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Increasing Breast Milk supply 5 months post partum

5 replies

IssyKuhle · 28/01/2024 17:20

Hello all. I am worried my milk supply has dramatically decreased!!

I have been breast feeding for 5 months now.
In the beginning I had an over supply of milk. I pumped for the 1st 3 months and have a freezer full of breast milk (4 drawers full). My baby was gaining weight very well. At 3 months I stopped pumping and my baby also started sleeping through the night.

Not long ago I went away and left my baby for 2 nights with my mum. I planned to pump, but then realized my breast pump was broken and I went 50 hours without breast feeding!!

My baby was recently weighed and he has only gained 50 grams in 7 weeks ( it is worth nothing he has down syndrome and a slower growth is expected). My paediatrician suggested starting weaning. Which we did. He had another weigh in and still gained no weight.
Ive tried pumping again after getting my breast pump fixed, but I am lucky to pump 20ml for both breasts. They just seem try ! I'm breast feeding often and pumping despite no milk coming out.
Do you think it's my milk supply and can I increase it?? If so, how ???

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Mumoftwo1312 · 28/01/2024 17:23

Stop expressing except when you're apart from your baby, just put him onto the breast constantly.

Switch feed, ie just a couple of minutes on each breast then keep switching over and over.

Your supply should increase back to normal within a week or two if you do those things, unless you are malnourished or anemic etc.

Mumoftwo1312 · 28/01/2024 17:24

Ps in the meantime I'd supplement with formula until your supply goes back up, so your baby doesn't go hungry. But keep latching on 24-7, whenever you can

Mumoftwo1312 · 28/01/2024 17:26

Sorry one last thought- don't leave your baby overnight any more until your supply has re-established. I know it sucks but that's the price of breastfeeding in the early months

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RedRobyn2021 · 28/01/2024 17:33

Feed him more, supply and demand

Maybe wake him once to feed him in the night or try to dream feed, prolactin is highest at night

OwlBasket · 28/01/2024 17:40

Yes, feed feed feed. Switch feeding is a good tip. Also feeding before solids, milk has more calories. IIRC prolactin peaks at about 3am (but I might be wrong, DC are teenagers already) so well worth doing a dream feed as late / early as you can manage

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