Evening supply low?

[Rooandtwo]

My baby often fusses at the breast, though never during night feeds. Notably there is a lot more time between feeds at night for my breasts to refill.

Tonight, as an experiment we gave her a bottle of expressed milk (I express about 50ml every morning but DH only gives her about one bottle feed each week at the weekend so I can have a couple hours to myself. We are building a stock in the freezer for my return to work although it’s ages away. Usually DD takes the bottle without much enthusiasm).

Tonight she absolutely necked the 80ml we offered in the bottle, then still fussed a little at breast but calmed and fed to sleep much quicker than usual. Is this confirmation that my supple is not enough for her currently? Her weight gain seems good, she is looking very healthy, but now I’m worried.

If this could be the case I also wonder if I’m not drinking enough water. I’ve heard women can up their supply by drinking lots and I’m notoriously lazy about drinking enough. Has anyone had success increasing supply this way?

How old is baby?

first thing, what you express is no indication of supply. Baby is much better at getting milk out.

evening fussiness is very common. It’s often called the witching hour. It’s no indication of low supply or any issue. It’s just a developmental stage.

Oh sorry baby is 4.5 months.

it’s not what’s being expressed that concerns me, it’s that she took the bottle with no fussing at all, whereas feeding her at the breast is almost always a bit of a struggle in the evening. Wouldn’t the witching hour also effect bottle feeding?

Not necessarily. Bottles can be easier for them.

By this age your supply is well established and this could all just be normal development and baby being baby.

There is nothing wrong with your supply.

If you’re worried make sure you’re still eating and drinking plenty.

It's the 4 month fussies. They're becoming more aware of what's around them so tend to fuss about. Normal. Your supply is fine.

Totally normal to fuss at the breast in the evening, particularly at this age. She is gaining weight and is healthy. Your supply is fine. Don't overthink it.

I’m not sure fussing is the right term. She will latch but the cry whilst latch, wriggle and kick, fling herself unlatched arching her back and outstretching her arm..wonder why I’m nervous to feed in public, it’s like she’s presenting my boob to the world. Joking aside she behaves like being latched is causing her pain, and yet she will keep relatching herself. Is that still normal fussing?

Sounds very common with this age, particular if it’s mostly in the evening. Sometimes feeding in a darkened room with no distractions can help.

if you’re concerned give the NCT infant feeding help line a ring. It’s open now and throughout the bank holiday. Have a look for an in person group as well. Talking through with someone qualified could help put your mind at ease.

Super common at this age to latch on and off and flail themselves about. If baby is growing well, doing plenty of wet and dirty nappies, I really wouldn't worry about supply. It's actually very rare to have a genuinely low supply if you exclusively breast feed on demand.