Low milk supply?

[Niccc123]

My DS is 4 weeks old today and we have EBF'd since birth. He is gaining weight (11oz last week) and seemed happy enough until a couple of days ago when he had a feeding frenzy, wanting food every 1.5 hrs round the clock. I know it could be a growth spurt but he has also starting messing with my nipple when feeding (spitting it in and out and pulling back on it). This is making me very sore. So I'm wondering if he's getting frustrated with a lack of milk. I should also add that I find it very difficult to hand express anything from either boob and have not leaked at all since my milk came in. I also don't really feel my let down yet, but wonder if this is because it's so early on. Haven't tried machine expressing yet, as MW advised me to wait til BF is established at 6 weeks. Can anyone advise whether all this sounds normal or should I be worried about my supply? Going to a BF support group on Tues but would like to stop worrying before then (at least about this specific issue!)

[Niccc123]

Erm, not sure if I've got my acronyms right. Thought EBF was 'exclusively breast fed' but guess it could mean 'expressed breast fed'. Anyway, I meant the former. Apologies, still learning!

[sc2987]

This is very common behaviour on frequency days. As long as he is 'outputting' enough, don't worry. He will stop being frustrated when the supply catches up from the increased feeding frequency.

[Tryharder]

Probably just a growth spurt. This is your baby's way of increasing your milk supply to meet his ever increasing demands. You get them periodically - they can be a PITA.

I have never felt letdown in my life and have breastfed all 3 of mine. Have also never leaked milk. If you are anything like me, you might not be able to express either!! I used to worry that my milk supply was poor but I now suspect that my letdown is not powerful. It is absolute no indicator of a poor supply. If your baby is gaining weight, pooing and weeing regularly then everything is OK. A breastfeeding group is a good idea as you will be able to get RL support and advice.

[aswellasyou]

I've had plenty of this during growth spurts. I wouldn't worry about your supply. Worrying is more likely to have a detremental affect on milk production. I've exclusively breastfed my daughter of 10 months (except weaning onto food from 6 months of course) and only leaked 3 or 4 times. I can't feel a let down and have absolutely no idea when it happens. Expressing doesn't really work for me either. My supply must be fine as she's a very healthy size.
My point is that none of this means anything about your supply, so try not to worry about it. Do check your baby's latch at the support group though.

[nectarina]

If you do want to try increasing your supply i can recommend a small bowl of oats drenched with apple juice. I eat it a couple of times a day - it increases supply and is filling when you don't have time to prepare anything else.

[Niccc123]

Thanks for your responses - they are all very reassuring as DS is definitely dirtying and wetting enough nappies and gaining weight. Guess maybe I'm just lucky that I'm not a leaker (at the moment) and should be grateful for that!