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@macintosh: hugs. Hang in there

We had a lot of issues with breastfeeding until 10-11 weeks, including heavily supplementing until about 8 weeks and a little supplementing throughout his first year (I WOH FT and pumped but didn't always make enough for his daycare bottles so sometimes I kept some formula at daycare just in case).

Fearless formula feeder is amazing, as is Scary Mommy, if you're looking for some formula feeding support.

I went through a lot of emotions with supplementing and our breastfeeding struggles (guilt, anger, exhaustion, frustration, sadness) and I really regret that I was so consumed by all that in the beginning.

Breastfeeding is great and all, but it's not the end all, be all of motherhood. Enjoy your sweet little boy, soak up the snuggles, and be kind to yourself. He doesn't care where his milk comes from, he just cares that mommy and daddy are snuggling him and loving him.

Breastfeeding can be the hardest thing in the world. Big hugs to you mama. You are still very much in the thick of breastfeeding difficulties. For many moms it doesn't get "easy" until 6-8 weeks.
Finding an LC that's helpful can make such a difference.
Supplementing does not make you a bad mom, it makes you an amazing mom that does what she has to do to take care of her family. Taking care of yourself is a big part of that too. If formula gives you time to enjoy your family that you'd otherwise spend pumping and miserable - feed formula!

For recommendations I'd suggest keep up doing what you're doing if it's working but change it up if you need to.

Spending some time skin to skin now will help your supply. Your supply isn't set at this point so you can still increase it now. There are never ending growth spurts around that time too. I've EBFed both my girls and from 1-6 weeks there were days when they were just attached constantly even though my boobs were totally empty. They'd go nuts for more after only 30-45 minutes. It's maddening but completely normal.

Have you tried an SNS so you can feed formula but still give your breasts stimulation?

Baby wearing can increase prolactin levels. Mothers milk tea, fenugreek, blessed thistle, oatmeal can all increase supply. Whenever I feel my supply is low I drink a ton of water and start the day with a bowl of oatmeal (it's what dairy farmers feed cows - and do those ladies ever produce milk!)

How has his weight gain been lately? It's normal to lose some in the beginning. My first lost 12% and we had to stay in the hospital until after my milk came in.

Fenugreek is amazing at increasing supple. And the added bonus of smelling like maple syrup all day.

Don't beat yourself up, mama! You are only 3.5 weeks in to your journey! A lot can change. But, if it doesn't end up going according to plan that's okay! You have a lot on your plate and some unique challenges that not everyone experiences. I honestly can't imagine having a baby and having to care for my husband as well. Let alone dealing with nursing!! You're amazing! Breastfeeding is not easy and it's very time consuming. Some breast milk is better then none! You're doing great!

I was so, so heartbroken when I had to start supplementing but it was so the best thing for us! I supplemented from 2-12 months (when we dropped formula for cows milk), and lo will be 14 months next week and we still have such a strong breastfeeding relationship. I ended up feeling like the formula took the pressure off of me-- esp when I wasn't sure if she was hungry: I didn't care about throwing away a bottle of formula if she wasn't actually hungry. Now that she's a toddler she definitely is very clear about loving nursing and I'm so thankful that supplementing allowed her to thrive and continue nursing as well. I tried for a couple months to pump after feeds and when she was sleeping but it was too hard, after a couple months I only pumped when she was at daycare

I couldn't take fenugreek etc due to intestinal discomfort. LO had slow weight gain and and I had low supply. We still occasionally supplement and I started domperidrone which has helped my supply a ton.

From weeks 2.5-4.5 she was a slow gainer only gaining 0.5oz per day. The next week she was up to 1oz per day gains. I had started feeding every 2hrs and waking her at night, plus supplementing, pumping and started the domperidrone.

I'm only really still doing the domperidrone so we'll have to see what her gain is this week.

@macintosh: big hugs PP have already said it better than I could but just wanted you to know that I understand how disappointed you feel. Try not to stress and remember that any amount of breast milk is wonderful for your baby.

Any amount of breastmilk is great so don't beat yourself up. You are going great. I know it seems trivial but make sure you drink tons of water. Take care of yourself, don't stress and enjoy the ride.

@macintosh: I started taking it and within 2 days my supply increased , enough that I only had to
supplement 3-4 oz a day (compared to 10-12 before).

I see @Banana330: is also from Canada...so maybe it's a Canadian thing? It's pretty common here, a lot of my mama friends were on it also. Worth an ask to your Dr though!

I would say try lactation cookies (they really work!), papaya, papaya juice, fenugreek, and that More Milk Plus supplement. I had lactation cookies that a friend made and boy. I usually pumped 7-8 oz total in the first pump in the morning and that morning after the lactation cookies I think I got 12-13 oz, I was shocked and I had to switch bottles mid-pump hahaha!

If that works for you then you just eat lactation cookies every day for breakfast! hehe

If your baby is now nursing well you have won half the battle! Don't feel bad if you can't breastfeed and nourish him only with your breastmilk. Now we are 3.5 years old and looking back, it was really a very small part of the whole picture and they seriously all grow up the same. The difference is you tried your best to give your baby the best you can give him. That is an abundance of love and accomplishment. xoxo