How do I keep up with demand? Please

[DelGirl]

DD is 18 weeks and is mainly breastfed, apart from the odd bottle of formula or ebm here and there. She has been sleeping through from 7ish until about 5.30 for about 7 weeks now, with the odd night waking a bit earlier but then she feeds for 10 mins and usually goes back until at least 7 or 8am.

During the day she mostly feeds 2 hourly. Sometimes she'll go longer, at other times less. But, she does tend to cluster feed between 5 and 7.

I think I may answer my own question here but would still be grateful for some input. The past few days, I can't seem to keep up with demand around bed time, I really don't think the milk is there. The last 2 nights, she has fed from both sides and then had 4oz of formula on top of that and still woke up at 3am.

I did join slimming world last week and i'm sure I'm eating enough because i'm not going hungry. You can have lots of extra's like cheese etc when you're bf. However, I have been having a lot of late nights recently (mn is mainly to blame) and I know i'm not drinking enough.

Could these 2 factors really affect my milk that much? I really don't want to give up. It took me ages to get the hang of it and now I have I don't intend to give up easily. Would it help if I express at night and use that as a top up the next night. It will keep that long won't it in the fridge. What I mean is, I don't really want to give that much formula as I kind of feel/want that i'm enough iyswim, at least until she starts weaning.

Thanks for reading this far

um - if it was me, Id probably start giving some baby rice in the evenings, as she sounds quite hungry.

but as this is now against who guidelines, you'll have to make your own mind up about that.

have you tried to wean her. she may be trying to tell you that its time. give baby rice ago.

Drink water whilst your BF'ding, as this helps keep you hydrated = more milk (or so I was told last time I was doing it!) it just sounds to me like dd is on the grow and thus your milk supply is increasing, which is why she's feeding more...huge pain whilst its happening, but give it another few days and your boobs should catch up with demand....in the meantime try and stay positive

thanks you 2, but I really hoped I coud leave ut until she's 6 months though. Thanks

is this your first child?

thanks frizbe. I'd forgotten that they need time to catch up. Sounds odd, doesn't it . I'm not really disheartened as such though I suppose my post may have come across that way, just need to know the solution.

I wouldnt put too much by her taking the formula. IT's something different ie you've always room for desert. You'd have to be verging malnutrition for your intake of food to affect your milk.

It may be a growth spurt which will past. Just feed more often and your supply will adjust to suit the demand.

Try kellymoms website

Yes she is MCS

if your milk flow doesnt increase i dont think you have much choice but to try weaning sorry

It sounds as if it might be a growth spurt - as far as I remember they get one at about 16 - 18 weeks. I was always told that keeping well-hydrated was important when breast-feeding and I always felt thirsty when I was doing it, so start drinking plenty of water.

I'd hold off on the weaning though, if you can - if it's a growth spurt then your milk supply will catch up soon.

babies go through hungry times.keep feeding on demand! I wouldnt reccommend weaning!

I definitely wouldn't give baby rice because it's nutritionally inferior to milk. They go through growth spurts and times when they want more. Also by sucking more she will build up your supply.. BM wokrs on a supply and demand basis.

To build up your supply, let her feed as often as she likes and make sure you get plenty of rest. Your body will oblige. Trust it.

We lactate more when lying down so if you can, have a little rest in the day. Also if she wants to feed at night, let her.

I wouldn't advise slimming at this point for the sake of your own energy levels. But dieting won't affect your milk supply. Women in famine situations still lactate perfectly well.

here

babybrain hercules but i'm not sure I understand the 1st sentence . Do you mean I should try not to give it or not worry that I am. I just feel if I keep giving, my supply will dwindle further iyswim.

just re-read it and it makes sense now lol

with my first i started weaning at 16weeks second was 9-10weeks and third hopefully at 16weeks but still got another 12weeks to start.

When you have stuffed yourself with your main course somehow you always find room for desert because it's different.
By giving formula at the end you will affect your supply of bm as it is the baby sucking that causes it to produce more so dont give it.

thanks everyone, I kind of knew that was the answer and that I shouldn't spend so much time 'socialising on MN' and I must must must drink more. I think i;m going to set an alarm every hour to remind me to drink a pint. At the moment I barely have 2 litres. This time next week, it'll be back to normal.. Thanks very much. I'm going to go and have something to eat now and put my feet up . Oh btw, I do feed her on demand during the night too .

so it should keep coming then, even if I think i've run out? How long do you think I should feed for. Up to an hour maybe?

As long as she wants. When she is feeding she is also stimulating you to produce more milk to meet her needs. They also get more efficient and as they get older can get what they need in 10 minutes. It's just getting over growth spurts.
I exclusively fed till 6 months and dd had short feeds after 4 1/2 months.

Look at my link, it's really good!

Your breasts are never empty and you would need to be seriously malnourished for diet to affect your supply.

I was told that they get plenty in the first half hour, and anything else is just sucking for the fun of it .

I would avoid giving formula if you can DelGirl (as it does affect your milk supply), and relax with your baby feeding as often as she likes, drinking plenty of water even if you're not thirsty. Your milk supply will catch up, honest . The night waking is probably just a growth spurt and will settle again in a few days.

Know it's all been said before! Good luck.

yes I did, thanks. I had her weighed this morning though and she's only gained 2.5 oz in 2 weeks. They were on different scales though but the hv didn't seem concerned. I did ask if it was ok and she said that she's still following the 9th centile and that dd looked particularly active and nosy. Also she said that dd is quite long so maybe thats where her energy is going.

thanks, I know it will settle and I won't give the formula at night. (though I do sometimes when we go out but thats only a couple of times a week usually that we're out long enough to need to). I don't mind feeding her as and when, I really don't. Just feeling a bit funny that I can't seem to give her enough atm

just think everytime you sit and feed her you are resting. Have a drink everytime you feed then you will remember!!