just starting to panic about my milk supply.....

[legallyblond]

... but i think i am probably being silly!

Basically, my ebf 4 week old dd has fed well from day 1 and has been gaining a solid 8oz per week (was born on and has stayed on 75th centile).

She was feeding every 2 hours day and night and doing efficient 10 min feeds each time, always on 1 breast only. recently though, she has started doing about 4 hours between night feeds and 3 between day feeds, apart from sometimes (morning and evening i think) where its more like 90 mins between feeds. also, instead of efficient 10 mins feeds, she seems to take longer and need both breasts, or sometimes just snacks/comfort sucks (although for her 2 night feeds, she just solidly gulps for 10 mins and goes back to sleep). and in the evenings niether breast ever seems full - i feel like they are both empty whish is why she feeds so often maybe.

i guess i just need some reassurance that these longer gaps between feeds won't makeme dry up... i worry that maybe she now needs both sides as i have less milk?

i have found that none of the nhs literature says anything helpful about bf and all my friends from nct ect are now only ff - i am the only one still bf (and i hope to carry on for months yet!) so i really don't know what is normal etc.... any support or advice v gratfully received!

ps - excuse typing - am bf!

Hi,

At work so no time to reply properly, but try www.kellymom.com for lots of breastfeeding info.

It has bits of frequency of feeding and cluster feeding which is what it sounds like your DD may be doin gin the evenings if you have to swap sides over and over :)

hope that helps.

Firstly - well done! And congratualtions on birth of your DD.

I'm not an expert, but it sounds like you are doing absolutely brilliantly. DD is only 4 weeks - bfing is still settling down so don't worry about timings changing.

It's completely normal to feel like your breasts aren't full, it doesn't mean there's no milk there. And completely normal to feed a lot in the evening, my midwife used to say my DD was "placing her order for the next day" as the more they suck in the evening, the more you'll make over night.

As far as I understand it, so long as you let your DD suckle as often as she likes and for as long as she likes, your milk supply will be just perfect for her.

Maybe she is sucking for longer because she is managing to stay awake for longer? When my DD was newborn we had to tickle her feet to keep her awake during feeds but she gradually grew out of dozing off while feeding.

So long as she is peeing, pooing and gaining weight you have absolutely no cause for concern.

Good luck, and make the most of 4 hours between feeds during the night - it will probably change again before you know it!!

hello op......your baby's behaviour coupled with what sounds like lovely weight gain is well within the scope of what's normal.....

Feeding a baby when she asks for as long as she wants will not make your milk 'dry up'.. the warnings about long gaps between feeds are most relevant to babies who aren't effective feeders or who would like to feed more often than a schedule suggests.

Re how your breasts feel, this sounds like part of the normal post-birth process...basically in the early weeks you move from a hormonally driven supply to one that is structured by your baby. Put another way, full breasts are telling you that there is a baby who is overdue a feed: around 4-8 weeks it is fairly typical for your body and your baby to be more in tune with each other meaning that you make as much milk as she needs, rather than more. As for whether she needs both sides....perhaps offer them and see...

Thanks all! I feed on demand, of course, so I hope all will be well. i just find nhs help (although my hv is supportive, she just says "feed on demand") rather inadequate. Beyond all the "brest is best for me and baby" posters, there is no accurate or helpful information about what breastfeeding a newborn is like, what is normal and generally what to expect... does anyone else think that? I just think it would be great if there was a comprehensive guide given to all mothers free - stuff like, if you get a blocked duct, this is what to do, how often is within the normal ranges for a newborn to feed etc etc...

Actually, just read this:

www.kellymom.com/bf/normal/newborn-nursing.html#afterweek1

That's what I needed on day one out of the hospital! Thankfully I seemed to do it on instinct alone, but that's luck!

Even if all mums were given, on leaving hospital, a printout from kellymom, that would be helpful!!!

Yay! Glad you liked it. I was so impressed when I found Kellymom via here.

Sounds like you and DD are doing great.