Getting my milk supply back up

[redlaura]

A month ago I introduced formula for my son who is a stone in weight at 7 weeks. I felt that I wasn't producing enough milk in the evenings so we gave him formula at 7-8 ish and again at 11.

About 5 days ago he started to have real problems pooing. He'll start straining at 3am and it can take until 7 or 8 before he finally poos. Then last night he was screaming from 1am to 7am as he couldn't poo.

Doctor advises that I go back to full time breastfeeding but I don't have much of a supply in the evening. I've started with fenugreek capsules and fennel tea but any other suggestions to up the supply. Also, is this really the best way to go? I don't see hhow I can satisfy my boy just by the boob, and as for being able to express anything if i EBF, i really struggle and feel totally trapped in the house. Took 6 days to express enough to go and get my hair cut.

All advice gratefully received.

The herbal remedies can be effective, but the best way to get your supply back up is to feed more often.

You can also switch nurse- ie. offer one side, then once your baby seems to have finished, or slows down, you can offer the other side. You can keep swapping many, many times.

Don't worry about how much you can or can't express, as I'm sure you know that this is not an indication of how much milk you have.

What gave you the impression that you didn't have enough milk in the evening?
Babies can be fussy in the evenings and will often want to feed non stop for a couple of hours- this is completely normal behaviour and does not mean that you don't have enough milk for them.

Are you offering the breast after the 11pm formula feed? (ie. at some point in the night as this is another good way to get your supply back up).

You might also get some good advice from one of the breastfeeding helplines.

I'm really not sure about suddenly stopping the formula feeds or whether you would need a plan to slowly reduce the amount of formula if it has impacted on your supply in a big way. I would think that a breastfeeding counsellor would be able to help you with this.

HTH

Thanks crikeybadger. Ds is in 95th percentile. He cluster feeds slot which is fine but in the evenings after a while he starts tearing at my nipple and crying in frustration. That's why I didn't think he was getting enough. I plan on breastfeeding ad much as ds will take over next few days

Good idea about calling the helplines. Thanks

Formula often causes constipation rub his tummy in a clockwise direction for 10mins because it help push everything through. Make sure you do it the right way or itll make hime more constipated.

It is possible that your child isn't destined to be on such a high percentile and is just slowing down just as many children go the other way. My DD went from being on the 50th centile to 95 in a similar number of weeks, she just fed alot and now she is perfectly in proportion as she is very tall for her age. So he may well just be finding his place. Make sure you eat healthily and drink plenty of water for you both and I wouldnt interfere with formula etc if his happy on the breast the rest of the day. It could also be that the milk isnt coming fast enough for him or its too fast so experiment with different positions.