Breastmilk: How Much Should I Be Making?

What you are able to pump and what baby is able to actually get from the breast are two different things.

But she has other things going on. Eating from the bottle is easier than breastfeeding. Try using the playtex nurser with the latex nipple in slow flow. That is more like the breast.

But putting her to breast more often may help. Make sure that she is getting the areola in her mouth. You may need to offer her the breast more often than what you were used to with your other kids until she gets it.

Here is some good info on nipple shield use and how to wean from using it as they are not for long-term use:

http://www.kellymom.com/bf/concerns/baby/wean-shield.html

Pumping is not an adequate way to determine how much milk your body is producing. I can't believe an LC told you to stop nursing. I would fix the latch and put the pump away so your baby can build up the supply she needs. I am a horrible pumper, can't get much at all when I pump. Babies are much more efficient at emptying the breast than a pump is.

Pumping never seems to give out much. Babies are more efficiant, that being said, I wouldn't worry unless she doesn't have enough wet diapers. I know what you feel about the feeling full, I don't feel full anymore unless I miss a feeding or 2. The best thing to do is to try and relax, and stay hydrated. The more water you drink, the easier to make milk. The less stressed, the more milk. I had to ban my kids from being around when I pump, since the stress from them playing (or fighting over toys, or wanting to play with the pump) cut down the amount I am able to pump really noticably. You can also try fenugreek to build up your supply, and Mothers Milk tea. But, I highly recommend water, water, water.

I'm currently nursing my 2nd baby, and when I pump I hardly get much, maybe 1-2 ounces on each side. I know my baby (5 months) gets much more when he nurses or he wouldn't be gaining weight so well. This second time around my breasts feel much less full, actually they almost never feel full. I was definitely not as engorged as with my first baby. Just because you don't feel full doesn't mean you aren't full of milk. Sometimes I don't even feel my milk letdown, although I know its coming because my baby is gulping the milk.

The best thing to do is just nurse on demand right now. And nurse whenever she will take your breast. That the best way to increase your supply and make sure that she is getting all she needs.

I hope you're still able to pump/feedi with the shield. It can be really frustrating to having inverted nipples, but it IS possible to breastfeed, especially if you are able to use a nipple shield. Very few women have "perfect" nipples...in fact, I'm not really sure what those are :) But the important thing is that your baby gets breastmilk, not how you go about giving it to her!

If you're still using a shield, you may want to consider getting a Shield Shell to store it in between feedings. I have one for each of my shields (one for the diaper bag, and one for the house), and they are AWESOME! It's easy to find the shield in the dark, plus it protects my shield from my dog and two-year-old. I ordered mine at www.shieldshell.com.

Good Luck!