Breast milk supply??

This may be a very dumb question but here goes:

DD is 2 months old

When do you know your breast milk supply is decreasing?
It seems like my breasts dont feel as full anymore.
I am feeding DD every 2-3 hours throughout the day. She is last fed at 8 pm and then will sleep typically until 5 am but can be later on some nights. Then she is up for the day at 8 am where I follow the feeding schedule of every 2-3 hours.

Also, I use to be woken up in the middle of the night by my breasts leaking but they no longer do that. I also felt like (sorry TMI) I felt my nipples tingled (I am assuming my milk being let down-if that is the right term) a lot less frequently in the past few weeks.

I occasionally pump in the morning (I have been working 2 days a week for the past 6 weeks - so I pumped before I left at 7 am and was home for her noon feeding)but I use to pump 4+ ounces easily and now I am only getting 2-3 ounces

I also always pump before I go to bed since day 1 and use to get 4+ ounces and now I am also only getting 2-3 ounces total.

Does this sound like my supply is decreasing or is DD just eating more? I am clueless
I wanted to continue breastfeeding until i head back to full time work in september but not sure if this is going to be possible
I have not had to supplement yet but should I be?
How will I know?
is there anything I can do to help improve my supply??

TIA

Breast milk supply??

Your body is probably regulating based on what your baby needs, now that she is in a sort of routine.

If you think your supply is decreasing, drink LOTS of water, eat some oatmeal, and maybe get some Mothers Milk type tea at whole foods or something. Make sure you're eating enough.

I nurse my 15 mo about 3 times a day, and I haven't felt full or letdown in a while. But there's still milk when he wants it. It's pretty wild, how it works.
Good luck.

Breast milk supply??

I think it's normal to not feel that fullness after the first few weeks. Your supply is regulating to match what your daughter is taking. If she is satisfied and gaining weight then you should be fine. By this point she is at her peak in terms of how much she will take. They stay about the same until it decreases when they start solids.

Re: Breast milk supply??

My dd is 2 1/2 months old and I don't get the let down tingling as often as I used to and never soak through nursing pads anymore. They rarely even get a drop on them... I thought it was because I decreased the number of pumping sessions but I think I still may be outputting the same amount...like today for example, I got 8oz this morn and then another 8 around 5pm. I normally try to pump before bed but sometimes I'm just too tired. If I pump more often like every time she was to eat, I'd only get 2-3oz. I EP by the way.

I have not had to supplement but thank god I froze extra BM in the beginning when I was over producing. Comes in handy for those days when I'm too lazy to pump

Oh and yes, I too never feel as full as I used to... So I don't feel like I have to go and run to pump bc I'm no longer in pain. I really think its just our bodies finally regulating themselves, but I can't be sure...

Message edited 8/8/2012 9:33:00 PM.

Re: Breast milk supply??

Okay, thank you ladies.
You have made me feel much better!!
I was getting a little worried that I was not producing enough and potentially starving DD We have her 2 month check up next week so I will see how much she gained and talk to the doctor also.
I also think I have to really start drinking a ton more water and make a point to eat during the day - things are just so hectic at times (i also have a 2 year old) that I just forget to do these basic things. I know I am definitely not drinking enough water at all.
Thank you again

Re: Breast milk supply??

If your DD is nursing at 8 and then not again until 5, you are definitely not starving her! That's fantastic for a 2-month-old! You're doing great. What's happening is, your body is adjusting. She doesn't need milk between 8 and 5, so your body isn't producing so much then. But don't worry - if you ever do need it then, when she latches on, she'll get her milk. It gets made really fast on demand.

Re: Breast milk supply??

COMPLETELY NORMAL!!
:)

Your body is taking cues as to what to make and only makes what you need...after the first couple of months I rarely felt full and hardly ever leak! I wouldn't worry...I am sure you are ok..and you DC is getting all thy need!