I agree with the others hun, it is totally normal and really does get better .

Well we've now succumbed and started combining breast and formula. I'd feed him for about an hour across both sides, he'd fall asleep and fall off the boob, then wake up crying for more. The pain made me not want to put him back on again, and I've now realised he was never latched on right.
My left nipple is bleeding so I'm expressing that by hand and I'm expressing the right with a pump.
Getting about 1oz per breast.
I'm going to a bfn support on Monday where hopefully they can show me correct latch on the working boob.
I'm so gutted tho, and OH is feding him now so if I can use bf again, he won't be too confused.
Feel like such a failure - I managed to support this LO for 9 months and now I can't even feed him
I'm now worried I'll never bond with LO, /i feel like I;ve been dumped

I hope you get the help you need at the group on Monday. I found that no-one is really forthcoming in helping with BF'ing, you have to go out there and find it yourself. If you are determined to carry on just keep on seeking help with the latch etc from anyone that will give it until you get there. I spoke with the La Leche league, the breastfeeding network and a local NCT councillor and all were great and really helpful (numbers are all on the internet).

Im sure you will be able to go back to BF'ing, if you want, once you get the latch sorted. Most of all though you shouldn't feel like a failure. You are obviously trying really hard to BF but you also want to do what is best for your baby and if giving a bottle is that you are doing the right thing.

All I can say is that it honestly does get easier. My LO fed constantly for about 2-3 weeks. Each feed took about 2 hours. My nipples were bleeding so much that I dreaded every feed and cried through them. Its taken a while but now at 9 weeks I am BF'ing happily and actually starting to enjoy it. I know that seems a really long way off at the moment but it does suddenly just "click"

I also found these websites really helpful http://www.drjacknewman.com/
http://www.kellymom.com/

Let us know how you get on
xx

Thanks for your support - I'm really looking forward to this clinic tomorrow, I hope someone will be able to sit with me and get it sorted, so I know how to do it when I get home.
I find it really annoying that everyone, government, doctors, healthcare profs etc, are all so keen for us to bf, but the support is quite few and far between, you really have to hunt for it and then wait - my nearest la leche is once a month and I've just missed it! Although couldn't have got there as I can't drive yet anyway! I want someone to come out to me but that just isn't available.

Sounds like you've had some great advice but just want to say that for the first two weeks my lo fed constantly from around 7pm to 4am. My boobs killed and I dreaded him latching on. After this time though something clicked sometimes it still hurts but nowhere near like it did at the start and we are starting to get some sleep! Your body does start getting used to it though. I now love bf xx

Poor you, what a rough start! You are NOT a failure - your care givers are the ones that have failed.... they have failed to support you! You've had a set back, but you can still do it and it WILL get better and easier.

To help with the latch, have you tried stripping both of you down to the skin, laying back and putting LO tummy to mummy between your boobs and letting her root and find the breast herself? It might take time, so start ahead of when you expect her to be hungry, so that both of you can relax and not be frustrated. The skin to skin contact alone will help HUGELY - honestly, trust me... it does something to the hormones or something and it makes you both FEEL BETTER. You will no longer feel "dumped".

Here is a video of the breastcrawl:



Here is a video of The Latch:



Your baby is never suckling at empty breasts, truly. Breasts are always making milk, so they are never "empty". When there's not a lot in there it can be frustrating for LO to wait for the let down, and this can be worsened by using bottles because they are so much "easier" to feed from. The way to fix it is to not let LO go a long stretch without offering a feed. (In your shoes I'd probably stick a max. of 2 hrs between feeds during the day, and setting it up so you can co-sleep safely and offer unlimited boobie access at night... I'm no professional, that's just my gut speaking!) If you try to wait to let your boobs "fill up" more... it only signals to your body that LO needs LESS, and in the long run, your supply drops. The more often they suckle, the better your supply.

Since you've supplemented with formula, I'd be looking at getting some fenugreek to encourage your supply... raspberry leaf tea/tablets might also help... Oatmeal is said to be good for milk production, so porridge for breakfast, and as many flapjacks as you can eat without being sick.... Drink plenty and sleep whenever you can. Fatigue and dehydration are your worst enemies when it comes to increasing your milk supply!!

Good luck at the clinic... You can do this!