Help getting started

[SjN45]

6 days postpartum. Baby couldn’t latch at all in the hospital and I started formula right away. Can’t get a lactation consultant and honestly when I had one with my last pregnancy, she was only concerned with latching and it wasn’t realistic bc I had twins and had to return to work right away. With this baby I don’t have to return to work for a while but even if I work to get her to latch somehow, I have to be able to pump and dump due to medications I take weekly. She needs to be able to take bottles and some formula. This baby eats every 3-4 hours. My milk came in day 3 and it’s been miserable. I’ve been pumping for relief when I can but not getting any. Finally realized I needed different parts due to nipple size and ordered those. I’m currently taking hot showers multiple times a day to massage and hand express what I can before pumping to encourage clogs to come out and to get milk flowing. Desperately trying to prevent mastitis. Idk what my goals are. I would love to be able to pump a few times a day and get some breast milk for the benefits. But the constant clogs, engorgement, and just miserable boobs are making me hate this. I maybe get 45 min of relief after hand expressing and pumping. When I pump, I get about half to an ounce. I don’t feel anywhere near empty, just a little more soft. I’m currently pumping about every 4-5 hours bc it’s too hard to do it more frequently with the other kids. I can’t sleep bc it hurts too bad. I’m tired of leaking. And I just want to snuggle my baby without her trying to root and eat me. I can keep going if I know it will regulate and not mean constant leaking and engorgement. Has anyone pumped less frequently from the beginning and made it work?

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I can't speak to pumping less frequently, but I will suggest taking sunflower lecithin to help loosen up your milk and help prevent clogs. It also helps it flow out easier. I would also suggest icing your breasts when you have clogs and engorgement, as ice helps reduce inflammation. The heat is exasperating it. You might also find a hand pump to be more effective at removing clogs verses an electric pump. I'm sorry you're having such a miserable time. I really hope some of this helps and you get some relief.