Increasing supply

[LeeseJamandAlly]

DS2 is nearly 5 months and mix fed (he gets the occasional bottle at bedtime but boob all the rest). He's had a cold for the last couple of weeks and has not been feeding well. Things seem to be getting back to normal but he's still hungry after emptying both boobs so looks like my supply has dipped. I'm putting him to the breast as often as I can (DH saying this is a sure fire way to get him snacking...) and also trying to pump after each feed. Any other ideas to help boost my supply?

How can you tell he's hungry after having both boobs? Have you tried switching to your 'third' breast?

Putting him to the breast often is great, pumping may well be a waste of time. Are you feeding at night?

Your breasts are never 'empty'. Offer a third/fourth/fifth side. It's probably a growth spurt too. Just feed feed feed.

Nothing wrong with snacking - why do people think this is a terrible thing with a baby? It's not so great if you are 20 stone and trying to lose weight, but a baby of 5 mths old is trying to put it on :) :)

I agree - putting him back to the breast again is more effective (and easier) than pumping (what a chore!). Lots of babies want three or four or more sides, and to 'cluster feed' - 'tis 100 per cent normal :)

Thanks all! tiktok - I have no issues with snacking, it's DH who thinks it's somehow wrong! Suppose I thought breasts were empty because he was coming off appearing v frustrated and I couldn't squeeze any more milk from them!

snacking is the best way to boost your supply. It may be all thats needed in this situation.

The flow of the milk does slow down (and they can get frustrated) but keeping going is how your body knows to make more. And you can't squeeze milk out of them because you're not as effective a pump as your ds. Honestly, it's a river, not a pond.