Milk supply dropping 😢

[Gk87]

Hi Ladies,

This has probably been discussed before but I was wondering if there is any helpful tips out there for milk supply.

I have a 4month old who is on meds for a kidney problem so his weight came down from the 75th % to around the 9th %, HV told me to try get an express each day and give that to try get his weight back up. Most nights with a double pump id get around 6oz for the following day. He has been checked for latch/position which we have been told are spot on, he feeds every 2hrs making me 😴 and the pumps at night were always good. I havent changed anything but my milk supply seems to have come down. Any tips as id like to start building a frozen supply so can get a night off every now and then but I also need to make sure he is putting weight on?

Thank you in advance for any help 🤗💙 x

Have you had baby weighed recently? How's he getting on? Irritatingly what you express isn't a good indication of supply as you probably know, but I know it's frustrating when you've been getting a good haul overnight and then it drops.

Are you "hands on" pumping? If not, that can help- med.stanford.edu/newborns/professional-education/breastfeeding/maximizing-milk-production.html

For how to.
Check pump breast shields fit correctly (if that's an option on your machine. I use Medela pumps and it made a bit of a difference when i realised the shields were too big.)
Might valves/membranes need replaced (again, if an option).

Are you eating and drinking well? There are a variety of food and herbs that are said to be helpful for milk supply - check out sites like kellymom for these. (And be careful with herbal medicines, esp if you are taking any medication yourself) . It seems like there's no strong evidence for many of them, but I took the view that with the foodstuffs e.g. oats they wouldn't do any harm and were reasonably healthy any way. And easy to shove in one's gob one handed while feeding.
Good on you pumping and feeding every two hours- are you getting any sleep at all? I take it you're feeding through the night as well from the snoozy emoticon!

Yes he was weighed yesterday for the first time in 3 week and has come up compared to what he has been putting on as he was just putting on the HV minimum requirements so the daily top ups have been helping 🤗

I will check the guard sizes as i didn't realise that would have an effect on things. Yeah I know the expressing doesnt really reflect on what I am actually producing but i also feel that the past few days i've not felt as full as i normally would be.

Thank you for the kellymom suggestion I will also look there. I would say i drink pretty well as have at least 3 or 4ltrs of water a day and i dont drink tea or coffee but i can be bad for eating sugary things. I have just started cutting it all back out again yesterday by semi following the 8week blood sugar diet so i should be back on track in the next few weeks.

No i dont get much sleep and i'm really starting to notice it. He was Jaundice when born so the hospital had me feed him every 1 1/2 to 2hrs and he has always stayed in that routine apart from 8-12 and thats when I get the pump in before I go to bed. I also struggle to sleep during the day, even when super tired so the whole sleep while he sleeps isnt the easiest. Hoping this will change soon 🤞

Daft question- I couldn't because of velcro baby who wouldn't be put down long enough for me to do this (and feeding every 2 hours max would make it challenging anyway)- can you get a 15 min session in after a feed at all? You might not get much out but (a) every little helps, it mounts up pretty quickly and (b) might up supply a bit?

The guard thing is about making sure the right bit of the nipple/areola is stimulated I think- too small and not enough breast tissue is pulled in, too big and it is just really uncomfortable.

I know the "I'm so tired, must eat cake"! Don't drop too many calories - when my baby wasn't gaining that was one of tbe first things my hv wanted to know about.

Are you getting any RL support OP? It might be worth calling one of the BFing Helplines too. Have you got the numbers?

Megasaur5keeper I never thought about pumping after he has fed. As you say might get nothing but even a little each time will add up but yet im not taking away from him as he obvs didnt want it by the time he stopped feeding. I must try this also.

My HV has never questioned ny food intake to be honest, I would just say myself i eat not too bad but do have quite a sweet tooth and allowed myself sugar treats over the past while so I dont want to fall back into my bad habits.

JiltedJohnsJulie excuse my ignorance but what is RL support? No I havent got the numbers for helplines. My HV said that she contacted the specialist BFeeding in the main hospital for us and all she said was maybe the meds he is on may be making his weight go down but no tips or that for us. However his docs argue the meds having any effect on his weight, so it reaply depends on who you speak too.

It's perfectly normal not to feel as full in the breasts by the time your baby reaches 12-16 weeks. Your body has just learnt to make the right amount of milk. And pump volumes can be very misleading. I could barely pump a drop but successfully EBF both of mine until weaning at 6 months.
If baby is gaining weight, peeing and pooing normally and is generally content, you're doing a fine job

Have you been I'll recently? I found during and after illness by supply dropped hugely and then increased again after a couple of weeks.

I would prioritise bf over pumping as baby should always extract more than you can, thus stimulating supply.
Not a good time to cut calories or try a ‘plan’. If you’re hungry eat, don’t panic about carbs but make sure you’re eating plenty protein too. Google ‘breastfeeding cookies!’ Oats are good so flapjacks are perfect. Fenugreek can also stimulate supply (see kellymom).
Rest and drink more than you think you need too. A pint of liquid per feed.
Well done getting his weight up you’re doing a great job.

Oh and please don't even 'semi follow' the 8 week blood sugar diet. 800kcal / day is nowhere near enough to sustain BFeeding. You need at least 1500-2000 for you PLUS 500 extra for BF.

Skin to skin and loads of food/ fluids

I found attaching a haaka to the opposite I was feeding on got a lot more than pumping for my stash.

I also found the manual tt pump more successful than the electric.

But nothing built my supply like cuddles so enjoy them

Www.kellymom.com

Excellent website - all information is research based.

Helped me far more than any of the real life professionals I seemed advice from!

RL is real life so support in person

Try try La Leche League and there's a list of other BFing Support groups here.

The Helpline numbers are here.

I really would urge you to speak to someone who is trained, like a Lactation Consultant or a BFC (Breastfeeding Counsellor) on one of the Helplines or at a BFing Support group.

If your baby is on medication and
has dropped so many centiles, you really need more support than an online forum can offer

If you can't get to a BFing Support group today, I'd phone one of the Helplines or a Lactation Consultant this morning.

Have a read of How might I increase my baby's weight gain too.

Has LO ever been checked for tongue tie too? Have a read of the symptoms and see if any sound familiar

I went to a breastfeeding advisor at one point when I thought I was not having enough milk and she recommended me to take Fenugreek, as it is known to increase milk production. It is sold in Holland & Barret in capsules.

Ignore pumping/how your breasts feel - it’s no indication of supply. The most I’ve ever been able to pump is 10ml and I have a big (75th centile) baby who was ebf to 6 months and still feeding now at 9 months. Kellymom is great - do take a look.