Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

Infant feeding

Get advice and support with infant feeding from other users here.

Flip

Original poster

Worried as baby now taking two breasts each feed, ? Supply reduced

16 replies

Latenighttv · 27/12/2019 15:29

Hi,

My 10 wk old baby was previously taking one breast per feed, he abruptly increased to two sides in past few days. He was prem so adjusted age is 3 weeks. I do shifts with my husband and I sleep 7-12 midnight each evening and express when I wake up so he can give that milk the next night. Though with my supply going down I can't do this. I'm really worried that he isn't getting enough. He's currently peeing and pooing regularly.

OP posts:

dementedpixie · 27/12/2019 15:30

He is feeding more to increase your supply. Sounds like a growth spurt

AppropriateAdult · 27/12/2019 15:32

Why do you think your supply is going down?

CmdrCressidaDuck · 27/12/2019 15:32

Normal and nothing to worry about. Just keep feeding.

Original poster

Latenighttv · 27/12/2019 15:33

Thanks for your response.Yeah he only just did that a few weeks ago though, seems like he is constantly fighting to get my supply up. My breasts are also now really soft whereas in the past I would feel full. After his growth spurt he was quite sleepy and didn't feed as well so I'm concerned this affected my supply.

OP posts:

vincettenoir · 27/12/2019 15:36

It could just be he is feeding a bit more efficiently than in the early days and that’s why he needs both breasts. I don’t think it sounds worrying but I would recommend calling the National Breastfeeding hotline. They are very knowledgeable and I have had helpful advice from them a few times now.

Lenny1980 · 27/12/2019 15:36

My two week old just increased to feeding on both sides each feed (if I can keep her awake long enough). My eldest definitely did that too. All normal as their little tummies expand. And my boobs definitely didn’t feel heavy and full the whole time last time, they reached a stage where they felt empty after each feed which I took as a good sign that DC was taking a decent amount.

Bridgeofpies · 27/12/2019 15:37

In theory you should offer both breast at each feed and it sounds like your baby is putting his order in for more milk to support a growth spurt. 3 weeks is absolutely prime age for this.

If he is pooing and peeing normally then I wouldn’t worry. Your supply will be gearing up to continue to support his growth!

Also, evenings are a classic time for cluster feeding at this age. You might find it’s easier to feed him and just pass to DH once he is snoozing rather than expressing (this is what I did). He would just bring the baby in for a feed and then out again but some evenings they would just want one boob then the other boob then back to the first boob and then back again for the entire evening. This is totally normal. I have 3 babies they were all ebf and all consistently gained weight doing exactly this.

So, try not to worry. I know it’s hard and it’s exhausting but it sounds like you are doing amazingly!

If you are still worried about your supply then try to get hold of an IBCLC registered lactation consultant. Many do free drop ins and they will be able to look at your baby and give you really good advice about what’s happening!

AppropriateAdult · 27/12/2019 15:40

It’s very normal for your supply to regulate and your breasts to feel less full around this time. Having breastfed two myself, this all sounds fairly typical. Keep feeding on demand and trust your body

Baguetteaboutit · 27/12/2019 15:41

My breasts are also now really soft whereas in the past I would feel full.

Well this is something you don't need to worry about. It happens to all breastfeeding Mums. So long as he is having the same number of wet and poo nappies you are meeting his needs.

Original poster

Latenighttv · 27/12/2019 15:46

Thanks so much for all your replies I'm really grateful. Thing is I previously fed my older child for a year on one side and had a much greater supply with the eldest, so I'm really not used to this. I express because then I can get a block of sleep before I stay awake from midnight until 7 holding the baby upright (he's got reflux and has choked on his milk in the past turning blue round the mouth) so if I wake up to feed him I don't think I'll be able to do the nightly stretch.

OP posts:

benandhollyagaaain · 27/12/2019 15:47

When I was feeding my first I was told that you won't run dry as long as baby is latching on properly. Even when baby empties what is in your boob, you keep producing it as they are feeding so you are technically never empty. As long as nappy output is good and baby is gainijbg weight there is nothing to worry about.

Currently feeding second baby and according to my health visitor advice has changed on offering both breasts.

stophuggingme · 27/12/2019 15:51

If you express and don’t feed a baby during the time when prolactin supplies are at their highest it will affect your milk supply you need to express and overcompensate with expressing or feeding
Not breastfeeding a reasyfed baby between midnight and 7am will affect supply unless you express at least twice during that time as a end baby would feed at least twice between midnight and 7am at such a young age

Original poster

Latenighttv · 27/12/2019 15:55

Thanks, sorry if it isn't clear I'm quite tired! I do normally stay awake with him from midnight until 7 when he breast feeds 2/3 times

OP posts:

Original poster

Latenighttv · 27/12/2019 15:58

I have to be honest his latch isn't great because in the past he's choked when feeding so he always pulls off and so the latch is quite shallow, not sure how to fix this. The feeding support worker was due to come this week but couldn't make it but short of holding on I'm not sure how what I could do to fix this!

OP posts:

benandhollyagaaain · 27/12/2019 16:12

I'm struggling with a shallow latch at the moment as well and bsby sometimes chokes at start of feed but I think that's due to a fast let down at the beginning of a feed. 4 weeks in here and trying to fix her latch. Good luck with yours! X

Bridgeofpies · 27/12/2019 16:14

Oh OP, this all sounds really tough on you! Could DH do some of the night shift holding the baby??

Please get in touch with an IBCLC lactation consultant. They really are the experts of experts on infant feeding and will be able to look at the latch. They are often free to see at a drop in!

www.lcgb.org/find-an-ibclc/

Flip