Why am I not oozing milk?! And other bfing queries..

[SquarePolarBear]

Ds is 2weeks old, I've been bfing since the word go, apart from a little blip on days 3 & 4 where I gave a small formula top up-- which I've learnt since is not a good move for the whole supply & demand business, so I swiftly ditched the formula & have been feeding on demand since.

Despite this ds is still not back to his birthweight, although he's not far off and is gaining, just very slowly.

A few people including my Dm have mentioned how they couldn't go without breast pads when they bfed because of endlessly leaky boobs, but I rarely feel full let alone leak milk-- and the same happened when I bfed my dd for 9 months. Does it just vary from woman to woman?

Also, when ds does feed, he usually sucks for no more than 5-10 mins per side then he's done. He seems to be quite an efficient feeder (I had the latch checked and that seems to be fine) but as he's not gaining much weight maybe I'm doing something wrong? Do I need to try & keep him on for longer? I did try but he just lies there quite happily just looking around with nipple in mouth. Not sucking.

I suppose I just want to know what's normal, and how I can improve things really. I should know after doing it all before with dd, just have a few doubts this time round and want to get it sorted!

Thanks in advance!

I'm no expert, but I can tell you that not only does it vary woman to woman, but it varies baby to baby.

I barely used breastpads with DD2. It was fantastic.

I thought my breasts had got better at the whole breastfeeding business because I was a leaky mess with DD1.

DD3 disabused me of any notions of progress. I'm back to breastpads and wet circles on my top.

:o

It's a while ago or me so I'm not up to scratch on tips but wanted o say that DS1 didn't regain birth weight until 2.5 weeks so don' panic as long as he's gaining weight.

Also, I fed DS1 for about 8 months and DS2 for 2yrs 3monts and only ever leaked once. It varies massively by person and not leaking isn't a problem. I do remember wondering if I had enough milk as I never felt 'full' either but clearly I did and sounds like you do too.

Sounds like you're doing a great job, keep it up!

The breastpads thing is different for each women.

Even though it might not feel like he's feeding, it's likely he's flutter feeding (think it's called), just flicking his tongue a little to get the really rich fatty milk. Keep him on the first breast until you're sure he's done, leave him there until he falls off on his own. If he hasn't dropped off then he'll be getting the really good stuff. Better to do one boob per feed to make sure he gets all the rich milk, it changes throughout as you feed, from more watery to more fatty, so if he's filling up on watery from both sides he won't get what he needs iykwim.

But sounds like you're doing a good job, keep it up :) xx

I don't think you're doing anything wrong. It sounds like he's not a hungry baby, otherwise he wouldn't be lying there happily. However, I was told that a full feed would be about 15-20mins, so I would try to keep him on for longer before switching sides( as after 5mins he wouldn't be getting the creamy stuff).

I'm sure you already know that the first milk that comes out is watery, to satisfy thirst, and then it becomes fuller/creamier to satisfy hunger. If your DS is not gaining as quickly as you'd like, it may be that he's not getting to the creamy part.
I wouldn't worry though because he is still gaining weight, albeit slowly.

With my DC1&2 I bf and then topped up with formula because after draining both, they were still hungry- but even so, I never needed breast pads. The only time I did leak ( slightly) was when my DH and I went out for dinner and I missed a feed.

DC3 is 4 months old now, and this time round I have leaked quite a bit, but haven't needed to top up as DC seems satisfied with what I have. I put it down to my body finally getting the proper idea of how much milk to make-or possibly that this one isn't as hungry as the other 2 were.

Besides, every woman is different- my mum used to tell me stories of how much extra milk she'd had with me( and that's why with DC1 I questioned why I didn't seem to produce enough)..

Really, don't worry and carry on with what you're doing, but try to keep him on for longer. If he doesn't suck, tap your finger under his chin to remind him to suck ( midwives taught me that trick) as he may be so caught up in looking around that he forgets.

I'd go and see your health visitor or community midwife if you're still worried, or he's not gaining weight. There's lots of support out there if you need it, but I think you'll be fine (as long as baby is gaining, even if slowly)

Good luck and I'm sure it'll all work out.

I didn't leak much at all after my milk came in. I must've used 4 disposable pads, and washed the re-usable ones a couple of times before I didn't nee them any more.

I agree with the tapping him on chin, or wiping your nipple on his cheek to get him to re-latch.

Oh, and also, the baby that left me dripless and dry had the shortest feeds.

She was just incredibly efficient at getting what she needed.

When he has the nipple in his mouth is he still latched on or does it fall out of you moved? If he's still latched on, don't take him off (although tricks to encourage more sucking are good). If he's coming off on his own, wind, then offer the other side.
How often is he feeding? If weight gain is slow, you might want to try offering a bit more often, every 2 hours.

Have you looked at kellymom.com? 10 minutes doesn't seem long enough to me for one that little, but it is really difficult to tell without seeing. Might be worth getting a second opinion on the latch. Have you a la leche league group near you?

Never leaked either but have got enough milk to breast feed twins!

I was never leaky but neither dd had any formula, so supply must've been ok.

I only leaked - very occasionally - in the first 4 weeks with dd. with DS didn't leak at all. Dd was weighed 4 days ago and had out on over a lb in 2 weeks. It varies.

Thanks so much for all the advice (bloody love MN!)..

Ironically last night I leaked milk in bed, lol. But it's great to know its different for everyone, and even every baby. That Kellymom site is a great source-- thanku jolly it answered a lot of my questions.

I'm trying to keep him on for longer (its usually him who comes off of his own accord) more like 20 mins in stead of ten, and that's around every 2 hours -but at night it's more like every 3 hours, and it's usually easier to keep him on for longer as I presume he's hungrier.

I'm going to get him weighed again on tues (he'll be 2.5 weeks old) so hopefully we'll be back on track.

I haven't checked La leche group but there is a breastffeeding clinic at my local hosp so might pop along there for reassurance.

skygirls I had always been told the same about watery milk & fattier stuff at the back and it seems to make sense but last bfing woman I spoke to (last week) said that now they're saying every milk cell has fatty & watery milk?!! Even she seemed unconvinced by this new theory. Has anyone else heard this?

I breastfed DS until he was 7 months old. Never leaked once, not a drop. He took about 3 weeks to regain his birth weight and cluster fed like crazy in the evenings.

All milk is the same - its just that milk that has sat around for a while will let some of the fat stick to the milk duct walls (a bit like leaving orange juice with bits in in your glass), so that what is easiest to move is the thinner, and then as the breast is emptier the fat comes out.

Have you heard of switch feeding? You swap between breasts several times during the feed so that the flow is faster - so maybe 2 mins, swap, 2mins, swap until he's done.

Someone explained to me that out was like a Macdonalds thick milkshake, so if you sucked gently you get the melted watery stuff and if you really went for it you get the thick creamy stuff, but I prefer that orange juice analogy. It's fab

Great ananolgy CMOTDibller.

Switch feeding is good too - I did this with my LO to keep him interested and to up supply.

Not meaning to derail, but don't wish for leaking. Its a pain in the bum and doesn't mean your supply is 'better'. I can get through several pads a day and still have embarrassing white ringed stains on my top. As if there wasn't enough laundry!

Aha ok think I'm getting the watery/fatty milk concept now... Interestingly I read on the Kellymom site that pcos (which i have) can effect your milk supply..? Either way I'm feeling much better about it all now as I had ds weighed today and he's gone from 8lb5oz last thurs to 9lb11oz today, so we're obvs doing something right!
:)

Oh that's really good news. Well done :)