I feel like I'm failing at breast feeding

I knew it would be hard, but this just seems ridiculous.

I'm one week out now, and I'm making milk, but I don't think I'm making enough.
We had to supplement his feedings with formula when he came home because he was a little jaundiced and they wanted him to poop and pee more to get it out of his system, so that is what we have been doing. Usually he nurses for 10-15 minutes on each side and then gets 2 oz of forumula OR, if I have been able to pump, he'll get all breast milk or breast milk + formula.
I've been pumping right after he nurses for a while (he isn't a very vigorous nurser, he's rather sporadic) and sometimes I get maybe an ounce total from both breasts, or more often, a total of about 1/2 an ounce. 

This morning we tried just nursing, and letting him nurse for as long as it took. Well, 2 and half hours later, I was upset and frustrated and sore and he was still hungry. 

I called a lactation consultant from the hospital and she thought I was probably making enough milk based on what I've been able to pump after he eats, but I tried it again this afternoon and after about an hour of fairly vigorous nursing, switching sides, he was still hungry and ate 2 oz of formula and was still looking for more.

Am I expecting too much of my milk too soon? Should I just keep pumping and supplementing? 
Has anyone had a home visit from a lactation specialist, and did it help?

I think I've cried so much today I;m dehydrated. 

I am sorry you are having a difficult time with nursing.  I must say that it is never easy and especially after having wls.  I have nirsed all of my kids and the most challenging one has been this baby after having my gastric bypass.

One thing for sure supplementing will not help your milk supply to milk.  But I understand why you have to.  I would like to suggest that you purchase Fenugreek from GNC and Blessed thistle. Taking these two meds has helped me keep up with a good amount of milk supply. Plus you need to drink a lot of fluids too. 

I became ill 3 weeks ago ended up in the hospital for a week , I had surgery and I was not able to nurse my child for 9 days. I was only getting less than 1/2 oz from each breast when I pumped.  When I was done taking the pain meds I resumed nursing and taking my blessed thistle & fenugreek. The first 5 days was a bit rough trying to get my supply back up but now I am back to nursing her normally. She is 16 months old and now a very happy camper.

Also when you are going to nurse your son make sure to have a glass of water or a refreshing drink next to you so you can sip while you are nursing. make sure you are very comfortable and your back is not hunched. Please make sure to see a lactation consultant you will get great pointers to help you through this very rough stage. Buy some lansinoh to help with the soreness it works wonders! Make sure to nurse your son often so your body can catch up with his demand. If you keep supplementing then you will not make enough to satisfy him. 


I hope this helps you some and I wish you the very best.

Hijack----Hi Cira!  What happened?  You have me concerned about you.  Are you ok?  That was a long hospital stay!

Laurie

Hi Laurie,

How are you and the family doing? 

Oh I was going through so major pain for about 6 weeks when I got sick on June 18th.  It was everytime I ate I felt pain. At first I thought I had gas pains in the middle of my belly. Then it would last longer. One day I ate dinner and 30 minutes later I got this agonizing pain that lasted for 1 1/2 hours. At that point I couldn't take it anymore and called my surgeon.  He told me that possibly I was suffering from an ulcer.  He told me to call him the next day and he would call in 2 RX for me and we were to make an appointment to see him at his office. Well that very next morning I tried to eat breakfast at work and got really sick.  My daughter came to my job and took me to the hospital where my surgeon works out of.  They did a contrast CT Scan & x rays and only saw that my small bowel was a little dilated but no blockage.  I was sent home on 2 medicines.  So then again the next day I got really sick after eating again and my doctor admitted me to the hospital.  They did an endoscopy and a GI Series and still they couldn't find the problem well I was on dilaudid for the pain since it was really bad he told me that he should do a laparascopic exploratory surgery.  They did that 2 days later after they got my potassium level up to par they did the surgery.  They found I had a defect on the mesentary wall of the small bowel. The bowel was slipping into that hole and it was giving major pain when the food try to pass through there.  So they fixed it and this coming Thursday will be 4 weeks since I had that surgery....

I am feeling pretty good but just a bit nervous since I am starting to feel that when I eat I am having tummy pains again.  I am hoping that all is well in there.

Thanks for asking. 

Hugs,

Wow, what an ordeal!  I am glad you are on the mend.  If you feel like something is wrong, call your surgeon right away.  Don't take chances!  

We are doing well.  I went (am still I guess) through a depression period.  I have been on meds and started up my vitamins again.  It has been rough, but I am getting there.

Take care of yourself, hugs!

Laurie

 I am trying to drink more, and I'm drinking 3 cups of mother's milk tea a day now (has fennel, thistle, fenugreek).

The 1/2 oz or so I'm getting is when I pump after he nurses, I'm trying to drain my breasts totally since I was told that would encourage production. Thankfully, he has only had a couple ounces of formula only a few times, mostly it is 1/2 breast milk and 1/2 formula. His poops look like breast milk poops, so he is certainly getting something!  

I forgot to mtimes ention that I drink mother's milk also ottop of everything else. At first I when I was just doing the Mother's milk my supply did not pick up until I did add the rest. 

I am sure he is getting breast milk just wanted to suggest these other things to help you with your supply and frustration. Continue doing what you doing it will get better.

 how big are the fenugreek and blessed thistle capsules?

The fenugreek pills a capsules and they are about a little less than inch long and the blessed thistle are about the same size just a little thinner.  I don't have any problems taking them. I just take my time and drink a lot in between pills.

 I don't know if I could get something that big down; band patients are recommended not to try to take anything bigger than an M&M. Maybe I could open the capsules and take the herbs in pudding or something.