Yes, I felt the same as Diane, and wondered why it was so cut and dried
that this mother had a low supply.

Certainly, the reports of the baby's behaviour and the (one) observed feed
cause concern - this is clearly *not* a happy, effective bf relationship
and there seem to be things going on with the family and the confusing
advice from the doctor that make it more complex.

But to get just under a  cup after just five mins of hand expressing sounds
pretty good to me! And the weight gain (32 ounces in four weeks) is ok,
though it's possible it may not be ok for *this particular baby at this
time*, and this baby may do better gaining even more  (and Bonnie said the
baby looked 'thin'  which again is cause for concern).... so there could be
an issue here, but as I say, why is the issue one of chronic low supply and
why is a supplement considered necessary?

Why bottle feed 'an ounce or more', then breastfeed  and then bottle feed
again, with or without the supplementer as another adjunct? As Diane says,
it all seems complicated and awkward !  The mother may have marginal low
supply but it should improve when supplements are removed, and when latch
is improved.

Why not *just breastfeed* , with lots of skin to skin, giving the improved
latch a chance to have its effect, and then review the situation by talking
to the mother at least daily and then see/weigh the baby  after a few more
days if she sticks with it?

These are genuine questions, not criticisms, believe me, as I feel there
may be something missing from this story...do please keep us up to date,
Bonnie!

Heather Welford Neil
NCT bfc Newcastle upon Tyne UK