At a loss and in tears.

My little guy was a big baby....Almost 11lbs and he is a major feeder. My husband calls him trout farm because he is so veracious. I can't keep up, I am pumping or feeding every moment. He's 4 weeks old and a 4oz bottle every 1 1/2 hours isn't enough,  he wants more. I bottle feed what I pump, I breast feed him after just to catch up with him. I only feed breast milk, but I can't keep up, I just can't do it. I can't. I tried drinking a beer, I tried the stupid tea, I feed on demand so the whole "keep feeding and it will keep up with demand" thing isn't working. Now,  he eats too much and spits up, that's new, started last week. I can't do it.

[AndiJ78]

You can do this. It is not something that happens overnight, you keep nursing, put the pump away for now. Nurse around the clock, day or night. Dump the bottle right now as well, at least until you get your supply re-established. It is extremely likely he is going through a growth spurt and it will pass soon. That is how babies grow, it is cyclic. They will gorge themselves and sleep, gorge themselves and sleep. As time goes by the periods of growth slow down.

As for the spitting up, burp between breasts. I only had one breast to feed from and if I didn't catch a big bubble going down, I could bet I was going to wear all of my hard work. But if you are lucky enough to have two functioning breasts, nurse on one for at least 15 minutes, burp, place him ont he second breast and allow him to nurse as long as he wants. If he is still hungry after 15 minutes, burp him and go back to the first breast. Almost all babies will spit up for the first 6 mos, their GI tracts are still maturing, causing the valve at the top of the esophagus to be a little lax, allowing for backup.

Stop thinking "I can't" and start focusing on "I want to" or my line of thinking was "I HAVE to" I didn't give myself the option for supplementing. I didn't have formula in the house or bottles. It was me and the baby, then it was me the baby and a 2 year old, then it was me, the baby, a year old, and a 4 year old. One boob and one very stubborn mother. It paid off, my boys were all above the 95th percentile throughout the first year. I had many growth spurts where I doubted my supply, my ability to nurse, but I stuck it out and came through it. I had very low points, especially at the 4 week and 9 week growth spurts. I was panicked, I didn't think I could keep up with it. I cried, I nursed until my poor breast looked like a tired, old, deflated balloon and then in desperation put the baby back on that sorry looking breast 2 minutes later and kept going.

Don't doubt your body and its ability to do this. Keep your chin up.

[Jenny100]

Oh honey I feel for you!!! The first 8 weeks are tough. BUT it DOES get better!!! May I ask why you are pumping at all? You say you DO breastfeed him from the breast, so I am wondering why you are pumping too?
The reason why I ask is because I have a book that says baby is MUCH more efficient in getting the milk out than the pump. It says baby gets 5 TIMES as much milk out!!!
So I think you should stop pumping completely and just let him feed at the breast. He will get MORE milk, and then your breasts will start to MAKE more milk since he gets 5 times more out with his own mouth. (supply and demand) Then maybe things will regulate and you won't be so exhausted.
It's worth a try!!! Hang in there....DON'T give up!!! Breastfeeding is so important!!!

[tahariel]

My baby was 10.5 and those first few weeks are the most challenging. Hang in there, you can do it.

First, I agree with Jenny100. Is there a reason why you are both pumping and nursing? No wonder you are frustrated and exhausted. Put the pump away and let baby nurse from the breast whenever and for however long he wants. Offer the first until he is done, burp him, then offer the 2nd breast. On the next session, start with what was the 2nd breast and switch back and forth. Some moms wear a bracelet or ring and switch so they remember which side to start on. If baby is having excessive spitting up, he may need additional burping during a session, or he might have a reflux issue that his doctor should evaluate.

Breastmilk is more easily digestible and doesn't last as long in baby's stomach because it is the perfect food for baby. Larger babies may eat more often until they are several weeks old and become very efficient eaters. Mine ate every 2 hours around the clock for the first several weeks, then that changed to every 3 or more hours, etc. Keep up the great job and baby will eventually eat more at a session and then have longer in between sessions.

Second, check to see if there is a local breastfeeding or new mom support group at your local hospital or La Leche League (www.lalecheleague.org). Find a lactaction consultant who can give you additional support and help. They are wonderful!

Third, stress can slow let down or reduce milk flow. Try to relax. Use breastfeeding as a quiet time to enjoy with baby. Read a book or listen to some calming music. Be sure to drink plenty of water throughout the day, and especially during each nursing session. Continue to eat healthy, and snack throughout the day too. Try drinking something warm just before or during your nursing session to help you relax. The warmth will be soothing and encourage let down. (Just be careful to keep the warm beverage away from baby to avoid spills or drips that can hurt baby's skin.) And, take naps when baby naps to help you get more rest.

Best wishes and hang in there . . . you are doing great!!!

[apple_blossom]

I had a similar problem but it was because a stupid doctor told me not to demand feed, and my milk supply plummeted. I had to formula supplement for a while- it was 5am and I had no milk and my son was crying and I felt heartbroken.
If you haven't stopped demand feeding, I wouldn't recommend running to buy a can of formula before talking to a lactation consultant. You can find one near you (I did and I live in Mexico!), and they might even stop by and see if they can help.

[shesherm]

Hang in there...my Dr had me supplement SAraya because she wasnt gaining weight and after 2 weeks over nursing and pumping I wanted to CRY,...it was ssoooooo tought.  hang in there I stopped pumping and went to nursing constantly and we are doing good now......YOU CAN DO IT!!!

[jenstam]

Coming in late on this but I would like to see an update from the OP. EVERY day I didn't think I could do another for about the first 8 weeks and for a few weeks EVERY time my baby showed signs of being hungry I dreaded the thought of him sucking on me again and again and again...but we made it through that tough time and have been a success! I hope you have made it through this. Take it one day, even one hour at a time and just keep going. It will become much easier, I promise!!

[kiddie72]

hay i have kinda the same problum but have you talked to his dc. if you have to give him a bottle dont fell bad i had to in till i have enofe brest milk

[sdo527]

Again, chiming in late....but you can do this! I would agree....stop pumping....eat tons of oatmeal to increase supply and drink a ton of water. Lay in bed for 2-3 days and just nurse, nurse, nurse. Check with the ped about reflux wrt the spitting up. Baby may have reflux and some zantac can go a LONG way with that.

Remember that the pump is not nearly as efficient as the baby....so if you just nurse him instead of pumping he will get far more from you than the pump will.

Hand in there.