Just sat here nodding my head with everything thats been said.

My only query would be... could you feed every hour? i know when H is on a growth spurt she demandns it every hour.

I really dont understand this, its common knowledge that the pump isnt an accurate measurement for how much milk u produce. Hell if i use a manual pump i get a drip, if i use an electric pump i get between half oz to 1 and a half max, if they went on this they wud ave me supplementing from the beginning. Im amased at the mixed advise you can get.

I don't know what to do. I really really don't want to switch to formula but even with supplementing with expressed milk EVERY feed she's becoming a nightmare. When we give her the bottle she cries because it stops so soon (and may calm down a little later when she realises she's full) and when I give her the breast she doesn't have the patience to feed because she's getting used to a bottle.

I SHOULD have followed my instince but I'm so scared my baby will become unwell (and to bring this home, she's gained less than 300g form her birth weight )

I'm so angry at the doctors even though she's been lovely because the stress of last week meant my milk supply went down till Wednesday and then I had two really good days and now t's gone down again because she called to book that second appt a whole week early. Today my milk supply has gone down again because my pumping pattern has changed and because i'm so stressed! I was feeling so good after two solid days of offereing both sides and the occasional top up that iits what I shoudl have stuck to and perghaps if the doctor hadn't called for a quick 2nd appointment then by next friday she may have gained a reasonable amount but it's never going to happen by Tuesday!

I'm miserable. I love breastfeeding. AMongst all the stress and illness I've had postnatally and the stress and prolonged baby blues it's the best part of my day and now it might be taken away form me without me having a genuine shot at it. I had organised my breast feeding really badly and did stupid things like "save" one breast for later which I didn't realise was idiotic at teh time but given a chance I'm sure I could sort this out in a few weeks but obviously at some stage it's going to get dangerous and I just don't know what to do.

I want someone who has knowledge and is certified to KNOW without ANY doubt to tell me she'll be okay and I can have another three weeks to try, if after then I've failed then so be it, but I can't handle giving up now. and also, they should have spotted this earlier and then I could have organised it earlier and people need to stop telling me conflicting things: Feed on demand: feed every three hours to make sure she takes hind milk: feed for 40 mins; feed for as long as she wants: feed for 20 mins: keep her close and carry and co sleep: don't hold her all the time, lie her down often to get exercise: If she's got low weight and isn't gaining its something to worry about as she may have developmental problems: if she has low weight then if she's otherwise fine she will be fine as long as she has such and such healthy symptoms; drink LOADS of water ; don't rink too much water; eat a high calorie diet including high energy and high calorie foods like cakes etc.; eat a healthy balanced diet don't eat junk food.

It's sending me crazy and I just want to be able to feed the love of my life and have her be a healthy and happy baby and not be in any danger.

Have you found a IBCLC like I suggested?

Really sorry but I have no idea what an IBCLC is and I will look at your link but I have to go feed in 3 mins.

Don't worry, sorry for being so firm, I can just see that you are getting lots of advice and it can be a bit overwhelming.

An IBCLC is a International Board Certified Lactation Consultant. They have stringent exams and training programs, and are the most qualified and knowledgable resource for breastfeeding Mums.

You can find one here:
http://www.ilca.org/i4a/pages/index.cfm?pageid=3432

An IBCLC will be able to work with you to find out what the problem is, and help you solve it.

Thanks so much. I called one but she gave me a number of two others and she herself is busy with her kid but it's been nearly an hour and a half so I'm going ot try again now as the other two had answerphones. I tried a La Leche person too. Just seems there are no hard and fast answers. I suppose now I don't even mind supplementing with formula so long as I can go back to breastfeeding. I REALLY want to breastfeed for a year and maybe would be happy with 9 or 10 months and maybe consolable after 6 but with 2 months only I feel awful. My postnatal period hasn't been great and I just want things to settle before my bonding breastfeeding thing has to come to an abrupt end. she's not been latching on great today and I think its a cross between the stress causing a lack of milk and the fact she's gettign a bottle at EVERY feed which means she's getting used to having milk poured down her instead of having to suck for it.

I'm open to getting some formula for a few weeks, maybe one bottle a day to give her the weight gain necessary to give me the time to persist with breastfeeding. Do people think this is a possible option or a slippery slope?

Can I ask what teat you are using? Would you consider using something like this instead:
http://www.expressyourselfmums.co.uk...Nursing-System

Some babies can't tolerate bottles/dummies as well as the breast, so a supplemental nursing system is ideal - you get stimulation too.

i am a lactation consultant. i have refrained from really replying because you have been getting great advice already.
your stress can and seems to be directly affecting your milk and she can feel the stress in you.
as you've said, you have thin people on both sides of your family. this could contribute to her slow weight gain. she IS GAINING. she is not losing, which is a sign of something wrong. as you said there is no medical reason for her slow weight gain. it's just her. she eats, she's gaining. as long as she is producing normal wet nappies, she is fine. there really are no "hard fact answers" in your situation. baby is eating, baby is gaining. you are doing a great job. there is no medical reason to supplement with formula. none at all. SHE IS GOING TO BE FINE.
let her feed how you think you should let her feed. let her drain a boob, offer her the other, if she doesn't want it, pump it. try offering her the boob before she is frantic for food. just offer, why not?
babies go through several growth spurts, some are at predictable ages, some are just random, some take longer to get there.
so again: normal wet nappies+at least some weight gain+normal tempered baby=NORMAL.
less wet napies+weight LOSS= potential problem.

oh and i forgot to recommend this tincture: http://www.motherlove.com/mm5/mercha...oduct_Code=530

it really works, use as directed.