curious!!

[MadameJ]

I often hear/read about a mum's " supply dropping" but apart from the obvious like dehydrated baby etc how on earth do you know. I am currently bf'ing my second dc so I'm sure I should probably know!!

I think women interpret a lot of situations to mean their supply is dropping.

I've heard women say it when their breasts go from that initial horrible, huge, hard, uncomfortable phase, to being softer and more comfortable (about 6 weeks ish) but their supply hasn't dropped, their body has just sorted things out.

If baby goes through a very fussy, unsettled few days women can be concerned their supply has dropped but I would attribute this to a growth spurt and recommend more frequent feeding to up supply. It's a case of baby needing more rather than mum making less IYSWIM.

I think a mum can run into supply problems if feeding didn't get off to a great start, as the first 2 weeks are important for setting up your supply. Then as baby gets bigger and needs more, it's harder to up her supply as needed. There are things that can help this though.

If baby finishes feeding and there is no milk left! You try to hand express and nothing comes out. Then he bites you in frustration :-)

See I think this is what I find confusing as I thought there was always milk available albeit flowing slower after the initial fast flow. Sorry maybe I'm being dense or overthinking it?

The milk is made as the baby suckles so the milk can't 'run out'. A baby is a much more efficient feeder than any form of expressing so don't be concerned if you can't express any. It doesn't mean there is no milk there. It's a myth that breasts are storage systems for milk, they hardly store any at all.

Useful info

kellymom.com/bf/got-milk/supply-worries/low-supply/

Thanks that's really useful x

I've run out of milk plenty of times, it does happen and I always find it weird when people on here say it doesn't happen! I've run out during cluster feeding, also when my supply has been low due to a heavy period or decongestant. It shouldn't mean a trip to the supermarket for formula though; I've found my boobs just need a short rest, a cup of tea and a break (while baby gets cuddled by daddy) work wonders.

I'm sorry you feel that way, I've studied the biology of how BF works, the physical process, and it's not possible to run out unless you've run out of blood!

I'm glad you found a solution that worked for you though. A break and a short rest is good solution as it relaxes you and the let-down reflex is reliant upon your oxytocin levels.