Milk production is slowing down 7 weeks in - how do I boost it?

[LKirk]

My DD is 7 weeks old and breast-feeding had been going well. However in the past week to 10 days I've noticed it slowing down and she is sometimes getting frustrated at my breast. I've been expressing and sometimes I can get a full 4oz bottle out but other times barely an ounce. She definitely gets a better feed from one side. She started sleeping through the night really early on and I'm wondering if the lack of feeding at night is the reason it's slowing down. Any tips on how I can boost my supply again?

First of all expressing is absolutely no indication of milk supply whatsoever. Your baby is much better at getting milk than a pump. Apart from that what makes you think your supply is slowing down? It wont be. Your lo will make sure of that. It sounds like growth spurt and cluster feeding. All totally normal. Your baby will be setting your supply. Your supply would have also adjusted to your babies patterns so as long as no weight concerns etc no need to do anything different! Enjoy the sleep and honestly your body knows what its doing. Your supply will not be dwindling!

Have a read of this on Kellymom and see what you think. How's her weight gain been? Are you still getting frequent wet nappies? (It's normal though for the number of dirty nappies to change around six weeks - although also normal for it not to.)

Thank you. That Kellymom article was really helpful. With my first baby I went down with flu at 5 weeks and completely dried up so perhaps I'm a bit paranoid about it happening again! Her weight gain has been fine but she hasn't been weighed for a couple of weeks and it's only been the past 7-10 days I've noticed a change. It isn't just that my pumped quantities have dropped though...it's that she often seems frustrated and sometimes cries when she's trying to feed. And her feeding rhythm is different...it looks like she's having to work much harder for the milk. That to me suggested that she's not getting what she wants. But perhaps there's another reason for that.

Thanks.

There are some herbal supplements which can assist with boosting milk supply

kellymom.com/bf/can-i-breastfeed/herbs/fenugreek/#effect

Also getting as much physical rest and avoiding mental stress wherever possible, helps your body keep the milk coming.

Good luck.

sounds like a growth spurt.

the amount you can express doesn't mean anything as stated above. :)

their wee patterns and behaviour change so much when they're tiny!

yes, its normal but it might also not be. see my thread www.mumsnet.com/Talk/breast_and_bottle_feeding/1549038-How-can-baby-get-enough-breast-milk

fwiw i often could pump a lot when dd seemed so so hungry (cried every time near breast for hours without latching for more than 10 secs- sunken fontanelle); wouldn't stay on long enough to get my let down. Pump would stay on to get multiple letdowns. It was much more efficient than her! and couldn't understand why everyone said it wouldn't be under any circumstances- really made me feel useless. Frustration seemed to happen everytime my milk supply stablisied/established and flow was less forceful/softer breasts. The first few weeks (and when I pumped oversupply) I had no problem.

Thank you so much all. My mind is at ease and I'll just keep doing what I'm doing and keep an eye on weight. Don't know why I didn't think 'growth spurt'...seems very obvious now!

Asmywhimsytakesme - you mention that I need to watch her sleeping through night. Funny you brought that up as I started an earlier thread ' 7-week-old sleeping 10-11 hours at night - should I wake her?' Most said no so long as she's putting on weight and is fine. I'll keep an eye on it. Thanks for the advice.