Hello...I am new to posting, a first time mom, but have been following these boards since I got pregnant last summer. I k ow how helpful you all are to all the moms who post on here and I am hoping you can help me too!

DD is just about 12 weeks old and our breastfeeding journey has been pretty horrendous thus far. At birth, she wouldn't latch at all and therefore lost tons of weight. After seeing two LCs multiple times in the hospital, where we were for four nights (breech baby so i had a section)' we went home from the hospital finger feeding her with a syringe and instructions to see another, local LC. I lasted only a few days of finger feeding before switching to a bottle of pumped milk.,.the whole thing was exhausting, mentally and physically - trying to get her to nurse, then giving her pumped milk (first by finger then eventually by bottle), and then pumping, I had no time at all in between feedings, plus was recovering from an infected incision and had a serious boutof PPD. For the next four weeks, we tried all day and night to nurse with and without a shield, then bottle feeding, then pumping. I was a mess. At four and a half weeks, at yet another LC's suggestion, we took a two day break to 'reset'. After that, I tried, without the shield, and miraculously, at around five weeks, she latched and nursed...but only for a little bit, never enough to take a full feeding, we always had to give her a bottle of pumped milk. So, for the last 7 weeks or so, I've been nursing and bottle feeding and pumping 6 times a day. I have about 80 6-oz bags in the freezer! But I am sick of pumping and I know my baby can nurse do I decided to try to make the switch from pumping and bottle feeding to just breastfeeding...

Which is where we are now. I am on day three of no bottles and only pumping first thing in the am and last thing before bed. Our problem, since she started latching (and even since birth, with the bottles) is that she simply falls asleep almost instantly while breastfeeding. So, she is eating for three to five minutes at a time and then falling asleep, and wanting to eat every hour or two. Now that she is nursing and not taking bottles, I am worried she isnt getting enough, and that my supply will dry up! Before, with bottles, she would eat and be content for 2-3 hours, and sleep all night (10-5 or 6). These last three days, only nursing, she is just snacking and wants to eat constantly, and is waking up once or twice at nite, so I know she isnt getting enough during the day like she did with the bottle. She is still pooping and peeing a ton these last three days, and she is happy in between feedings, she just wants to eat so much more often, but, and here is the big problem, when I nurse her, she only eats for three to five minutes on one side and then is disinterested or asleep.

Is this normal? What can I do to help make this switch? How long do I have before my supply dries up if she isnt transferring enough milk. We are assuming that we will KNOW if she isn't getting enough because she will be cranky and screaming. She won't starve or get sick without giving us clues that we need to give a bottle first, right!? It's not like she is pulling away or refusing to suck and demanding a bottle...she used to do tha; now she is just taking super short feedings. tI want to trust that she is eating enough and I just have to deal with the round the clock constant feedings, but she nurses for SUCH a short time that I feel like she can't possibly be eating enough. But we will know by her behavior, won't we, if she isnt?

Sorry this is so long. It seems like we are finally in sight of a life without the pump and bottles, but I am nervous about making the switch and I don't want to jeopardize her health. Any insights would be much appreciated!! I need help and optimism that we can make this switch to full time breastfeeding even at 12 weeks. I am sick of pumping and I just want my baby to eat full feedings that keep her full for a few hours!! How do I figure out how to do that, and how to keep her awake?!

Everyone said breastfeeding is the hardest thing you'll ever do...i had no idea!! I just want us to be in a place where it is normal and routine!