Milk supply seems to be dwindling, very little milk coming out when pumping, terrified of supplementing with formula

[womanofthesun]

Hello, everyone

Really anxious first time mum!

I have a 10-week-old baby that became a very fussy feeder (thrashing around, pulling away, refusing to latch at times, generally seeming dissatisfied) two days ago and has been feeding a lot less than usual ever since (and producing fewer than usual wet nappies, too - very concerning). On the same day, my breasts also stopped feeling full and firm, and have been very soft and feeling quite "empty" ever since. I know that this can be due to my supply finally regulating to my baby's needs, but my baby being so fussy makes me think it's a problem with supply. It's all very strange as, before two days ago, I thought I actually had oversupply (as well as an overactive letdown and forceful flow). How can I wake up one day to the opposite problem? I can't tell whether my baby's sleepiness and fussiness on the breast (and decreased number of feeds due to breast refusal and sleepiness) led to my supply dwindling, or if it's the fact that my supply dwindled that my baby has been sleepy (or maybe due to the heat?), fussy and refusing the breast. If it's the latter, I can't imagine why my supply would have dwindled and suddenly not be enough for my baby!

If it is a case of supply, how can I increase it? When I pump, I can barely produce an ounce of milk (I know that this can be normal for breasts that are used to exclusively breastfeeding). Does increasing supply by pumping rely on the actual draining of breast milk, or does the stimulation of the nipple alone tell the breast to produce more milk?

I've tried to feed him milk that I expressed and froze during a while back (I was engorged so able to produce a lot), but he really doesn't really take a bottle...

I'm terrified at the thought of my breastfeeding journey ending, as well as having to supplement with formula (or even give him formula full-time if pumping continues to produce so little milk). I don't have anything against formula (I'm not just snobbishly against it, like some), but I'm vegan and had planned to raise my son vegan too (in fact, my whole lifestyle is centred around plant-based living - it's something I've dedicated a lot of time and effort to, and grown passionate about). There doesn't seem to be a single brand of formula milk on the UK market that's vegan, and that can be given to a baby as young as mine (I've only ever come across vegan 'follow-on' formula milk). The thought of giving him regular formula goes against my whole lifestyle, morals and plans for him 🤧 ... In addition, milk banks seem to only be available for babies with health issues, such as premature babies (maybe I'm wrong and need to do some more research?), and I imagine it'd be quite a pricy commitment - it's just not financially realistic for me.

As you can see, my head is all over the place and I'm really deep in my thoughts about this.

What's also strange is that at around 6 weeks he went from having a bowel movement during/after every feed to having one every few days (which I read was completely normal from 6 weeks onwards). Ever since this whole fussy feeding/suspected dwindling supply issue began two days ago, he's been back to having a bowel movement during/after every feed - I wonder if that's somehow related?

I'd just like to repeat that I don't look down upon any mother who chooses to, or has to, either supplement with formula or use formula full-time. I respect every mother's choice, and I understand that sometimes a mother will have no choice (breastfeeding is f**king hard!). My feelings towards giving my baby formula are based completely on my vegan diet and plant-based lifestyle, not any belief that formula milk is superior or wrong.

I'd really appreciate any thoughts/advice!

I'm really, really struggling 🤧

Is your diet giving you everything you need to produce sufficient milk?

TheGolden, I've never had problems with deficiency (other than low iron during pregnancy, which I was told a lot of women have problems with - vegan or not), and I know lots of vegan women who breastfeed successfully! I make an effort to eat a very balanced diet made up of whole, nutritious foods and healthy fats (nuts, seeds, avocados etc).

I meant 'inferior' in my original post*

You need to see a breastfeeding counsellor or lactation consultant, preferably the later. See what drop-ins there are near you or call one of the helplines.

I suggest you ask the LC or BC to do a full tongue tie assessment (assuming baby hasn’t already been assessed - and a midwife or hv doesn’t count) and for them to observe a feed.

Could be various issues but your supply is unlikely to be the main one.

Have you read “the womanly art of breastfeeding”? Apparently it’s only £1 on Kindle atm

FTR, pumping yield is not a true indication of supply. A baby who drains the breast effectively is much more efficient at getting milk and stimulating the breasts to produce more.

It depends on the woman and the pump you use as to how much milk you get. But no/little milk from expressing does not mean you have insufficient supply.

If you want to breastfeed, you have to breastfeed, and if it’s not working, you need specialist support.

