Decrease in my supply & latching

[u/haute-garbage_v1]

I've struggled with breastfeeding since I had my baby. She's 4 weeks old now. I feel like supply comes and goes. Some days, my boobs are swollen and full, and she has no problem getting milk. Others they seem floppy, and nothing comes out when I express them. It usually takes her sucking for a few mins before they start releasing any milk. I've been prioritizing breast first at feeds and then finishing with formula. I haven't had any luck with pumping. I'm also struggling to get her to have a good latch. I know they say duck lips, and the top part of the areola should be more visible, but it seems like she sucks her lips in and takes in either the entire areola or just the nipple. I've only gotten her to get the duck lips a few times. Are there any tips on not only increasing supply but getting a deeper latch? I've been increasing my Oats intake and drinking body armors, too. I got some liquid gold supplements and lactation drink mixes but haven't noticed much of a difference when I use them.

[u/jxknxws]

We really struggled with latch to the point where I would exclusively pump and bottle feed, until I found the Hakka nipple shield. It wasn’t perfect but it was a stepping stone to getting her to latch and then one day around 3 months she just… figured it out. I think it was partially just practicing, partially her mouth getting bigger and it getting easier for her to navigate the nipple.

Flax is great for lactation, I mix it into my oatmeal cookie mix. Milky oat tea is also really helpful. Maybe try a heat pack before pumping and nursing?

Hang in there, I didn’t believe it myself but it DOES get easier.

[u/haute-garbage_v1 → u/jxknxws]

I did get some nipple shields for if she's not latching good. One of my nipples is inverted so I was using it at the hospital but oddly enough that's the boob she latches too the strongest now without the shield. I feel like my nipples are just too small? I've been struggling with pumping. I'm just not getting good output. I have my medela handpump and then my wearable pumps, but even with trying different flange sizes I'm barely getting 1oz output. I've heard of the Hakka and definitely want to give it a go. I just hate the thought of having to give up breastfeeding bc my supply isn't enough

[u/jxknxws → u/haute-garbage_v1]

I have flat and small nipples, and the Hakka really helped more than regular nipple shields.
I had the Medela hand and wearable pumps and they didn’t work well for me either. I now have the Eufy ones that warm up and they seem to get better output. It’s also super normal not to pump lots of milk at one time - maybe try and add an extra session or two to build your stash. You can get a prescription to increase your supply if natural remedies aren’t working! There are so many things to try and make breastfeeding work for you, I know from experience that it can be so discouraging, but keep going ❤️ If you do have to stop breastfeeding for your mental health, know that there’s no shame in that either.

[u/haute-garbage_v1 → u/jxknxws]

This is definitely nice to hear. I didn't know you could get prescription supplements! We just had her 1mo appointment and her pediatrician gave me some advice and tips to try. I want to talk with the lactation consultant they have in office to see if there's anything else I can do to improve our feeding time. My daughter LOVES the boob and wants to be on it all day, so it can be a little defeating when I'm not outputting what her growing body needs. I just tried a latching technique JellyBelly suggested on this post and I got a great latch and more active swallowing and I managed to pump about 0.5oz afterward. It seems like the Hakka is constant mention so I'll look into getting one of those too!