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Infant feeding

Get advice and support with infant feeding from other users here.

Original poster

Milk supply

22 replies

Viagrafalls · 21/10/2011 11:04

Is it possible to get a milk supply back up after it has decreased? I have been combination feeding but have been relying on bottles a bit more recently due to ill health, I tried to express this morning and only got a measly half and ounce after 40 minutes pumping, when I first started BF I could get 3 out in the same time. I have now been in tears as I feel I have completely blown it!

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tiktok · 21/10/2011 11:12

Yes, it is possible - the usual principles apply :)

Feed, feed, feed - at least both sides each time, and in the night, too, responding to feeding cues as soon as they show themselves, keeping your baby close/skin to skin. At the same time, reduce the formula gradually....exact rate and amount prob best discussed with a HV to ensure you're not going too quickly. You can also call any of the bf lines and they will help.

Expressing is not a guide to milk supply, either.

You can also look up 'relactation' on mumsnet or on the web for further back up.

Good luck!

bebemoojem · 21/10/2011 11:15

A good diet, get the baby back on the breast and do not rely on pumping or formula (as much as you can) often bring the supply back up.
Also, if you're around babies and lactating mothers that can help too. remember milk supply can be about psychology as well as physiology so kiss and cuddle your lo a lot. Try letting them nap on your chest (but don't fall asleep yourself), carrying them around in a sling and fussing over them a little more helps that 'maternal feeling' come back (part of it is you smell them and respond to to them and your body releases hormones in reaction to them so it actually does go back to physiology)
I've never had much joy pumping myself, but when the baby is on the breast my boobs respond. :)
Don't stress (as much as possible) and remember, life doesn't end if you do stop producing. We do what we have to do because we have to do it. We make the best choices we can and we shouldn't beat ourselves with the 'what ifs' and 'I should have'
xxx

Original poster
Viagrafalls · 21/10/2011 11:16

Thank-you! What do I do when there isnt enough and she has emptied both breasts? Can I top it up to satisfy her? She is 2 months old and quite hungry!

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Original poster
Viagrafalls · 21/10/2011 11:17

Thank-you also Bebe, I'm going to do my best to get this back

OP posts:
tiktok · 21/10/2011 11:19

How do you know the breasts are empty after she has been on both? Just put her back on side one again :)

It is possible your supply is right down if you have used a lot of formula, though, so you will have to judge things day by day/feed by feed. If putting her back on side one again results in her showing you she is not happy, then of course you would top up, keeping the top up to a minimum - so no mega-bottles of 200 mls.

Can you speak to your HV about this? It's an issue that needs someone who has some of your history in mind and can see you and your baby, IMO.

bebemoojem · 21/10/2011 11:21

Breasts are never really empty remember they are like a pool filled with an aquifer, always being replenished... If she's had both and won't go back on either then top up with formula or if you have time (and she's not like my first who screamed the house down) kiss and cuddle her back quiet and then put her on again in an hour or 45min. The more she sucks and stimulates the breasts the more likely the milk will come back in (and the faster typically too). Remember it can take 3 or 4 days to gain or lose supply so it might be a bit before you notice anything happening.

Original poster
Viagrafalls · 21/10/2011 12:07

Okay, thank-you all, I'm really suffering at the moment, really down and my OH is away working for the next ten days. It feels like I'm constantly crying and I'm so tired. This struggle to BF has been ongoing since the end of the first month and I just feel like I'm failing failing failing.

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crikeybadger · 21/10/2011 12:49

Viagrafalls Sad. You sound so down about all of this.

Is there anyone in real life that can come and give you some help for a bit while your OH is away? Then you can spend the day in bed and just snuggle up skin to skin with your LO and get that milk supply going again.

Or if there is nobody around, then just make things really easy on yourself - get some ready meals for a few days (diet doesn't actually affect milk supply btw), let the housework go for a bit and just spend some time with your baby.

Have you learnt how to co-sleep? If not, then seriously think about it- it was a lifesaver for me. You can just go to bed and feed, feed, feed and doze a bit.

Did you have difficulties that led you to combination feed?

You also find it useful to speak to one of the breastfeeding helplines or go to a breastfeeding group near to you so that you can speak to other people who are also finding things hard.

Original poster
Viagrafalls · 21/10/2011 13:18

I had so many difficulties!
I had mastitis in the second week and the fourth week, I was in so much pain even after it cleared up, then I was diagnosed with deep breast thrush which took ages to treat, my partner works away a lot, I have insomnia so its hard to sleep between feeds, my mum is abroad and we recently moved to a bigger property but in a town where i dont really know many people. I am so depressed at the moment. My baby has given up sleeping during the day for more than ten minutes at a time and so I can't rest dyring the day at all!
My friend is coming to see me this afternoon so I'm not completely alone but sometimes its so hard!

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32notout · 21/10/2011 13:25

Oh you poor thing, that sounds really hard.

Tiktok's advice is excellent (as usual) - feed feed feed is how I got my supply back up again after a week where my 8 week old was hospitalised and wasn't feeding. It was fairly tiring at first - so go to bed if you can, just resting if you can't sleep.

You could also try a supplemental nursing system (available online) - this dribbles the milk in whilst you are breast feeding, if you want to try to ditch the bottles altogether.

Good luck x

crikeybadger · 21/10/2011 14:10

That does sound really hard- you've been through a lot and it must make things harder without family around to support you.

