4.5 month old and milk not letting down

[CheeseDreams]

It's just that really. I am exclusively breast feeding ds2. They last two days my milk won't let down during the day. Nothing at all ds is getting very upset which is in turn stressing me. I have tried drinking lots of water. Sitting in a quiet room and relaxing but nothing is working. Yesterday I ended up giving his a bottle of formula as he was so worked up. He hasn't been able to get any milk since 8am today. Any one got any advice?

Do you mean that you no longer feel the letdown sensation? It would be very unusual for there to be no milk there at all.

4.5 months is a classic time for BF babies to go through a fussy phase (Google "four month fussies LLL")

There's also a growth spurt and wonder weeks around this time so that can contribute to baby wanting to be on and off the boob like a yo-yo!

It's also the time that your milk production changes from being hormone - driven to supply and demand driven. So at this point lots of mums don't feel full anymore and the letdown sensation becomes less obvious, sometimes you can't feel it any more at all.

Keep feeding, your body knows what to do after 4.5mo.

Good luck and do contact LLL or go to a BF group if you're struggling or feeling concerned

Thank you so much for responding. Yes, I'm not getting the let down sensation and I can hear that he is not swallowing, also when he pulls off there is no milk in his mouth.

I've been very stressed and anxious the last few days do you think that could affect my supply or maybe that has nothing to do with it?

Should I just keep putting him on the breast when ever he wants even if it's hourly? (he sleeps through the night or some times wakes once)

Is there anything I can do like eat or drink specific things?

Sorry for all the questions!

I'm no expert but definitely put him to the breast as much and as often as you can/he wants to encourage your supply. If he's not feeding too much at night he might need more feeding time during the day.

Stress can contribute to a dip in supply sometimes and occasionally can hinder letdown but it wouldn't lead to milk drying up completely, especially after this length of time.

Could you take baby up to bed and have lots of skin to skin time?

There are lots of foods which help milk supply - oats, fennel tea - and you can buy specific nursing teas as well.

Have a look at the KellyMom website - there's loads of good info there.

I know it's really stressful when you think they're not eating enough! My DS went through all sorts of fussy feeding phases but they all passed and he fed until 13mo - only weaning because I was pg.

Thank you so much.

Going to snuggle up on the sofa with my dd while ds sleeps and try to stop worrying and relax a bit. You have really made me feel so much better. Thank you xx

No probs, it's not easy and especially when you have other DC to mind as well!

Hope things get easier