BF moms please help...So worried about my milk supply...

Hi ladies, i am so worried that i am not producing enough milk and am starving DS. For a while i was doing 1/2 feedings by bottle (BM) and 1/2 feedings nursing. The past two weeks i have started almost exclusively nursing. The thing is - the past week I have been noticing that it takes a very long time to nurse DS - up to 30 min on each side and he nurses on both sides. So I got nervous and started with the bottles again - thing is - when I pump duiring the time he is getting the bottle I am only getting out like 3 oz combined. He drinks 5oz from the bottle. Is it possible my milk supply is drying up? How can I tell if he is getting enough without weighing him?

Also, in the early mornings or when he is not very hungry sometimes he will only nurse from one side or go 4-5 hrs b/w feedings. I usually just wait for him and don't pump to compensate - should i be pumping?

Finally, can I bring my supply back up once it goes down without taking any herbs or anything like that?

Thanks so much

Message edited 11/19/2007 8:55:34 PM.

Re: BF moms please help...So worried about my milk supply...

How old is DC? Around 4-6 weeks old they get REALLy efficient at getting milk from your breast like no pump in this world can do and your breasts are regulating themselves in tune with his supply and demand.

If he's not fussing after he eats and he's wetting diapers and pooping throughout the day, he's doing fine YOU ARE DOING GREAT MOMMY!!!

I know it's so hard when you bf you can't tell how much their getting, but my DD used to do the same thing-when i pumped-once in a blue moon for me, she s ucked down 4 ounces, and was fine, but when i nursed she would feed from anywhere from 5 mins on 1 side to 30 min on one side and 10 mins on the other.



I NEVEr could get milk from pumping either, baby is far better at draining

I've read though that oatmeal can increase supply and up your water intake. Kellymom.com has a whole section on how to increase if you want.

Remember you are doing just great though!!!!

Re: BF moms please help...So worried about my milk supply...

I don't really have much advice, but if I were you I'd stop pumping and just nurse on demand and DS should fall into a pattern. I worried about my supply a lot...b/c when I pumped I was hardly getting anything unless I skipped a feeding.

I stopped pumping and DS is gaining fine. He does still go thru spurts where he is super hungry at night, like between 6pm and 10pm and I just tough it out and nurse like every hour! Its getting much better though. It stinks b/c I don't have much of a freezer supply, but I don't go out much anyway ...and I don't mind giving him formula here and there.

HTH!

Re: BF moms please help...So worried about my milk supply...

I wouldn't be too worried over the timing. Ds always took forever to nurse and he was BF for 5 months and was always a big boy. As far as upping your supply, I would suggest pumping after every feeding. It will trick your body into thinking Dc needs more milk anf will produce more.

Re: BF moms please help...So worried about my milk supply...

Posted by sweetness

How old is DC? Around 4-6 weeks old they get REALLy efficient at getting milk from your breast like no pump in this world can do and your breasts are regulating themselves in tune with his supply and demand.

If he's not fussing after he eats and he's wetting diapers and pooping throughout the day, he's doing fine YOU ARE DOING GREAT MOMMY!!!

I know it's so hard when you bf you can't tell how much their getting, but my DD used to do the same thing-when i pumped-once in a blue moon for me, she s ucked down 4 ounces, and was fine, but when i nursed she would feed from anywhere from 5 mins on 1 side to 30 min on one side and 10 mins on the other.



I NEVEr could get milk from pumping either, baby is far better at draining

I've read though that oatmeal can increase supply and up your water intake. Kellymom.com has a whole section on how to increase if you want.

Remember you are doing just great though!!!!

Re: BF moms please help...So worried about my milk supply...

Thank you ladies!