2.5 ozs is an awful lot for a newborn, her stomach at 6 days old is designed to only hold around 1.5ozs. Remember, if you are feeding her EBM in a bottle, she is going to be forced so suck and gulp, suck and gulp, which is why bottlefed babies are so easily overfed. She has no control over how much she's taking in, unlike with breastfeeding.
Many women do not respond well to pumps. That doesn't indicate a supply problem! 2ozs during a session is very normal for 6 days post partum. It does sound like your daughter may be developing nipple confusion. I strongly suggest cutting out bottles competely and avoiding pacifiers, too. She may be wanting the let down quicker because of the bottles- you can try pumping for 5 or 10 minutes before nursing so she gets your let down faster. Nipple confusion will also cause nipple cracking and soreness- she may be trying to suck from you as if you're a bottle, which is quite different from a proper suck. It's important to make sure she's properly latched, even if it means taking her off and relatching multiple times. For this reason, it's very important to start offering the breast before she's actively hungry. If you wait until she's crying for milk she's going to be anxious and resistant to your attempts to help her latch correctly.
More than likely your supply is fine, but if she's experiencing nipple confusion and pumping prior to nursing to encourage a quicker let down isn't working, then an SNS with EBM in it can help in encouraging her to nurse.
The suggestion for a chiropractor is good, too! Especially if you had a fast birth, she could benefit from an adjustment.
Have you contacted your local LLL? I think they'd be the best resource for you right now!
Good luck mama, you can do this! And congratulations on your little girl!
Many women do not respond well to pumps. That doesn't indicate a supply problem! 2ozs during a session is very normal for 6 days post partum. It does sound like your daughter may be developing nipple confusion. I strongly suggest cutting out bottles competely and avoiding pacifiers, too. She may be wanting the let down quicker because of the bottles- you can try pumping for 5 or 10 minutes before nursing so she gets your let down faster. Nipple confusion will also cause nipple cracking and soreness- she may be trying to suck from you as if you're a bottle, which is quite different from a proper suck. It's important to make sure she's properly latched, even if it means taking her off and relatching multiple times. For this reason, it's very important to start offering the breast before she's actively hungry. If you wait until she's crying for milk she's going to be anxious and resistant to your attempts to help her latch correctly.
More than likely your supply is fine, but if she's experiencing nipple confusion and pumping prior to nursing to encourage a quicker let down isn't working, then an SNS with EBM in it can help in encouraging her to nurse.
The suggestion for a chiropractor is good, too! Especially if you had a fast birth, she could benefit from an adjustment.
Have you contacted your local LLL? I think they'd be the best resource for you right now!
Good luck mama, you can do this! And congratulations on your little girl!
