Not enough milk and feeding times ??

[small76]

I am having troble feeding this time round.
first DS fed for 11 months, no probs.
This time, it feels as if im not producing milk quick enough, or there is enough at each feed to satisfy my DD. she is one month old and only today reached her birth weight.
I have tried to fully concentrate on feeding frequently and long to top up supply, but this hasn't worked. At each feed DD will have both sides, each side for 20 - 25 mins.
When finished she often wants more and seems very frustrated that there isn't more immediately.
She is only putting on just over an ounce a week. HV says she isn't worried.

In another thread i read'aim not to feed for longer than an hour and as often as every 2 hrs'.

Does this mean for instance feed at 12 noon until one 0'clock, then next feed starts at two? Or leave 2 hours from the end of the feed?

Help please, at the mo i am giving top up bottles late evening as well as all her feed from me.

She does sleep through from midnight until about 8 in morning though, has done from day one.

[NotQuiteCockney]

At one month, I wouldn't try to schedule feeds. I would just let her feed. Can you take a day off and just feed her lots and lots.

How many bottles are you giving her? How much formula? I'd cut down or drop those.

The sleeping through may be part of why she's not gaining quickly? I'd be inclined to try a dreamfeed or something in there - night feeds really increase your supply. Oh, if you stop giving formula, maybe she'll stop sleeping through, and then you can get more breastmilk into her?

[crace]

I am really against having a BF schedule - feeding on demand really is the way to go. I am sure she is just having a growth spurt and trying to increase your supply. Feeding on a schedule doesn't take into account growth spurts (if that is indeed what she is having)..

The real indicator is she having lots of wet/dirty nappies?

My daughter fed constantly the first few months of life and actually still feeds quite often at 1year! I think just go with it for now, I know it's hard.

I will try not to be too jealous, as my daughter has never slept through, and probably never will!

This is just my opinion, please do whatever feels right for you. And best of luck!

[crace]

I agree with the night feeds increasing supply - I have never had an issue with it. I think with your body not feeding for 8 hours may have an effect.

Maybe do a dreamfeed or two?

[mears]

small76 - the crux of your problem is probably the fact that your DD has been sleeping all night from day 1. I would stop the top-up bottles late in the evening so that she will waken for a feed during the night. I would even go so far as setting your alarm for 4am to waken her for a feed if she doesn't wake on her own. Night feeds stimulate milk production much more than day ones as the levels of prolactin (milk making hormone) are higher. You will not need to do this forever - just until your milk supply increases. Some babies are just 'happy starvers' and do not ask for night feeds.

Agree with not timing or clock watching for feeds. If she is looking for a feed just put her on the breast no matter when she last fed. This can be turned around.

[tiktok]

small, I would support what mears has said. You are right to be concerned about this, and your HV needs a rocket for not helping you sort this out.

Most mothers simply will not produce enough milk if their babies sleep for long periods, and if they sleep through the night at an young age - feeding more often is the only sure way of increasing your supply and there are some good ideas here to do this.

Top ups mean there is less breastmilk - but check first if you can just drop those. It really depends on how much you are giving her - if it's a lot you may need to cut down gradually rather than simply cut them out.

Good luck!

[small76]

Thanks for your comments, and so quickly too

I am feeding on demand and only give 2-3 ounces of formula when she is still desperate some feeds after having a full bf.

I spent 2 days concentrating on building up supply and it didn't do much, in fact it was worse, feeding when she wanted which was nearly all the time, as i never felt any milk come in and my breasts were completely drained all the time .that is what made her very frustrated.

she has slept through from birth, this is without formula as i only started that about a week ago.
When i have tried to feed at night, she is just completely out of it and won't feed.

As i successfully fed my son for 11 months , i am doing all the same tricks now, but they don't seem to work. i just don't understand.

[small76]

Also i must admit i am reluctant to start night feeds, as since having her i have been quite ill.
if i was up all night feeding as i was my son, i would have been straight back in hospital.

As it was i had to be readmitted over night 2 weeks ago, and feel this is what really did it for me as i could,t give her her midnight ish feed.

have been struggling since then

[NotQuiteCockney]

If you feed all the time, and your breasts are always empty, that will mean she gets very fatty milk, and your milk supply will improve.

Why were you in hospital? Are you on any meds that might impact your milk supply?

[mears]

small - sorry to hear you have been ill. This could be affecting your supply. If your DD does not wake for feeds in the night have you considered expressing? I really don't think that you will be able to increase your supply at this stage if you do not have breast stimulation during the night.