3 months milk decreasing

[Chunk9]

Help! My little girl is 14 weeks. She is combination fed, which had been working well but the last few days my milk seems to be decreasing. She gets really restless and agitated when I try and feed her. I’ve tried to feed her more to up my supply but she just gets more agitated. With how hot it has been too I’ve ended up giving up and giving her a bottle of formula to make sure she’s hydrated. I just don’t know what to do! She fed on me this morning about 7:30 which went ok. Then when I tried to feed her a few hours later she just kept pulling off and crying. I gave her formula then tried expressing to see if I was producing and only pumped 60ml in total. Any suggestions???

[mamaandthegirls]

This was the same for me and DD2, in the end because I did combination feeding, she got used to how quick the milk came out of a bottle teat rather than my boobs (babies are clever little things!) there are foods you can eat that are supposed to help boost milk supply but I’m not sure how good they really are. I say just keep persevering with the breastfeeding, and try to not use as much formula / any bottles. But, always remember to do what YOU feel is best for you and your baby

[Chunk9]

Thank you for your message. I wondered if it was a flow thing, especially with being hot, she has been wolfing the bottles down. I fed her myself before bed and through the night no problem. This morning so far so good too. Everything crossed we’re back in the swing of it! I’m not ready to give up x

[CmdrCressidaDuck]

She might just be having a growth spurt? Babies often become fussier then. Many people also can't express much but feed their babies fine. Your supply doesn't just suddenly drop for no reason - if you keep letting her feed your body will make more and up the supply. Stay hydrated yourself, settle in for a day or two and let her feed is my advice.

[JiltedJohnsJulie]

All sounds like perfectly normal baby behaviour and itching you have mentioned would lead me to believe you have a problem with your supply.

However it might be worth ruining one of the BFing Helplines or visiting a BFing support group for sone reassurance.

[snowbrigade]

Remember to drink plenty in this heat to keep up your supply.

She probably is just having a fussy phase and is liking the faster flow from the bottle at the moment.

It's around this time also when babies become much more aware of what's going on around them and can struggle to concentrate on feeding (especially the slower boob feed) as there's so much to look at.

Keep offering her the boob to keep up your supply. You could try feeding her in the bed lying down, perhaps that way she might be less distracted and would concentrate on the feed!

[Chunk9]

Thanks for all the advice.

I’m confident now there’s nothing wrong with my supply. A couple of months back I was pumping about 5oz a time but after some research that was overproducing and it’s normal to be less now. Last night and this morning are going great. Think I’m just going to limit the bottles as much as possible and focus on feeding. Might get into bed and have some skin to skin feeding when my son is at nursery this afternoon.

[CmdrCressidaDuck]

All sounds like perfectly normal baby behaviour and itching you have mentioned would lead me to believe you have a problem with your supply.


However it might be worth ruining one of the BFing Helplines

Jeez, Julie, I know that you don't always get the best advice, but ruining them seems to be going a tad far...

Can't stop giggling at my desk now.