Possible supply issue and super long feeds

[sioba]

Hi,

I really need some advice/help with breastfeeding my 4 weeks old tomorrow son. He had low blood sugars on his second day of life so we gave him formula top ups for the first week of his life. Since then I have been trying to get breastfeeding established with some success. However once every 3 or 4 days I seem to run out of milk - he just won't settle no matter how long I feed him - he keeps crying for more only settling once I give him a formula feed. Normally I can express about 40 - 50ml in 30 - 40mins however at these times I can't express at all. Has this happened to anyone else?

Breastfeeding my son is a very lengthy business - each feed takes about an hour (including a nappy change, winding and numerous stops to wake him). He feeds very frequently so it's a 24 hour job. Any tips on shortening the feed time would be much appreciated.

Once breastfeeding is well established I plan to introduce one bottle feed a night (so that I can get some sleep). Ideally expressed breastmilk but realistically, given the amount I can express probably formula - will this cause further issues or is it relatively common?

Sorry for the super long post, I'm new to all this and really struggling. Any advice is really appreciated.

Thanks.

Congratulations on your DS.

Can't help with all your post but with regards to the long feeds, IME this is totally normal. BF is a skill that both of you need to learn and it takes awhile to get the hang of it.

My DD spent the first 8 weeks of her life super glued to my boob - or at least that is what it felt like at the time . She would often spend an hour or more at the breast and would cluster feed on an evening from about 7pm until midnight. I thought I had 'supply issues' until I found MN and realised her behaviour was completely normal.

As he gets bigger he will get more efficient at getting the milk out and feeding times will dramtically reduce. DD is 5mo and feeding is much faster. I wouldn't have said so at the time but I miss all the lovely long cuddles I used to get.

Hang on in there - it does get easier. I'm sure some more well informed MNers will be along soon to give you some more advice.

Your baby is still very young, long and frequent feeds are totally normal. These help to build up your supply, so supplementing with formula at this stage is not a good idea.

Your boobs don't just run out of milk - it is constantly produced on demand & the more you nurse, the more is made.

Expressing is not a reliable indicator of milk supply; even now at 6 months I struggle to express.

Are you having any pain at all? Is baby producing plenty of wet & dirty nappies?

At 4 wks my saviour was feeding lying down and co-sleeping.

can't offer help but can tell you i am in exactly same boat, could have written this.

how is your latch? long feeds can sometimes be bad latch.

My DS always fed for a long time - whereas my DD didn't. Some babies are like that. At least the more you feed, the more you stimulate supply, and as he gets older the gaps between feeds will lengthen.

Also 3 weeks is classic growth spurt time, so it's not surprising that he's feeding frequently and you feel short of supply at this time.

One other point to add to what others have said: don't measure your supply by expressing, especially if you are stressed. It's very early to be expressing (some people say wait until 6 weeks to let your supply establish). Expressing is often much easier when you are relaxed and when you think and feel happy about your baby, eg. some people use a photo to help. It figures that if you are worried about him and your supply, you don't get the same let-down.

Good luck, and do keep trying, you're doing well!

Hi again,

My latch is fairly good - it does sometimes hurt but I can correct it and I'm generally painfree. How frequent is too frequent - my son sometimes lasts only 30 mins between feeds?

S

My DD is 11 weeks old and always fed for over an hour until a few days ago. I thnk before she was justr taking her time between nutritive(feeding) and non-nutritive sucking(comfort). Now she is a bit stronger she tends to gulp loudly for about 20 to 30 mins which is such a relief. So hopefully your LO length of feeding will change in time

I also had simlilar problems with milk supply at the start as DD was four qweeks early and I had to express for ten days while she was in hospital as I couldn't feed her. As a result when I did start feeding her I had to express for 20 minutes after every feed to increase my milk supply. After weeks of this it worked so you could try this.

And...I think it is hopefully normal to have off days with your milk supply. I know I definitely do. Make sure you are rested, a hot bath/ shower always helps me. Drink and eat a little after every feed...I found that helped me.

A bottle of express milk is a good idea at night as I do this. I give it at midnigth and sleeps through til 7. At first I also expressed very little but as time had gone on it's improved. I need to express two time a day though. After her morning feed and about 11 at night.

Good luck...It will all fit in to place!!!

No such thing as too frequent IME. I spent days thinking 'she can't be hungry again, I've just fed her' when the poor mite was just trying to ensure my supply for the future. Sometimes should would only go 10 mins so I would class 30 mins a good day

If your getting 40-50ml each time then you should only need two goes to get a feed's worth. That sounds achievable doesn't it