Hi everyone,

For unknown reasons my body is really struggling with producing adequate milk. This is my second child and it also happened with the first. With my first daughter I had to emergency supplement her because of dehydration. I continued to pump and breastfeed and after a grueling schedule I was able to make enough milk for her around 4-5 weeks old. Obviously though, that’s too long to go without enough milk.

With my second I was more prepared. I did antenatal colostrum expression (though two weeks of that yielded only about 3 mLs total) and I began pumping in the hospital. I started supplementing with formula on day 4 but she wasn’t as badly dehydrated as my first. I rented a hospital grade pump and have been pumping after most feeds.

Yesterday was day 6 and my milk finally seems to have changed from colostrum to actual milk. But yesterday my daughter also started refusing to really remove milk from the breast anymore. We use a slow flow nipple and do paced bottle feedings but she’s still clearly developing a huge preference for the bottle.

My first daughter did this and it resulted in me being an exclusive pumper. I loathed every minute of that breastfeeding journey. I would give anything to avoid it this time.

Does anyone know any other options I have to prevent that bottle preference?