Low milk supply

[jan285]

Hey all.
First time mum to a 10 day old.
Breastfeeding is going ok ish. We are combi feeding as I'm not producing enough. My son could nurse for hours and still not be satisfied so at the end of each feed we top him up with formula
I have tried pumping multiple times a day but can't get anything over 20 ml. Any tips on how to improve the supply? My breast never feel full it's almost like I'm not making anything 🙈 Tia x

It's very unlikely (but not impossible) that you're not making enough milk Pumping is not an indication of supply. It's very normal for babies to be fussy at the breast, it's how they increase your supply, and by giving formula you will be reducing the amount of milk you will make as baby is not on the breast 'asking for it'. I empathise though, breastfeeding is hard work in the beginning!

Have you got any real life support? There may be groups in your local area, or there's helplines you can call for peer support. My health visitor was also an amazing help when I had my first daughter, although I appreciate not everyone gets so lucky with their HV / midwife team. Kellymom is a good website to look at too for more info.

fenugreek helps boost milk production. I used to take it whenever i felt my supply was dipping

To answer your specific question though, to increase your supply you just need to feed feed feed! Have the baby on the breast as much as possible, it's exhausting but it will get easier! (I'm still breastfeeding my eldest who is 24 months and now tandem feeding as now have a 3 week old too) also, soft breasts are happy breasts, it doesn't indicate anything about supply. Is baby gaining weight and having wet and dirty nappies? If so then you are doing great! (And congrats on the baby!)

I exclusively fed my (chubby) baby for a year and was never able to pump a drop, pumping is a skill in itself.
I'm from Ireland but there are lots of support groups like La Leche League and Friends of breastfeeding.... is there anything similar in your area? Lots of lactation consultants also work remotely now too. It's really unlikely that you have low supply, for the first 6 weeks you are establishing supply so baby often seems unsatisfied (its nature's way of establishing your supply). Hoping you get some support x

Feed, feed, feed. Speak to LLL for advice. Babies feed to build your supply for tomorrow not for the amount of milk they need today.

I have only managed to express 2oz in total. I exclusively bf from 2 months to 6 months and I’m still feeding past two years. How much you can express has nothing to do with how much milk you have.

It's all about supply and demand - when my twins were born 6 weeks early and taken straight to NICU I had to pump every 2-3 hours night and day to get the supply through and maintain it - I was horrified when the breastfeeding consulting put alarms in my phone for a week - but it did work

Are you sure he is latched on correctly as if he he constantly wanting to feed it suggests that he's not getting enough and it may be the latch?

As others have said, feeding lots is the best way to increase supply, and pumping is no indication of the level of your supply.

Also lots of skin to skin with your little one can really help. Do you have any support groups nearby that could help?

How are your baby's nappies? Lots of wet nappies is a good indication that the are feeding well. It is exhausting in the early days but hang in there, keep yourself well fed and hydrated and do as little else as possible.

The formula is filling him up, so he's not ordering more milk from you. That's why they say to breastfeed as much as the baby wants, because the baby regulates your supply of milk. The fussing and constant feeding is the baby ordering more milk, which will arrive in a day or two. It coincides with growth spurts (which they seem to have every few days) and while it can be really dispiriting when you're tied to the sofa for hours on end with a fussy baby, it's temporary, thankfully. Break out the snacks and binge watch box sets, and if anyone says anything, "the midwife says you have to rest".

Topping up with formula will make you have less milk, end of. If you want to continue breastfeeding have baby at the breast as much as possible. This will be a lot in the first 6 weeks, yes. But it will get less.

I felt exactly the same and was convinced I wasn't producing enough, and was given the same advice by our breast feeding support service locally - feed! I would stop the formula and just feed your baby as much as you can. I felt like a milk bar the first few weeks - it literally felt like all I did was feed her. Your supply will adjust to the demand. As a pp said by using the formula you're reducing demand therefore reducing supply. I assume your baby is still being weighed regularly so you will be able to keep a check on how they are doing? If they aren't find somewhere locally you can weigh him to help you monitor.

Your baby is only 10 days old, it's very early days so please relax and try not to worry about topping up. Just feed as much and as often as baby wants. Don't worry about people like my mother who tell you that it's taking too long and baby is 'just sucking for comfort', either... Why is comforting a new baby a bad thing? Sit down with a jug of water, a me snacks and the TV remote and just nurse your lovely baby. Your supply will sort itself out, I'm sure. If the pump isn't suiting you yet (again, very early days) you could try expressing a little by hand to reassure yourself - I used to practice in the bath or shower to get used to how to do it. Best of luck and congratulations on your baby

Pumping volume can also depend on the pump you use - manual / electric

My first I had the nuk which didn't really work for me

This time I've got the elvie which is much better , but I still don't pump that much in a session

You can feed him the top up with an SNS if you want to try it, that way he's stimulating your boobs to make more milk while he's getting the top up. You've got plenty of time to get things going so don't worry on that front.

It's completely normal for young babies like this to want to feed all the time! And even once they're done feeding, they'll like to be at the breast for comfort.
Pumping isn't a good indication of supply, you're best going off if baby is gaining weight and having frequent wet nappies. If both of those are happening, you have plenty of milk and are doing a great job
Milk is made on supply and demand, so the way to keep your supply up is just to let baby feed as often as they show signs they're hungry. The early days are tough, be kind to yourself!