Author Topic: Supply Question  (Read 1252 times)

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Offline First Time Mom

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Supply Question
« on: February 13, 2006, 23:56:56 pm »
My dd is 3 months old tomorrow and for the past few days has only had one night feed and one evening feed, this has resulted in a total of 6 feeds vs. the 8 she used to have (throughout the day I feed her on the 3 hour mark, she rarely cries from hunger but does take a 20 minute feed, 10 each side). I have read sooo many posts about "supply drying up" but I haven't been concerned with this as I know that demand=supply. I never feel "full" and never pump but I know she's eating because of diapers.
My question is- I wish to bf as long as possible, should I be concerned with supply due to only 6 feeds? Should I wake her for extra or shorten to less than 3 hours in the day? She's not a big baby (11lbs) but has gained and seems happy/content. Maybe it's just me not wanting to go to 6 feeds, I'm not ready to cut down.
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Offline lilbradi

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Re: Supply Question
« Reply #1 on: February 14, 2006, 00:06:11 am »
It's funny you say this because just today, I was wondering the same about my supply!  I typically have a high milk production but it seems that it's dwindled since I started EASY.  He's an efficient little eater so the 30 minute 'E' time is more like 10-15.  He doesn't seem to be hungry any more than usual but I'm concerned that he's not getting enough during the day now.  (I used to be on a 2 hour feed schedule with him)  I guess they'll let us know if they're not happy, right?!  Has your lo had her 12 week growth spurt yet?  Maybe that will change things?


annamum

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Re: Supply Question
« Reply #2 on: February 14, 2006, 04:16:10 am »
You are right, demand = supply. But, I wouldn't wake up my baby at night, unless she was malnourished or there was some medical reason for that. Is she OK with her 3 hour routine? Mine had problems with 3 hours until she was 4.5 months old, plus she was nursing at least 2 times per night. She was mostly on 2.5 to 3 hours during the day. Also, remember that your supply is at its highest in the morning and babies tend to need to nurse more often during the pm hours so there is nothing wrong with squeezing in an additional feed if your dd would take that.

I have heard of supply issues at around 3 or sometimes 4 month mark. I think that too rigorous scheduling can lead to drying up, especially if a mom wants her baby to go by the clock and doesn't look for cues. But, if you are not letting her be hungry and she is naturally doing well on 3 hours, that is probably what she wants now. Some flexibility is OK, too. If you think she is not getting enough you can always do EAEASY. Another thing is that at around 3 moms many moms resume a more active lifestyle, do more housework and that can lead to supply problems, too. Also, feeling not full is normal after innitial first two months.
« Last Edit: February 14, 2006, 04:21:48 am by annamum »

Offline First Time Mom

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Re: Supply Question
« Reply #3 on: February 14, 2006, 13:46:40 pm »
She did it again last night- had a feed at 7, went to sleep 8:00 and did not wake for a feed (I waited up!) so I woke her at 11:30 to feed her and she took a full feed and went right back to sleep, waking at her one night feed 3am. I'm going to continue the extra feed, unfortunately can't be a df as she won't eat when she's asleep but gently waking her doesn't seem to bother her (she doesn't cry about it) and she goes right back to sleep. I'm going to continue the 7 feeds as I don't want to go under this just yet.
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Offline Samuel's mum

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Re: Supply Question
« Reply #4 on: February 14, 2006, 13:59:58 pm »
If you are keeping an eye on her cues and are prepared to be flexible as annasmum said then 6 feeds a day isn't a problem in itself. My ds didn't really 'cry from hunger' either but that is surely the intention! I tried to learn what his other hunger cues were as Tracy talks about. Obviously the more you feed the more milk you will produce so you are fine to continue your version of a dream feed if you really want to. But if you are only doing it out of concerns for your supply (which seems fine) then I would enjoy her sleeping and not wake her. Some breastfed babies are happily sleeping through at 3 months and their mums have no supply problems.
« Last Edit: February 14, 2006, 14:02:07 pm by Samuel's mum »
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Offline daisymelan

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Re: Supply Question
« Reply #5 on: February 14, 2006, 14:17:23 pm »
So what's the problem?   8)    lol

Sleeping through the night at that age is awesome.  There is no issue with 6 feeds a day from where I stand.  If you are confident your lo is getting what she needs, I can't see any issues.  I think at that age the recommended # of feeds is 6-8.  My lo thrives on only a 5 long feeds a day and has been that way for a few months now.

Do waht you feel comfortable with, but it soudns like you want someone to tell you that 6 is ok, and if that's what's working, then 6 is ok.  I also came on here when my lo was around that age asking the same question.

Just keep an eye out for the growth spurts.
Mom to O (July 20/05) and L (Dec 25/06)