E.:
First off - congratulations!!
Now, STOP BEATING YOURSELF UP! Stress WILL decrease your milk supply. If breastfeeding has been difficult for you - try new methods. Your best bet is to relax though. Babies pick up on stress. If you are overly wraught about him not getting enough, he'll pick it up/sense it. RELAX! Enjoy your time with your son.
Lay off the caffiene, drink water and nurse then pump - I know some don't do this - however, pumping after nursing, especially with a wiggly baby will get the baby the hind-milk that has a lot of the fat in it. This will also increase your milk supply.
First and foremost DO NOT STRESS - stress and can will decrease your milk supply.
Your son is sox months old, he is getting a bottle at day care, so this is a change for him as well as you.
Your son will pick up on your stress - thus increasing his wiggliness - stop worrying about him getting enough - a baby will not let himself go hungry.
With my first son, I could've fed Ethiopia - the top freezer was filled with expressed milk. I even wet-nursed my close friend's daughter. I nursed him until he was 2 years old. It was a hard thing to wean him - it was "our time" together.
With my second son - well - let's talk about night and day - at one year - he just stopped wanting the breast. I'm not kidding or exaggerating at one year he just stopped cold turkey. OUCH! I also couldn't keep up with his needs. Unlike my first son, who as 17 lbs at 3 months - can you say Butterball turkey? And was exclusively breastfed for the first six months of his life - my second wanted solids at 3 months and was on sippy cups at a year.
Bottom line - each child is different. Each story is different. You and your son will be fine. There are many ways to get around it.
Put calming music on when you nurse your son - put your feet up and be comfortable, use a boppy pillow for him, yeah, he may be a little big for it but it might help him latch on better and get the let down faster so his attention will be kept on you.
Relax. Do not stress - you are a GREAT mom!
Pump after nursing.
Keep all the expressed milk - freeze it. Use it for day care.
Enjoy your time with your son, don't worry about how much he'll get - rest assured he'll get what he needs when you pump when he's done.
Most pediatrician's usually have a lactation consultant on-duty. Call her and talk with her.
I know that both my boys were fine (they still drive me nuts - just like they are supposed to!) and you will be fine too!
I'm sorry this is so long. But I really want this to work for you - I truly enjoyed breastfeeding. It's so sad to hear that someone is having a difficult time with it.
Laurie Clark is a registered Lactation consultant whom I love! She's the bomb!
Contact me privately, I'd be more than happy to help you out - let you know you are doing the right thing and not to help you not stress!
Take care!
Cheryl