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Get advice and support with infant feeding from other users here.

Infant feeding

Breast feeding - low supply Is it coz I'm too 'busy'?

14 replies

familygirl · 14/09/2007 16:34

My ds is putting on weight but slowly so dropping through centile lines (born on 50th now below 2nd at 11 weeks). HV suggested I have low supply coz I'm so busy with 2 other children. Don't have much time for their opinions normally, but wondering about what I can do to up my supply, as I have to agree that although it was fine up until now, it's getting to the point now where he does seem dissatisfied straight away or quite quickly after feeds later in the day. Any thoughts?

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KindMum · 14/09/2007 16:41

I´m not sure that a "low supply" really exists as such. Can you feed ds more often? It is common for los to "cluster feed" especially from around tea time so nothing surprising about this.. Bear in mind that the more you offer the breast, the more milk is produced.

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tiktok · 14/09/2007 16:41

familygirl, your HV is misinformed. The only way 'busyness' would affect supply is if you were too busy to actually feed.

Your baby may be going through a totally normal increase in appetite and asks for more feeds so you can meet it. If there is a question mark over his weight (hard to tell, as babies do fall through the centiles without anything abnormal happening) then feeding more often is the way to go

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theUrbanDryad · 14/09/2007 16:43

the only thing i can really suggest is feed, feed, feed. is there anyway your dh/p or another family member could take your older 2 and leave you to have some time on the sofa/in bed with the little one? also, get a sling or a wrap, then you can bf while running around after the other 2!!

the other thing to remember is that babies do lose weight. if he is happy, contented and producing plenty of wet/dirty nappies then i wouldn't worry too much.

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familygirl · 14/09/2007 16:58

I am feeding him more often as and when he is hungry, but the thing that I'm unsure of what to do about is him being dissatisfied after I've fed him all I've got! My supply is most definitely lower as the day goes on. I'm happy to feed him a bit more often if that's what it takes, but wondered if anyone had any advice re boosting my supply coz hearing him cry after feeding and still be hungry is not great

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prettybird · 14/09/2007 16:58

Is he otherwise happy, healthy and alert? If you weren't weighing him, would you be worried?

I agree with Kindmum. Are you able to give him a clusterfeed in early evening if he wants?

Adn Tiktok is, as ever, spot on!

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theUrbanDryad · 14/09/2007 17:49

familygirl - as i understand it, the bresat is never empty, so if he wants to nurse constantly, let him (that's what ds did till he was about 18 weeks!!) if looking after the other 2 is an issue, look into getting a sling!

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theUrbanDryad · 14/09/2007 17:49

bresat?? eh? i meant breast, of course!

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becklespeckle · 14/09/2007 17:52

Too busy to produce milk? I agree the HV is talking rubbish!

Eating oaty things is supposed to help supply and my HV used to tell me to keep my fluids up too. I used to have a big drink either before or after each feed (just so I would remember) and it did seem to work for me.

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Lorayn · 14/09/2007 17:55

I doubt your supply is getting low familygirl, though when i breastfed DS there were times I felt I just didnt have enough for him, maybe your LO is just going through a growth spurt, or even coming down with a bug maybe? there are lots of reasons for babies to want to stay attached to the breast that arent because you arent making enough milk, your breasts will provide as much milk as the baby needs so try not to worry too much. Maybe he doesnt want more milk, just wants to suckle.

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familygirl · 14/09/2007 18:23

He isn't wanting to stay attached to the breast-that's what's leading me to the conclusion my supply is low. He is feeding more often later in the day than earlier-that part is fine, but he is feeding for a short-ish time then pulling off and crying. When I try to squeeze any out there's none or only a drop. That's the bit that's causing me to wonder...

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familygirl · 14/09/2007 18:25

oh and yes, at times he does cluster feed early evening-good job my husband can put the other 2 to bed!

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familygirl · 14/09/2007 19:49

I'll perhaps try more oats-maybe a bit of baking whilst dh at home for weekend. A good excuse for flapjack?!

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BroccoliSpears · 14/09/2007 20:00

I mainlined flapjacks when I was BFing DD. Health food - honest!

I agree with those who said you can't 'run out'. Bmilk is produced on demand, although sometimes it doesn't feel like it when you have a furiously slurping baby and a sad, saggy empty balloon boob. Your body and your baby work together in beautiful harmony, and don't need your HV's (crackpot) ideas, IMO.

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prettybird · 16/09/2007 22:50

He can feed efficiently - again is he happy, healthy and alert? If you weren't weighing him, would you be worried?

The fact that you can only squeeze out a drop or two is irrelevent. You are not your baby - who can extract a totally different amount from you. It is like comparing the amount you can express with the amount your baby is getting. They are two totally different things.

Have confidence in your body's ability to meet your child's needs.

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