Let down reflex

[Minniethemoocher]

With DD if she cried, my milk would squirt out forcfully! With DS I don't seem to have any "let down" reflex at all, and he seems to have to suck really hard. I can't get any milk out using a hand pump and very little comes out if I hand express.

He feeds about 20-30 mins at a time, and I often offer both breast and then he will take 4oz of formula, as he still seems hungry and I seem to be empty.

I have had a rough time, C-section with an infection in the wound, still ongoing at 5 weeks post birth, on antibiotics until last week.

I didnt have a let down reflux as such which I don't think you should worry about. But I did have lots of milk (or at least it seemed to be enough to satisfy DS).

I'm afraid I dont know the answer but am bumping in the hope that someone sensible will come along ...

Congrats!

I think a lot of babies will take formula if it's offered because it's easy rather than because they're hungry. I've also read lots of times on here that what you can express is not necessarily an indication of your supply. I don't think 20-30 min is unusual for a 5 wk baby.

Good point, Anglepoise. DS only ever latched for 10mins and I used to worry about it loads. Finally some mw pointed out that he was gaining weight, happy and clearly 10 mins was all he needed - he was just very efficient!

Minnie, what makes you think DS is still hungry?

Thanks for replying!

DS will BF for say 20- 30 mins, then pull away, and then start to cry and root, sucking his hands, which he does when he is hungry, If I put him back to BF, he will suck a little and then pull away again and cry so I will offer him a bottle of 4oz which he will normally drink, then sometimes I will put him back to breast feed and he will feed again briefly and fall asleep.

He has no pattern to his feeding, can be every 1.5 hours, could be 3 hours, 4 hours.

Just can't bare the thought of my little one being hungry and worried that I don't seem to have the same let down reflex that I had with DD, when my milk would literally spurt out when she cried.

Minnie