Supply question (mixed feeding)

[bakedpotato]

I love mixed feeding -- just thought I'd make that clear . However, I need some advice. I'm breastfeeding at 7.30am, 2pm and 5.15pm-ish. By the late afternoon feed, is my supply likely be OK, coming so soon after the earlier feed? They don't feel as full as they do at the other feeds.
I give DS a small bottle of ebm at bedtime around 6.30pm, and he settles well, but it's hard to tell how neccessary the topup is (he always takes it enthusiastically though).
Ds is almost 13 wks.

[Georgiasmum]

Hi, I followed a v similar routine to that when DD was about 4 mths... and like you always wondered if i was providing enough by the afternoon. But even when i was exclusively BF my supply was low by the pm. If your baby seems happy with the 5.15 feed, I'm sure you're doing fine as the body adjusts its supply accordingly - of course if you dropped the feed completely you probably would run to low supplies in the pm. Have you thought of leaving the bottle until later? It would give you an idea of how satisfied your DS is with the pm BF.

[bakedpotato]

he always grumbles a bit at the end of the 5.15 feed, but usually perks up in a few minutes. So: could be wind, indigestion, hunger overruled by his customary sunniness... i just don't know.
I give him the topup at 6.30-7 bcs that's just before he goes to sleep.

[SenoraPostrophe]

Your body adjusts to the feeds you give. I've been feeding ds 2 or 3 times a day for the last 6 months or so (more before that) and i find that as long as you stick to roughly the same times, you don't have any supply problems. After a while I didn't feel full ever, but he was getting a lot of milk. I know that because I stopped the other day and there are PINTS in there!

Also remember that when you're "feeling full" it's likely to be because there is a lot of foremilk. Your ds is probably getting more hind milk at 5.15 (or something - not completely sure on that).