Low milk supply at day 17 - advice?

[MamaChicken]

Baby was born by c section and although is latching well and lots of wet and dirty nappies, still isn't gaining weight. We're supplementing with formula (started today) but the problem is definitely my milk volume. I can express about 20-30ml but nowhere near enough to feed him properly. He's BF on demand and I pump in-between, as well as formula top up now. Any advice on increasing milk supply? Is it too late now we are a few weeks in?

The amount you can express doesn't necessarily indicate what your supply is- I could never express but I had loads of milk! The very best way to increase supply is to feed. Put the baby to the breast as often and for as long as you can bear. Make sure you're eating and drinking enough- it's easy to forget. And if he's healthy and happy and peeing and pooing and not actually losing weight maybe hold off supplementing a little longer unless you actively want to mix feed. (which is fine!) It's very early days..

are you getting support from the infant feeding team? I don’t want to suggest you stop supplementing if you’ve been advised it’s necessary but unfortunately it tends to be a bit if a spiral which leads to more FF and less BF. Agree with the PP that you just need to get the baby on your breast as much as possible. If they get sleepy whilst feeding change their nappy snd try again. Good luck x

Everything you feed formula you need to be pumping too unfortunately so you body doesn't think you are dropping a feed.
Can you go back to bed with your baby for a few days and just eat, drink and feed? Don't listen to a Hv who says you need to ration your babies feeds, it won't be frequent enough for either of you.

And no-it really isn't too late. It's still early days. Feed,feed and feed some more. The baby and you!!!!

There are a few things which can cause it one is a tongue tie as it reduces efficiency. Get them checked by either the infant feeding team (hv can refer) or a private practitioner. It honestly is a very quick and painless procedure if they have one. DS2 had a TT and I had low supply to start with as a result. But was able to build it and then fed til nearly 2.

Things that can help boost for some women fenugreek supplements can help it doesn't help all.
Agree pumping is not a sign of supply.
However try pumping straight after a feed (easier if you have a hands free pump) also cover the bottles with socks! Milk flows less when stressed not relaxed etc. Good boob massage before and half way through.

There is also a method called power pumping (baby would be best asleep for this one) which can boost.
Make sure your either feeding or pumping (don't need both) in "golden hour" between midnight and 3am can also help boost supply.

Agree just get baby on breast as much as possible.

I would also check the pump thoroughly, a valve a mm out of place means it won't work well.

Feeding is the best way to increase your supply, but if baby is latching well and not gaining at 2.5 weeks then there is something else going on. Is baby back at birthweight? Did your breasts grow in pregnancy, do you have risk factors for low supply, does baby have a tongue tie- so many questions need to be addressed. You need proper support and assessment!

Fenugreek supplements worked well for me. You can just get fenugreek seeds from an Indian grocery shop and swallow them with water. Plenty of advice here kellymom.com/hot-topics/low-supply/

Pumping doesn't indicate supply. I fed 3 and couldn't pump at all.
My first was slow to put on weight. Dropped from a high percentile to a low one......how ever he gained slow and steady. He is now a 6ft tall bean post. He is also half Chinese and reading about weight gain they are slower to gain weight. I always felt HV didn't take that into consideration.

The worst thing for me was getting stressed by it all and having those around me stress. If you are getting the nappies then you are feeding well. Don't feel pushed into mixed feeding. If baby is alert and happy and meeting other milestones please don't worry.

(Baby 1 I used to take to get weighed every other week and baby 3 was weighed about 3 times......do not obsess about weight if every other thing is fine. Do not compare to friends bottle fed babies either.)

Thank you so much everyone. This is really reassuring to read. I think I'm mostly doing everything that you've suggested so far on this thread so hopefully will see some improvement soon!

Fenugreek worked for me. I got capsules from Holland n Barrett and took around 3 x3 per day. Loosens your bowels but otherwise no ill effects and hugely boosted supply.

Also oats.

OP I fed premie twins who were initially on IV dextrose solution in NICU - moved to NG tube - started with dummies and formula, me expressing - wound up "training" them to bf and they each BF for almost a year before dropping off by themslves. It's totally do-able, just persevere :)