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Infant feeding

Help! How can I increase milk supply and cut out top ups?

16 replies

rnbsmum · 01/11/2006 21:18

Ds is nearly 4 weeks. Was 9lb 6oz and was being fully breast fed but after loosing 10.4% in first days didn't put on weight or do normal poos. Went into hospital for observations where he fed on expressed milk (50-100ml every three hours)and topped up to 90ml with formula. He did put on weight and now does normal poos and paeds were happy he was healthy. Mw, Hv, breast feeding counsellors have all been really helpful and incredibly supportive. They checked latch etc (not quite as wide as it could be but not a problem)and were happy. I was feeding on demand (usually every 2 hours for about 15 mins) but he still wasn't puuting weight on so started expressing at the end of a feed (every 3 hrs- otherwise I wouldn't have time to do anything else!) and giving him that too. This was usually 50ml-70ml depending on the time of day, knackeredness etc. Still didn't put on ny weight. Have now started to supplement with formula so both breasts at each feed, expressing off both (50-60 mls) and as much formula as he seems to want, usually 50-70ml (seems like a lot to me but I guess it's to make up for lost time.)

He is now putting on weight but I am really worried that we will not be able to drop the formula and that my supply will dry up. Hv is very supportive but any advice as to how to increase my supply or ideas as to what could be the problem with him feeding from me gratefully recieved. I fed dd for 15 months with no formula and no problems so am not sure where to go from here.

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hairymclary · 01/11/2006 21:20

the best way of increasing supply is by feeding more.
expressing is ok but it's not as effective as a baby at getting milk out.
tbh with you I would seriously consider binning the formula and just feeding him as much as possible, even if you're doing it ever hour or so (if he'll take it)
the more you feed him the more you'll make. supplementation means that you are never being asked for more (if that makes sense) so your body nevber produces more

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Hattie05 · 01/11/2006 21:25

I have to agree with hairymclary although it seems crazy to go against all the advice you've had from professionals!

I would put him to the breast as often and for as long as he likes (forget housework, and enjoy some tv time! assuming this is your first?) And definitely don't clock watch or calculate how long he's been on the breast just let him do what he wants. I'm sure they've been asking you to log this in hospital, but now you are home i wouldn't bother.

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CattyB · 01/11/2006 21:32

Sorry to hear your prediciment - would agree with hairy the best way would be to ditch the formula and just feed, feed, feed - switching side every time your ds slips, falls asleep or starts comfort sucking during a feed.
Is there anyway you could get someone to watch dd while you take a "breastfeeding holiday" ie you and your ds take to bed for 2/3 days and do nothing except feed (yourself included), rest and enjoy each others company thus increasing your supply and preventing any drying up.

Good luck.

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mumchez · 01/11/2006 21:32

i agree with both hairy & hattie- feed on demand and supply will come through!!
Just make sure your drinking and eating enough (having a glass of water for every breast feed!)... also, have you tried drinking fennell tea??? it doesn't taste too great but first thing in the morning is meant to help produce lots of milk ... worth a try, and if it doesnt help with the milk production, it's good for you anyway

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binkacat · 01/11/2006 21:40

I'd have a babymoon weekend. Take him to bed with you for the weekend and have him snuggled up next to you - you being topless. Then he can feed lots as much as he wants, it'll boost your hormones and milk supply. Just don't do anything apartfrom laze in bed with him and read magazines

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hairymclary · 01/11/2006 21:44

have a look at this link as well,lots of advice here:

increasing baby's weight

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rnbsmum · 01/11/2006 23:31

Thanks for the tips You seem to confirm what I suspected that we need to ditch the formula and feed, feed, feed. Hopefully next time he's weighed he'll be big enough to give me the confidence to go it alone. That's a great web site you suggested hairymclary, really useful links. Cheers for that.

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SaintHunkerOfMunker · 01/11/2006 23:36

He'll always drink formula, even if he's full up of bmilk - like you'll always find room for pudding even after you're full of dinner (NB, am not likening formula to Mars bars in an inflammatory way here).

Agree that just feeding him more often will be easier for you and fine for him.

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rnbsmum · 02/11/2006 13:05

what worries me is that I was demand feeding really often, every hour couple hours -it varied, obviously, and I thought it was all going well, he was content, wet nappies fontanelle fine etc, only indication was sometimes lack of poos and no weight gain. I'm worried I could plough on regardless feeding him myself and still discover further down the line that he's not getting enough.

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Philomena · 02/11/2006 14:33

I logged onto mumsnet today to ask the same question. I am also feeding my 7 day old son on demand and thought he was stopping because he'd had enough. However he has lost 14% of his body weight.

Am happy to know I'm not alone, but not happy you're having problems too, if you see what I mean.

Am now going to sit here topless and watch TV, mumsnet and feed, feed, feed!

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rnbsmum · 02/11/2006 15:36

I think that the bottom line is that weight isn't everything, if they are well in every other respect, they are healthy babies who will inevitably put weight on in good time when we've really got the feeding thing sussed.

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mammaduck · 02/11/2006 15:42

Absolutely right - to increase milk you need to feed more.

Also, whilst it's prob. not what you want to hear, night-feeds are also really important in the early days for sustaining (and boosting) milk supply.

And yes, babies are much better at getting milk out than any pump.

Good luck!

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twinklemegan · 02/11/2006 16:12

Does anyone have any idea how far down the line you have to be before it will become impossible (or very difficult) to build up enough supply again? I'm mixed feeding, though if I'm honest it's mostly formula but I'm fine with that cos it was my only option. But now, FINALLY, 3 months on b/f doesn't seem to be hurting me like it was and I'm considering giving it a go to cut down on the formula and really get b/f going again. At present I'm usually just giving him one breast before a top up, (or main course, if you like!) so each one gets a nice long break before the next feed. I guess I could start off by giving him both breasts before the formula but where do I go from there? I do not want him being really hungry and unhappy.

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laundrylover · 02/11/2006 17:10

run a search on 'restarting breast feeding' as there was some really good advice about this a couple of months back. try kellymom too.
I think you can't just drop the formula straightaway as you need to reduce it gradually as your supply builds up.
weight wise as long as your babies are gaining something each time don't worry about the 'sticking to the centile line' too much. many bf babies seem to slip down and find their own line over the first 6 months (in my MN experience anyway).
good luck ladies

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laundrylover · 02/11/2006 17:12

twinkle, yes do offer both sides before topping up, twice if you fancy. many people, including myself, offer both sides each feed anyway.

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determination · 02/11/2006 17:39

ITA with what everyone here has said with regards to ditching the formula and feed, feed, feed... BUT i would also have to suggest eating Porridge Oats EVERY morning and snack on oat cake or oat cookies ect.. Oats naturally increase milk supply AS LONG AS your stimulating enough too.

I ended up donating 50-70oz p/week after i started eating Oats and i had a Low Milk Supply.

Hang in there your doing great

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