Feeding help

[wingingit1987]

My son was born just over 2 weeks ago. He was admitted to NICU at birth for RDS and pneumonia for 2 weeks, and came home on Sunday. He was initially fed via an IV and then NG tube. Prior to discharge he would get expressed milk and some breastfeeds. My supply was absolutely fine until today. I’ve went from getting about 90ml per breast when expressing to suddenly getting 30ml across both breasts. I’m breastfeeding but he is looking for his usual expressed top up and I literally cannot express the amounts he needs today. I’m very stressed with it all and dunno what to do. Husband has suggested formula top ups til we see HV tomorrow. I’ve always just EBF and feel a bit overwhelmed today. Anyone have suggestions for what to do?

1st of don’t stress supply can vary a bit some days. Are you sure he’s not taking more from you now when he is nursing? Is he crying out for the top after he is done nursing?

Can you put him back on to breastfeed?
You can from switch side to side. He's maybe having a growth spurt and extra feeding will help increase your supply

Sometimes when you’re stressed it just messes with your letdown when you’re pumping. Have you tried looking at cute pictures or videos of your baby while you pump? If you have older children pictures of them as babies will work too.

Another trick is to cover over the bottles on your pump so you can’t see the bottles while your pumping (socks work well for this). Then distract yourself with a favourite relaxing tv show for 20 minutes.

Okay this happened to me. First stress can affect supply so try and relax (difficult I know).

My midwife said I wasn’t eating and drinking enough. Up your calorie consumption and drink more water significantly. You are probably overwhelmed and as new mun forgetting to eat and drink enough. This really worked for me.

Top up if you need to - it will come back if you persevere . Best of luck to you.

He does seem to be looking for the top up, drains the bottle then sleeps.

Thank you will try this

It’ll be because he’s feeding more directly from your breast. Put him constantly to the breast.

I will try this thank you

What I mean is he’s getting bigger and stronger so he’s able to take more milk directly from your breast so of course you’ve got less left to express. The answer is to feed him directly from breast as much as possible as this is a crucial time to increase your supply and tell your body to make more milk. Ideally, you’ll eventually ditch the expressed milk and switch to breast only so this could be the start of that process.

Thank you. I have been incredibly stressed the last few days so feel it’s likely this.

Thank you

Thank you

i completely understand but you are doing awesome! It is hard and stressful but your milk won’t come down as easily if you are tense.

Try eating a cake whe you go to feed. Who’s stressed when eating cake 😂?

It does get easier. Big hugs.

If you think he’s taking much more milk feeding directly but you’re worried about how much he’s getting without being able to see it on the bottle, his intake can still be measured. If he can be accurately weighed before and after a feed, you can find out how much milk he’s drunk!

Thank you

This is a great idea! Thanks