“There doesn't seem to be a single brand of formula milk on the UK market that's vegan, and that can be given to a baby as young as mine (I've only ever come across vegan 'follow-on' formula milk).”

I believe there is a formula called Wysoy, don’t know much about it but maybe google it.

Oh and ignore anyone who tells you a vegan diet is insufficient, plenty of breastfeeding mothers whose babies have allergies manage with restricted diets!

When baby becomes a fussy toddler you may find it harder to get a varied nutritious diet into them, but cross that bridge when you come to it!

So he fed well and normally at the breast until a couple of days ago?

You could get the health visitor or GP to give him the once over but I'm inclined to think it's more related to weather or a development leap. The best way to ensure your supply is increased is to feed feed and feed. If you think your baby is struggling to latch for some reason, then seek assistance at a breastfeeding support group or with a lactation consultant.

A 10 week old baby that is feeding less than usual, producing fewer wet nappies and is more sleepy sounds like a dehydrated baby. I would urge you to focus on that right now and think about getting medical advice in the short term, there may be mild illness that is causing your baby to become fussy temporarily.

Lots of the things you describe (fussiness, the amount you can pump, softer breasts, 10 week old baby not having a bowel movement every day) are NOT indicators of poor supply. Weight gain and wet nappies can be indicators, have you had baby weighed recently?

I second the advice to see a lactation consultant if you can, I found the help I got from one invaluable in the early days. You can sometimes find lactation consultants running breastfeeding support groups if the cost of 1:1 support is prohibitive. The book The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding is also brilliant, really helped me with understanding how breastfeeding actually works.

Hi! I also have a 10 week old and he’s the same, also my boobs are the same.
I contacted a lovely breastfeeding specialist that helped me in hospital and she came over to talk and see what’s going on... it turns out he was getting enough, but had become more efficient at feeding and so fed less.. he also fussed because he had enough (for now, whatever that meant, he sometimes changes his mind). My breasts feel far less full and she said it’s completely normal too.
On my right side my breast leaks constantly and has a really forceful letdown so I can see it has milk despite feeling empty (although I should note today it hasn’t leaked because he’s been on it a few times, I assume that’s why at least) whereas the left breast (which feels exactly the same) I thought for a long time there was a supply issue in because I CAN NOT pump from it. That breast has absolutely none of it and as time has gone on it’s become more and more reluctant to be pumped from. It never leaks either, but then he decided he would only feed from that breast for a few days and he did absolutely fine and he’s still gaining weight.

He’s also sleepier than usual lately but I’m pretty sure it’s something to do with the heat.

If you want to increase it try brewers yeast cookies (I make vegan versions) aka “lactation cookies”, mothers milk tea is lovely tasting herbal tea. I stopped having oatmeal for breakfast awhile back because it made me pee milk everywhere

Hey everyone! Sorry for disappearing and thanks for all your responses - none of which gave five unnoticed.

I saw a lactation consultant in the end and she confirmed that DS has tongue tie (as well as possible lip tie). I was mislead into thinking that DS doesn't have TT, which I was told by both a midwife and health visitor (none of whom are trained to actually assess/diagnose TT - which I didn't know at the time). I got engorged a few days after making this thread and realised that DA feeds much better when my breast are full - much more content and I don't have to fight him to stay on the breast. LC said that due to the TT, DS has to work much harder to get milk out now that my milk is regulated and breasts are less full. It also seems that he doesn't latch as well when my breasts are soft, almost as if he got used to the shape of my nipples when my breasts are full.

What's odd, though, is that his tongue can actually touch the roof of his mouth (will attach picture), which I assume isn't typical with TT? Everything else the LC said makes complete sense, though. I suppose she knows best, so I'm going to trust her very informed judgement.

I'd like DS to have to have the TT division procedure done but the NHS seems to have cut funding for it so I'm going to have to go private.

I really hope the division helps to resolve these issues!

Well done for getting this far with a tongue tie. I'm sure the lactation consultant explained that it's not so much about appearance as function and they can be difficult to diagnose.

My son had a tie which was cut by the NHS at 5 weeks and it made a huge difference. It wasn't instant and took about 4 weeks to return to exclusive breastfeeding.I f you can afford it, I'd go private as you'll be seen much quicker and get follow up care. There is a facebook group called something like Infant tongue tie uk and they can provide some really useful advice.