Milk supply seems to b lessening... :-( pls help!!

[louloupoo]

My DS is 6 wks old 2moro and has been feeding well. The past few nights I've been expressing into a bottle so that DP can help with the night feeds. However today I've hardly been able to express any. DS has seemed to feed ok but he has been rather fussy on both boobs. I dont know if this is because he's not getting much milk or growth spurt or ... anything else.

Is it possible that my milk supply has lessened suddenly? And if so how do I increase it again? It proved to be a massive help having DP help during the night and would like to continue.

Any advice welcome :-)

it#s probably just one of those things.... but i always get this when my period is due

first sign is very fussy baby, then feeds becoime more frequent, THEN period arrives.

I haven't got any advice but is there a breastfeeding cafe near you - the midwives that ran the one near me were always very helpful on things like this. Could be a growth spurt. Are you expressing at night - might be worth doing it earlier when you have more milk (I think). TBH don't really know what I'm talking about, hopefully somone will come along who does

Hi loulou,

There could be a number of reasons:

• It is possible that your DS is a bit miffed not to be getting the faster letdown that the bottle gives him. If you can avoid the bottle for a week or two it may help, or try feeding expressed milk from a cup instead.
• Most likely it's the 6 week growth spurt. Let him feed anytime he's showing signs of wanting to feed and in a day or two your milk will increase to satisfy him.
• Feeding overnight gives him lovely, creamy milk (night milk is richer) and really keeps your supply going, so if you can possibly do that without completely knackering yourself, that helps. You may want to consider co-sleeping, if you're not, and learning to feed lying down so you can just let him get on with it - I personally get much more sleep that way. Night feeding is also important to keep up your supply although the odd night won't be a problem.
• Don't worry about not expressing much just now. I express every morning - 1/2 goes into the freezer for my own son and the other 1/2 for milk donation to the local hospital. Sometimes I get loads, and other days virtually nothing. Just how it happens - quite normal.

Your milk won't just stop. Your boobs will start to feel less full now that you've got to 6 weeks but that's normal - there's still plenty.

Make sure you're getting 6-8 wet nappies a day and he'll probably still be pooing a couple of times a day - that's the best sign he's getting enough.

You're doing brilliantly - relax :)

Agree with organiccarrotcake- it could be a growth spurt. He is feeding more so there is less left over, not that you are producing less if you see what I mean. Babies are more effective at getting milk than pumps, so not always the best indicator of what's available, so try not to worry too much. I've heard it mentioned on here that a good way of increasing supply though is feeding at night.

I had thought it might be a growth spurt so thats reassuring to hear. I keep hearing about co-sleeping and lying down 4 feeds...

I sort of tried lying down when in hosp as I had ECS but didnt really get the hang of it. I'll have to try again.

Thanks :-)