Is this going to compromise my milk supply?

[IAteRoseMaryConleyForBreakfast]

I posted this as part of another thread but I suspect I should have started a fresh one so here it is. I'm working part-time at the moment just for this couple of weeks, then F/T (9-6.30) thereafter. Expressing at work isn't feasible. I'd planned feeding DS (6.5m) in my lunch break (which I get most days), and expressing what I can before work each morning so DP (SAHD) has something to offer him if he's starving. I can get 3oz max each time I express. DS has been really ready for a feed at lunchtimes when I get in. He's not taking much by way of solids as we're doing BLW.

I'm a bit worried I might be compromising my milk supply. Basically I have issues using formula - nothing against it but I'm so bloody minded I want to avoid it having got this far. I don't mind extra night feeds - DS wakes 2 hourly most nights anyway so we're co-sleeping much of the night. But today when I've been home all morning he's been pestering me to feed really frequently and obviously after a week of going 5 hours without feeding all morning I don't feel like there's much milk going.

At his age is this sustainable? Or is the only way to find out just wait and see how his weight goes? And is this morning's cluster-feeding evidence that my milk supply has been dented by the long spells between feeds?

Just having a crisis of confidence I guess.

at 6 months your supply is established. it can cope with the long gaps.

As well as expressing in the mornings, express a couple of ounces off between feeds when you are at home and pop it in the freezer. That way you build up stock for use any time. That's what I did on a daily basis.

Yes -like Mears said, build up an extra supply, bit by bit and freeze it then there'll always be some for your DH.

I thought it was law to allow mothers breaks to express milk during the working day?

I'm allowed breaks, just it isn't practical for reasons of hygiene etc (long story!)

Sorry for brusque reply yesterday, was in a rush.

I'm a vet so breaks are irregular, dirty and I'm often out of the office. Expressing would just be a nightmare.

I was just worried because yesterday DS was so hungry and there wasn't much milk to be had - lots of sucking and not much gulping. It seems this has resulted in a wild excess so far today so I'm going to stock the freezer as suggested! Is this how it will be as time passes - by the weekend there's less milk so he has to ramp up my supply again? Mondays are going to be fun!

That is basically how it works

As he takes more solids he will need less milk but your supply will adjust to his needs.

Ooooooooooh I thought I had this sorted. I'm just working afternoons this week so I was planning to express all of this plentiful milk this morning but it seems supply is still an issue and I've so far spent a lot of the day lying down with DS desperately sucking at a meagre few drops, haven't even got as far as getting the pump out.

I feel all flat and empty and my nips are sore like back in the newborn days. I've always had so much (too much) milk, I don't understand what's gone wrong.

I'm working full days next week and I'm terrified that it's impacted my supply so much, and he doesn't seem to have got it going again as much as I thought. I couldn't bear it if this was the end of BFing.

Is there anything I can do - just let him feed as often as possible?

Kep feeding and it will sort itself out. Partyly the problem will be psychological because you are worrying about it. Same thing happened to me when DS2 was 6 months - I thought my milk supply had dried up after he had been ill. However it soon bounced back after a few days of feeding.

Just make sure he is on the breast properly if you are experiencing sore nipples. Sometimes you get lazy feeding an older baby and don't pay enough attention to the latch. You don't need to lie down for all feeds - better to be sitting comfortably with a good DVD and a bar of galaxy

Ah but the lying down is so gooood, DS actually pays attention and I get a sneaky snooze into the bargain although I take your point about the latch.

Things seem a bit better so far this week and I've managed to express nearly 100ml the last two evenings so here's hoping we're getting things settled down.

Thanks for your post

That's good. Wasn't sure if you fely you had to lie down but if it something you enjoy then carry on