The thing to remember though is that breastfeeding won't always be this hard- it will get easier, even if it doesn't feel like that now.

Also, if you are feeling depressed, then would a visit to the GP help do you think?

Have a look here and see if you can find a group near to you. Sounds like you could really benefit from a cup of tea and a chat with some other mums who have been through similar things already.

Original poster
Viagrafalls · 21/10/2011 18:39

I think I'm all cried out today! (weak smile emoticon)
DD has just gone to sleep and I am going to have a bath before she wakes for the next feed and see if I can relax and make some milk. Thanks for the link, will have a look now... Smile

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dizzy21 · 21/10/2011 22:50

im so sorry you fell like this
have you gone to a breastfeeding support group there are peer supporters that can help you-i would feed your baby reguarly one both sides spending good time on each side.im glad you have a friend coming to see youyou can find groups through your local childrens center,health visitor,cafes ect
Flowers: [hbiscuit

paranoidandroidwreckmyownlife · 21/10/2011 22:55

To be honest, I read about domperidone on the Jack Nrwman website and supplemented that for three to four weeks. I started feeding from nine days due to both of us being very poorly and slowly increased supply with help. By five weeks DD was EBF and I no longer needed any more help.

paranoidandroidwreckmyownlife · 21/10/2011 22:56

Newman sorry.

bebemoojem · 24/10/2011 08:11

How's it going today? Have you managed to sleep? Getting sleep makes the bad things so much easier to cope with.
Just try to take it easy and work up to things slowly. Remember that some of the problems will be that you're not dealing with a static thing, your baby's needs are changing almost daily and some of what you're experiencing (with feeding lots and not sleeping) may well be a growth spurt either physically or developmentally. I've got a 10 week old and we've had a number of days these past few weeks where she was doing this too -she feed nearly every hour last night- and I thought I'd die from exhaustion and that we'd never settle... but then I got a few days where she practically slept all day (so I made sure to rest -as much as I could with my toddler run about the place too) My supply too is all over the place so it's hard and stressful. I just want it to be easy! I want it to be simple and straighforward. I hate these early months when everything is settling into place. It takes forever to get to learn and understand these little things...BUT it does get easier I know. Abt 3m they start having their night and days sorted out and they settle much better and start growing their own habits, so just hold on.
sending you lots of supportive vibes
and
remember
just do the basics, don't think abt all the other stuff. Focus on you and the baby. Do things that make you happy even if they're 'self-indulgent' -ESPECIALLY if your partner is away and cannot help out. If you have to order pizza delivered every other day do it. And don't think/worry abt it.

Original poster
Viagrafalls · 24/10/2011 19:59

Hello! [smile[
Well, I must admit it is really really hard and so tiring as she is used to getting formula but I have managed to cut out 2 bottles during the day and one in the night by giving her breast milk. She is hungry more often and i'm finding it quite a struggle but if I can just do that much I will be happy.
I am also getting sore boobs in the morning which is a good sign I think!
The sleep thing is really making it more difficult - last night she slept between 3 and 6 but I was awake the whole time, in the end I cried myself to sleep at about half 5 just before she woke. I just dont know what to do, I've tried everything for my insomnia, thinking, not thinking, relaxing, reading, no caffiene, warm baths, lavender EVERYTHING. i know the stress of being so tired and worrying about sleep is just making things worse but I just dont know how to get over it!
It is so frustrating!
And obviously it makes me feel a thousand times worse/less able to cope!
thanks again, am not expecting anymore advice, but i will check in to see if anyone replied - Smile
xx

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crikeybadger · 24/10/2011 21:05

Ah hello Viagrafalls! I was wondering how you were getting on....

Great that you are managing to reduce the amount of formula- sounds like you've made good progress on that front. Smile

God the insomnia must be a nightmare for you and I really have no experience of it. You've obviously tried a lot of things, but I'm pretty sure you could get some more ideas if you posted about this in the 'sleep' section.

Take care of yourself.

bebemoojem · 25/10/2011 08:52

I struggle on an off with not sleeping myself -stress making it worse of course. Try not to lay in bed for hours thinking abt it. Get up and read, or watch tv, or clean for abt 15-30 min. Then try going back to bed.
Sometimes I find if I wear an eye mask it helps as the lack of light helps. Also, I often cover myself completely (even my head) with the blankets. The dark warmth (and I imagine the lowered amt of oxygen) helps me to relax.
It's very tough I know. But keep up the good work and after a while it'll all ease and be better. You'll just have rough spots now and again, but you'll know you can get through them because you know you got through this. :)
xxx

Original poster
Viagrafalls · 26/10/2011 11:49

I already wear an eye mask!
Well, typically my timing is perfect as she now seems to be having a growth spurt so we were bothup most of the night - at least I now have some company in the wee small hours I suppose. going to try to persevere with the BF as it is and go slowly. If I'm honest its difficult as I love love love that lovely feeling when she feeds from me but I also love that feeling after shes had formula and sleeps a bit better!

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Original poster
Viagrafalls · 26/10/2011 12:08

Keep meaning to say thanks to you all!

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crikeybadger · 26/10/2011 16:28

Glad you're OK Viagrafalls- just think, all that breastfeeding in the night should start to give you that extra oxytocin surge that should mean that you fall back to sleep afterwards.

Well, that's the idea anyway!

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