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Infant feeding

How do you know if your milk supply is low?

11 replies

Caz10 · 09/03/2008 10:49

That's it really! silly question probably, but how would you know if it was? Thanks!

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RGPargy · 09/03/2008 10:53

Hi Caz! How are you doing?

What makes you think your milk is low?

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Caz10 · 09/03/2008 11:00

Hi! How is dd?

General paranoia I think!!

DD has had weight gain issues, and she is sometimes very twisty and (I think) impatient on the breast - made me wonder if there wasn't enough for her?

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fleacircus · 09/03/2008 11:07

Hi Caz, how are things going now? Probably you already know this but I find that if DD sort of stops sucking (as if there's nothing much going on) and I gently press against the breast that stimulates the flow again and she'll then resume sucking. The twistiness could be wind? DD squirms about a lot sometimes (dragging my nipple with her - lovely) but often follows it up with a delightful fart.

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terramum · 09/03/2008 13:22

Caz have you seen any of the stuff on supply on the Kellymom site:
www.kellymom.com/bf/supply/index.html

This page might help answer your query:
www.kellymom.com/bf/supply/low-supply.html

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RGPargy · 09/03/2008 20:24

DD is wonderful thanx - a real treasure! How is your DD?

I agree with fleacircus that it could be wind. DD goes through phases of squirming and twisting so i take her off, sit her up (much to her protest!) and get her to do a little burp. I then change sides and she's normally better.

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Caz10 · 11/03/2008 15:53

Hi, thanks all! RGPargy I must get organised with pics of DD on my profile - they still look really alike!! She is a wee smasher too!

Thank you for all the advice and links - I don't REALLY think deep down my supply is low - but I do think my latch is not great which I know can cause problems. DD is contented after feeds etc and I guess sometimes she will have wind/be tired/whatever. I do breast compressions and they always get her going again at least for a couple of gulps.

However I suppose I am more interested in theory - I read lots of people saying on here things like "my milk had started to dry up" etc - just wondering how you know? I never leak anyway, so how else could i tell if it DID happen?

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terramum · 11/03/2008 16:54

How the baby is as a whole would be the best way I suppose - nappy contents & frequency, alertness, how they are when feeding (actively suckling?), how often they feed, how satisfied they are after a feed (although if they have a growth spurt then that's not very reliable on it's own). I think there are a lot of myths about babies' behaviour and breastfeeding in general that do make women doubt their supply when there really isn't an issue. E.g.:
www.llli.org/FAQ/normal.html

TBH I think it's very unlikely that a mother's milk simply dries up, unless there is something that interfered with natural order iyswim. Things like:

  • feeding to a schedule
  • offering supplements of water or formula
  • early introduction of solids
  • Certain drugs/medications or medical conditions/situations.

This link has some more examples:
www.breastfeed-essentials.com/hindrances.html

What is it about the latch that bothers you btw?
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Caz10 · 11/03/2008 18:53

thanks for these links terramum. so it really is a case of the baby showing it is not getting enough, rather than something i could be aware of in my own body?

latch - she has never been great at opening her mouth wide enough - getting better, but it can still be quite tight/pursed. no pain, but i can see it is much better at some times than at others iyswim.

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terramum · 11/03/2008 21:01

Umm I suppose if you, for example, didn't notice much difference in your boobs following a feed with the other symptoms then there might be cause for concern. I think it's generally better to look at the bigger picture than just one or 2 'symptoms' that on their probably don't mean anything iyswim. For some women not feeling a let down might be normal or some women never get engorged or leak...there are so many variables that it's hard to say for sure that x means there is definately a problem....but on the other hand there's no harm in finding an good BFC & getting some reassurance/support if you are worried...always worth paying attention to your own instinct

RE the latch if there's no pain & she is happily suckling away & gaining weight, doing plenty of nappies etc then I wouldn't worry about the it too much. No point in trying to make it 'perfect'...if it ain't broke...

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RGPargy · 11/03/2008 21:31

Caz - how funny our DDs look alike! There's a new pic on my profile, taken a few days ago.

Funnily enough, DD doesn't open her mouth that wide either but she is a happy feeder and i know my supply is good. It's only as she's got older that she's starting to open her mouth really wide for me. It's never bothered me or her tho so all is fine there.

Agree with terramum about doing plenty of wet/dirty nappies etc. If she's generally happy and gaining weight, i really dont think you should worry.

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RGPargy · 11/03/2008 21:36

Oh i should add that i dont really get engorged or leak either but still my milk doth floweth (except when i'm trying to express the bloody stuff, then it goes on strike!!).

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