Missed 13 hours of feeds, boobs now "empty", How long until milk supply picks up again?

[Minkus]

On Saturday we took my sister out for her 30th birthday, I dropped my two ds's off at mums at 2pm and was back again at 3pm (after driving 150 miles home!)

DS2 is 19 weeks old and during the time we were away,I would notmally feed him 3 maybe 4 times. Like a total dickhead I forgot to take my breast pump with me and so couldn't express, and my milk supply is really suffereing for it. I fed him as soon as I got in as he'd just woken for a feed when we got back, my boobs were inflated but not "Arnies" (like Arnold Schwarzeneggers bicep- big bulging and veiny )

It's really shocked me how much my supply has dwindled, I thought that it might be a bit down but not that they would be like sad little socks. What happens when (if he ever does) get round to going through from 7pm-7am? Will my supply drop so much that if he should happen to wake for a feed there isn't one there for him?

I know breastfeeding boobs are never truly empty, but there certainly hasn't been enough there to satisfy his hunger. On Sunday night I had to give him some formula at 9pm when he woke after trying the boob, he'd had as much as there was just like at bed time from me but I didn't think it would be enough at the time, and I was right. (Didn't feed for long, had both boobs which isn't his norm, and when I squeezed after I could not get ANY out, which isn't my norm)

And this was repeated yesterday afternoon, he fed all morning virtually (trying to get my supply up I guess) but at 3pm was inconsolable as they were empty, so more formula.

I really don't want this to be the slipperly slope that everyone talks about into permanent combined ff/bf. I've been doing lots of skin to skin, letting him feed for as long and as often as he wants- this is very frequent though so little opportunity to express in between. How long do you think it will take for my milk supply to be up to scratch again?

I feel so terrible for leaving him and not being well prepared enough to ensure my boobs were ready to go again when I got back

Minkus, this (the softening of breasts) happens anyway with established breastfeeding. The fat that gives the breasts their shape has now been replaced by milk making and storing tissue, and the over-supply that can be a characterstic of the early weeks has settled down. It is possible that missing 3-4 feeds at this stage might impact on your supply a bit, and for a short while only, and I am actually quite suprised you felt the impact of the break was still there yesterday afternoon.

Whatever.....continue doing what you are doing, avoid formula, and feed whenever you can. I dont think there is any need to express.

Your milk has not gone, believe me

how much formula are you giving him and how long have you been doing it for? if it is a lot then you might need to speak to a bfc to work out how to cut down.

if not too much then hopefully it is just your supply settling down, less engorgement and you can just stop giving ff and carry out with skin-to-skin etc in case it is a growth spurt.

oh xpost tiktok

I'm sure that with the approach you're taking it will only be a couple of days more. You sound like you know the pitfalls to avoid, and you could check out kelly mom for info on milk stimulants and galactagogues.

And if you get caught short again you could always try expressing by hand over a sink - i've had to do this on more than one occasion!

I don't even think a bfc needed. Just feed more.The more you feed, the more you make.Giving formula will only ever make things more difficult.

Thank you ladies, you've reassured me a bit as I was starting to panic. Do you think there could be a bit of a growth spurt going on too? DH suggested this but I couldn't remember if they have one about now.

tiktok my boobs are normally soft but "buncy" if that makes sense. however yesterday and today they have been so flaccid and flat that I'm sure I could put them in an envelop and post them

Last two nights we have naked co-slept for more skin to skin, I now have an additional problem in that the little darling won't sleep without a nipple in his mouth. But that's another thread!

Ooops! They are bouncy. Not buncy, certainly not like buns.

Re: not giving the formula, I was at an absolute loss because he was screaming and terribly upset. If that should ever happen again, (god forbid) what would the right thing to do be?

Hope things are improving Minkus; have faith in your boobs; keep feeding and your supply will soon be back to full speed.
The week Poppy was 20 weeks she was feeding hourly so a growth spurt is def possible.

I think an occassional bottle of formula in extreme circumstances will do no long term harm, but regular "top ups" tend to undermine bf and that is the slippery slope.

Aha - just seen something I missed the significance of on first reading....the baby was not with you when away, yes? Is this not (at least part of??) the reason he is a bit sad and tearful and wants to feed, feed, feed? 'Cos he missed you and now you're back he's gonna hang on to you?!

It might be a growth spurt, as babies can have them at any age (there is no good evidence they happen at certain ages) but never discount the behavioural and emotional either

Are yuo absolutely sure screaming was to do with no milk?
In my experience babies are like this anyway after being left for a while.

Exactly as Tiktok says.

You are a living breathing person, not a vending machine.He wants you as much as the milk.

I hadn't thought of it like that, I feel even worse now

Minkus - he will get over it! This is part of being a mum - to soothe, comfort and reassure, and this is what you are doing.

Oh don't be daft.
No harm done!!

You can't dry up in 13 hours. It is absolutely impossible. Next time you forget your pump, why don't you hand express?

I would have thought it might be separation anxiety more than loss of milk. If he's not feeding from you, make sure you express otherwise you will dry up! He'll come round. Give him lots of skin-to-skin Mummy cuddles and keep him calm and secure. It'll be fine I'm sure.