hi,
I'm a newbie and not sure if this will help since I'm a first timer. My dd is now 13 weeks, and fully bf except for the df which is EBM.
I got off to a very bad start from day 1, and cluster feeding and sore nipples was a nightmare (I also had flat nipples so I really was starting from scratch). The best advice I can give is...express express express. I kept it up and also gave dd a small feed using a bottle to keep that habit up. It's hard work as I also found my milk supply seemed low in the evenings.
Unfortunately..I didn't find a solution to the cluster feeding except to feed 2 hrly instead of 3.5-4 hrly (i had a baby who wanted to sleep more than feed!), my baby also would snooze for 20mins or so during the clusterfeeding then wake only to suckle ever so slowly. but it must have worked as now bf seems a whole lot easier..and supply is not an issue anymore.
All the midwives told me to 'wake baby to feed' except one, who gave me a great analogy; if someone woke me from a deep sleep and offered me a big breakfast, would I really feel like eating it straight away? maybe once i was fully awake and realised my hunger it might appeal to me..I used this to feed baby until I started on EASY and I found it worked better for me as dd actually took more. (it worked during the day..)
I've read alot about eating oats...so I eat porridge at least every other day. In the first few weeks I used to express after at least 2-3 feeds. I now express after morning feed, even if it's only 1oz or less, and again at night and use this for df.
Also, dont feel quilty if you really need a break, to give formula. I know it might sound terrible but i think at around week 3 or 4, i was so exhausted from the cluster feeding that i just gave a bottle of formula to give my nipples a break. theres nothing wrong with it!
i perservered with giving dd a dummy as she used me as one instead! she still takes it but im trying to be careful and take it out as soon as she starts to fall asleep..to prevent addiction..
i hope this helps..and you're not alone...