Milk supply decreased

10 replies

Glowz · 15/09/2023 19:24

I've been feeding my 2 week old since she was born, she's not had formula as my husband wanted to involved with feeding and so did my 3yo so I expressed around once or twice a day getting between 60-100ml across both breasts. 2 days ago I could feel what I thought was the dreaded mastitis (rock hard boobs and flu like symptoms) which I had first time round and led to me quitting so I fed baby every hour, steaming hot baths and hand expressed in the bath which helped the blockages and now feel fine. I'm noticing though I'm not leaking as much and I can't hand ezpress as much out of my left boob. She has always only fed for between 5-15 minutes, sometimes just on one, sometimes she has both. I'm really panicking that I'm drying up as I don't want to not be able to feed her. How can I increase my supply??

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YouHoooo · 15/09/2023 19:30

Your supply is probably fine - it’s normal for it to settle after the first couple of weeks when it starts to match your baby’s needs.

Is the little one gaining weight and having lots of wet and dirty nappies? If so, you’re probably all good!

Original poster

Glowz · 15/09/2023 19:35

Thanks YouHoooo, I think I'm just getting paranoid as I had to stop after a week with my first. She's having plenty of wet and dirty nappies, to the point that she's actually leaking after an hour or two of a clean nappy and she was last weighed 2 days ago and she's putting on more than average so I'm probably over thinking. I just really don't want to have to give up

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Rpolo · 15/09/2023 19:36

Try a haaka. I found using it at night to catch the let down from the opposite boob, really increased my supply. And it helped me collect enough for a feed without pumping. Xx

wishuponastar1988 · 15/09/2023 19:39

Aslong as baby is having plenty of wet and dirty nappies and putting on weight it’s fine. Supply starts to regulate after abit. For context, I never leaked (ever) and my boobs never felt full but successfully breastfed for over 9 months. Keep hydrated and offering baby a feed and all will be ok x

pinksquash13 · 15/09/2023 19:39

From what I know as a non medical person, the best way to increase and maintain supply is to feed the on demand. If they cry...boob. Don't try to space feeds and don't avoid feeding at night. Skin to skin when you can. You're probably fine. It all gets so much easier every month that passes.

Original poster

Glowz · 15/09/2023 19:47

I'm probably just getting worked up. I don't want to be 'that' person but I've found it a joy and quite and enjoyable experience this time round. A painful day 3/4 but persevered. I feed her whenever she wants no matter what time day or night although she does sleep for longer at night and she is very chilled. She will occasionally have a bottle of expressed if I'm in the bath having 20 minutes and husband decides to feed her but always pump if I've missed a feed which has only been a couple of times. Also pump once at night since she has a good stretch of sleep

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ToddlerMumma · 15/09/2023 19:53

If I was ever in doubt in the early days, I'd strip baby down to nappy and put her down my top! Nothing like skin to skin to increase supply. I'd sit on the sofa, watch game of thrones box set with her lying on my chest. Good luck, the early days are so amazing yet so hard x

stonedaisy · 15/09/2023 20:02

Your supply will be fine x
Keep offering the boob, maybe do a bit of expressing if you feel like it. What ever you feed today you will have at least that if not more tomorrow - and so on x
You're doing great x

OverTheCountryClub · 15/09/2023 20:03

Pumping means nothing. I've ebf 3 babies - 3 very chunky, quick-to-gain weight babies - and have never expressed. Tried a couple of times with my first and couldn't get a drop out! The only measure of supply is nappy output and baby weight gain. Don't worry about expressing unless you particularly want to. Dad and sibling can bond with baby in lots of different ways - playing, cuddling, changing, bath time, rocking to sleep - absolutely no need for anyone but mum to feed if pumping is stressing you out.

Original poster

Glowz · 15/09/2023 20:29

Pumping isn't stressing me out. I like doing it as it reassures me something is coming out. And it helps build up a supply. Currently sat watching TV with a bru with both my babies, skin on skin with my newest and stroking the head of my oldest reading him a story. Feeling very lucky and blessed to only have to worry about my milk supply right now. Thanks all for comments! Feeling a bit better about it all now x

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