please help - so worried my milk has dried up

[carrierchc]

hi, I am sitting here crying as I type this as I am so worried my milk has gone.

Have been breast feeding my 4 week old and till now all's gone well bar a bit of colic. She gets a feed from me at 8pm then bottle of expressed milk at 11pm then feed from me at 4am from left breast, again 1t 7am from left breast. At 10am every morning I then express 3 oz from my right breast to be given to her that night in a bottle - this is so her dad can give it to her.

Every morning when I wake up my right breast feels really full and I have no trouble expressing 3oz in about 10 minutes.

This morning when I woke up it felt empty and floppy.I've been trying for the past hour to express something and have got not even half an ounce.I don't understand, I'm so scared my milk has suddenly dried up, can anyone help?

I have no idea whether your milk will have actually dried up or not (even if your supply has dropped drastically, there's no reason that you can't get it back up!), but it doesn't sound like you have been feeding very much for such a young baby. 8pm to 4am is a long time between feeds at that age, and such a long gap won't be doing your milk supply any good AFAIK.

I would try to offer your DD the breast much more often, and from both sides at each feed. Take to bed or the sofa as much as you can and just let her suck if that is what she wants to do - that is what will encourage your milk supply to increase. lots of skin to skin contact will get the hormones going as well, which will help!

Hope that helps, and try not to panic!

It is very unlikely that your milk has suddenly dried up and expressing is no indication of how much milk you have.

How often are you feeding during the day? It does sound as though she's feeding very little at night but that's my experience of a 4 week old. Night feeds are very important in letting your body build supply and respond to your baby. And at 4 weeks unlimited access to the breast is what establishes a good supply.

How is your baby? Weeing? Pooing? Alert when awake? Gaining weight?

If you have concerns, a breastfeeding counsellor or a trained midwife/health visitor should be able to help you. But the best way to ensure a good supply, especially in these very early days and weeks is to feed often from your breasts, offer both sides at each feed, maybe even 3 or 4 sides and don't worry about expressing. Your partner can be involved in other ways for now ie nappies, cuddling, resettling, bring you snacks etc.

At 4 weeks it's bfeed bfeed bfeed where supply is concerned.

Try not to worry and get yourself upset.
I would agree with previous posts that you just need to feed a bit more in the night at this stage. I know it's exhausting but AFAIK your best, richest milk is made in the night. (I've been having to set my alarm to wake up DS to feed him!)
If extra feeds don't help then try fenugreek tablets, some MNetters have found that these have really helped to boost supply.
Good luck, I'm sure things will get better soon.

Thanks all. I phoned the national breastfeeding helpline, who said I should stop expressing and just breastfeed so that's what I plan to do.
She is gaining weight and has wet and pooey nappies. She feeds a lot during the day - from 4.30pm to 8pm it's pretty much non stop with the odd five minute rest - and sleeps well at night, it's a real effort to get her to wake up enough to take the bottle at night and again at 4am!