Milk supply not equal to demand......

4 replies

PicadillyCircus · 27/07/2004 18:21

DS is 8 months old and bf. He also enjoys his 3 meals a day. Recently, he's been cutting back on his milk; having it first thing in the morning, once during the day and at bedtime.

Today all was usual (except he didn't have a lunchtime ish nap and so was awake from 10:30 until 4) until he woke up at 5pm and was not happy. He had been bf before having that nap, but he needed more milk! I got a carton of formula and he drank the whole 9oz! (NB this baby used to see bottles as the original form of baby torture.)

Help! How do I increase my supply to meet his demand? Not convinced I'll have enough for his bedtime milk although seeing as he has recently had 9 oz maybe he'll be OK without so much.

Should I express to try and build up supply? Or is it maybe a one off? He is definitely teething - there is a little bit of the first tooth poking through.

Sorry for garbled message

OP posts:

bundle · 27/07/2004 18:53

if he's had 9oz at 5pm, when does he have his tea? or isn't he hungry after that? have you tried just breastfeeding, without the formula milk? (I believe that feeding is the only way to stimulate supply)

Papillon · 27/07/2004 19:03

it sounds like this was an out of the ordinary day today and if he was awake and active he may have gotten thirsty - hence needing more to drink/fluids ??

mears · 27/07/2004 19:34

PicadillyCircus - the very fact you have fed until 8 months is a sure sign you have enough milk Just because he drank the formula doesn't mean he actually needs it. If you think he needs more milk just let him breastfeed more often. You do not need to be rigid about when he has a breastfeed. I certainly would not start giving formula at this late stage. Be reassured that you do have enough milk honestly.

Original poster

PicadillyCircus · 27/07/2004 19:58

Thanks for the replies - I do know that I have enough milk really - just at the instant that DS wanted it I'm not sure there was quite enough for him.

He usually has supper around 5:30pm - today it was about 6:30 and ate that fine. Now he is in bed and will hopefully be happy.

I think today just was a bit different and he was a bit thirstier (although didn't want any water at the critical moment).

I think also that as he's teething, I'm looking for problems which might not be there IYKWIM.

OP posts:

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