount will increase to what some womem have like a couple of oz or atleast 150ml would b nice but that im guessing takes time! if baba is putting on weight then dont worry.

My OH also wanted me to give in and get formula and also made a comment similar to yrs. wel actually he sed; lets just go and get some proper milk- but this was only because i was crying and getting super stressed and lo wanted to be permanently attached to the boob. I later researched and yes it was a growth spurt and now he feeds fine. im glad i persevered with it and apparently it gets better after 6 weeks, so im counting the days for that! x

I remember the 7/8 week growth spurt - I sat on the sofa one day, watched the entire first series of The Office AND the two Christmas Specials. It was exhausting and it felt like no matter what I did, he wasn't getting enough. Then, after a few days, it was over. My milk supply had caught up, and he was satisfied once again.

Try not to supplement though - the only way your body knows to make more, is if LO suckles. It will pass, I promise.

Don't worry that you're not able to express much, neither can I and I thought I was running out of milk, but turns out my milk supply is fine, but the pump just can't get as much milk as my lo manages too. So, don't let that worry you.

Thanks everyone, I really appreciate your advice

It helps knowing that this is normal and will pass - I will persevere and hopefully it'll ease off in a day or two.