Thanks @shooting! I will give it a try.. Sheesh.. Didn't think it would be this hard for me

So I am nowhere near a bf expert and I am in a similar situation. I ff my 2 oldest and now first time bfing my 2 week old. I am honestly just winging it and so far so good.

One thing I didn't see mentioned here but the LC told me in the hospital is when baby is latched, try to massage the breast and even squeeze a bit. She said that it will help the milk/colostrum come out and give baby something to work for. I tried to do that a lot in the hospital because I never notice anything leaking either.

Not sure it will help but worth a shot!

@social I am going to try your nursing vacation! I'll let you know how it turns out

How do you know he's unlatching because he's not getting enough fast enough?

How many wet diapers is he having?

I never got engorged, I didn't even know my milk came in. I never leak, I wouldn't even know I was breastfeeding if my son wasn't gaining weight.

The more you put baby to the breast, the more milk you get. Stop the formula. The more formula he gets, the less milk you make and the more he will prefer the bottle. Keep putting babe on the breast until he's no longer hungry. He will be getting food. Don't worry. If he's not peeing enough, that's when you supplement.

You have plenty of colostrum and it transitions to milk between days 1-14.

What and or who said/told you or gives indication of no colostrum/milk?

And of course if baby is being given anything from any other form of feeding other than direct from the breast your breast will not get the needed signals/chemical/hormones to continue to make milk.

No need for formula.

Here's the solution: nursing vacation.

You no shirt or bra
Baby, just a diaper. Use a blanket to cover you both.

Lay baby on your chest near the nipples. Get baby to latch every 1 1/2 - 2 1/2 hours. Allow baby to nurse for as long as baby wants before switching sides.

Don't wait for cues, just latch even if yes every hour. It will only be like that 2-4 days. By then milk is increasing, both you & baby are learning about bf'ing.

Put together a bag w/ diapers, wipes, lanolin ( I use perfectly posh healer stick) this is for the nips, snacks and finger foods that have protein, & some that will help w/ milk production & flow, water & anything else you want to include. No pacifiers, no bottles/syringe/dropper, no formula.

Also, even if you ff, you are still experiencing full motherhood.

Thanks for your help ladies. I can definitely up my water intake.

Every woman's body reacts diff to bf and weight loss is not a guaranteed thing. Hang in there mama! You can still bf baby, many woman even relactate after quitting. Just make sure you are putting baby to breast every time you are going to feed. Keep baby latched on as long as possible. Once you give a bottle, I'd recommend pumping to help. There are some foods that help produce milk, try and include these in your diet. Also, stress affects your milk supply so try and relax, just be calm, look at your baby, and think beautiful thoughts. Your hospital may have a lactation consultant you can meet with and would strongly advise on that if you are able! Good luck and hang in there. It's not always easy easy, but very possible!!

Have you been eating an extra 500 calories per day and drinking at LEAST eight classes of water/clear liquids? Eating and drinking is super important. And often understated.

I don't have personal experience with this yet but I recommend meeting with a lactation consultant and going to a few La Leche League meetings. :)

Keep trying!

Blaw- yes I had a cesarean section. Forgot to mention that.
The problem is he latches and only wants to stay on for like 2 minutes and then he refuses to continue because he's not getting enough fast enough. It's so frustrating

Mama- thanks for your support and kind words. I really want to be successful at this and still maintain a healthy weight.

Some women's milk comes in fine, some women have issues with getting their milk in, some women's milk randomly stops (like me), all women are different. In regards to the weight loss, bf generally makes you lose weight. Donno how it works, but it does. If your baby is hungry and your milk just isn't coming in, don't worry about trying to force your body to do something it maybe can't right now... I know breastfeeding is a HUUUGGEEE things out there now days, and it seems so wrong for people to formula feed, but you know what!!! I think you are awesome for trying! I think you are awesome for giving this baby a chance to do breastfeeding, sitdown and consider your options. If you choose to do continue, great! If not, great! Do not beat yourself up, or feel like a failure for switching to formula if you have to. I know I felt soooo guilty the first time I gave my son formula..felt like my body was incapable of doing what it was made to, but I'm happy i did it...

I know many women will give you probably better advice than me(as I'm now blabbing lol) but I just want to say, your aweosme for trying bf! But it's okay if you can't, or don't want to continue! Goodluck and Gods blessings on your family!

Eta: I edited fast enough I think...