Dip in breast milk

7 replies

missrubi · 26/10/2023 13:22

My son is 4 and a half weeks old and we have had a bumpy start to breast feeding. I had a cold about a week and half ago and my little one developed a stuffy nose from this week so we have we exclusively pumping. When pumping each side for 20 minutes I get 30ml max. Previously when I was pumping when my son was week two I was getting 80 ml. I decided to exclusively breastfeed after this and did not realise until this week my supply was so low. Any advise on increasing my supply... at the moment finding it difficult finding the time to pump.

OP posts:

SiouxsieSiouxStiletto · 27/10/2023 08:40

Hi @missrubi I'm sorry but I haven't got much time to respond at the moment but please do call one of the BFing Helplines this morning. A BFC will be able to offer you some support

Labradoodlie · 27/10/2023 08:58

Can you go back to BFing rather than pumping? There’s no reason a cold should stop direct feeding, and your baby will get far more out than a pump.

Singleandproud · 27/10/2023 09:03

It doesn't mean your supply is low just that you are not getting alot from pumping as baby's are far more efficient

if you think that you do have a supply problem then go back to directly breastfeeding and lots of skin to skin. Know that the volume of milk you produce can vary massively throughout your BF journey depending on your babies needs, if they aren't getting enough or will need more to they will feed frequently to put their order in for a couple of days time.

SiouxsieSiouxStiletto · 28/10/2023 11:56

How are you today @missrubi?

Liveafr · 28/10/2023 17:12

Hello, if you have been sick, it's not surprising your milk supply has temporarly dipped. Try the following:

Make sure you use a hospital grade pump with proper size flanges
Breast compressions while you pump
Power pumping: Pump for 20 minutes, 10 minutes rest, pump 10 minutes again, 10 minutes rest and then 10 minutes of pumping again

Here are interseting articles to read: https://exclusivepumping.com/increasing-milk-supply/ https://exclusivepumping.com/power-pumping/

Not Enough Milk? How to Increase Milk Supply When You're Pumping

Not pumping enough breast milk? Here are the tried and true methods for increase milk supply when you're pumping for your baby.

https://exclusivepumping.com/increasing-milk-supply

Redebs · 28/10/2023 17:42

Babies are the best breast-emptiers, even with snuffly noses. The hormones that your body produces when your baby is at the breast are important too.
I would get baby's nose cleared with an aspirator, then settle down together to breastfeed directly. Check the latch is right, because bottles can teach babies the wrong mouth actions.
Remember to lookafter yourself too, to get supply up. Plenty of fluids and decent meals.

JIGNAJAY · 28/10/2023 18:19

Decongestants can also reduce milk supply.

Flip