Supply gone

[pinkbear82]

I went away over the weekend, leaving expressed milk and some formula for my dd who had only had breast milk up until last week, when I tried her on some formula just to make sure she was ok.

My parents and DP mix fed her while I was away. She did very well.

I wasn't able to express as much as I would have fed over the weekend and my dd today doesn't want to feed from me she has a suck and then fusses and won't go back on. I gave her a bottle of formula at lunch and she took 5oz and has been more settled since then then she has been all morning.

I tried expressing after this and only got 1.5oz from both breasts when I have in the past expressed 4oz or more.

I think I may have messed my supply up and feel awful about that. Does anyone have any tips on how I can get dd back on the breast, I feel like I deserted her and now she doesn't want me. Just had horrible argument with my mum too because I feel so bad about it all.

I didn't particularly want to go at the weekend and I really wish I had listened to how I felt.

[HelpMePleaseImConfused]

Hi Pinkbear, first of all, how old is your baby? This exact thing happened to me two weeks ago so i hope i can help! My supply felt like it had conpletely disappeared, i could hardly even squeeze a drop out, couldnt pump a drop, my ds was going mental at the breast, and my boobs looked completely empty like never before. I cried buckets thinking that was the end, but with some work, within a couple of days my supply was back to normal and that was even with me returning to work from mat leave.

I would advise from what i know, not to give any formula at all for the next few days, even if your dd is fussing,because you need to feed her to stimulate your supply back. I just had a whole day of bringing ds to the breast as often as possible. He is 8mo so is on solids, so i offered him no solids for a couple of days and just bf him instead. He wakes anyway for night feeds, but if your dd doesnt, i would recommend getting her up for a couple of night feeds just for a couple of days. I have been told by a bf support worker that 12-4am is when prolactin levels are at their peak, so i would make one of those feeds then. I also took fenugreek and drank fennel tea. Just feed feed feed is the key.

[worldgonecrazy]

This happened to me. I took fenugreek until I stank, and borrowed a hospital grade pump from the hospital/midwife.

I expressed every two hours and fed as normal too. It took 3 days for my supply to get back up. Night feeds are the most important so you may have to sacrifice a couple of days to get things back on track.

My baby was about 3 months old when this happened.

[pinkbear82]

Thank you helpme. She is 15 weeks. Your advise makes sense, and as she still wakes about twice a night that should be ok. Hate seeing her upset but will try and persevere with it.

First time I left her as well feel awful about it all.

Where did you get the teas from? Are they ghastly tasting?

Really don't want it to be the end of bfing her so keeping fingers crossed.

Glad you have a success story and have shared. Thank you

[pinkbear82]

Thank you world..... My mum suggested phoning my midwife, did you contact them or your hv re the pump? Guessing my little tommee tippee isn't going to cut the grade

[HelpMePleaseImConfused]

Try not to panic, although i know i did so it is hard. But i just thought that if i fed as much as i physically could, i had done all i could. I was so angry with myself for not pumping more when i was away and leaving him as well so i know how you feel. The fussiness can be upsetting and frustrating, but as your supply returns ans it reduces it is such a relief.

If she still wakes a couple of times a night, i would maybe add in another one or two, add extra feeds in during the day, and as World suggested, pump after feeds. It doesnt matter what your pump is like, you just need to stimulate your breasts, and if you were getting at least 4oz before, your pump is obviously capable of doing that. Itll be a lot of feeding, but just take a couple of days out, sit on the couch with some snacks and lots of water and it should work within a couple of days.

The fenugreek and fennel tea were from a health shop, but you can probably get the tea at the supermarket. The tea tastes like aniseed to me, which i dont like so cant say i love it but i tend to let it cool enough to down it in one go and you do get used to the taste.

[worldgonecrazy]

I asked the hv for help and they lent me the pump. I also had the Tommee Ripper hand pump. Try not to think about how much you are expressing, your baby is much more efficient than any pump. Just feed, feed, feed and get those milk hormones fired up. Get everything in your life geared to getting supply up.

Good luck.

[pinkbear82]

Thank you both so much. You have calmed me right down. Will send DP out with a list of snacks and bits and shall take up root and feed and express like there is no tomorrow.

Thank you again x

[HelpMePleaseImConfused]

No problem, good luck