Topping up when no let down?

[anjabibby]

Hi,

My DS2 is now 6 months and has been EBF, had a much better time this time round than with my first. However, I have this problem with my let-down (which I can feel and can see in DS gulping) being delayed or completely absent when I get stressed out. It has happened a couple of times over the past months and is incredibly distressing for me and I get really worried about it. Well, tonight it happened again - the first time ever having NO let down at the before bed feed (had had a vv stressful day with 2 sick kids and a broken down boiler).
It really stresses me out that he won't be getting enough milk - and then not sleeping.. and I am thinking should I start to top him up with formula when it happens, or will this be the beginning of the end. Just typing that makes me sad, but my husband is getting really annoyed with me when I stress so much and he has started saying that the time has come to start him taking the bottle for some feeds.

I worry that if I start topping him up that my mlk supply will go down and it will be the gradual decline of BFing. I know it has to happen at some point (going back to work in March), but still feel sad.. but I also can't cope with the stress of not having a let down and feeling he is not getting enough milk.

Sorry if I am talking rubbish in my sleep deprived state, just feeling a bit mixed up about it all.

[anna*]

I had the same thing, no let down (or sometimes just very, very delayed) leading to a very frustrated baby), and it was stressing me OUT. In the end I went back to taking Fenugreek capsules, and it worked really well. I think there was more milk available before the let down, so LO was happier to wait a while, which in turn made me more relaxed, and then the let down happened. Would you consider trying that? It worked very quickly for me, I could feel a boost in supply within 24 hours.

[lairac]

i'm here too! just started happening at the end of last week - when the LO turned 6 months. so far i've just been trying to help the letdown though truth be told she doesn't get it and then gives up. i think she's full enough and doesn't care to try anymore... maybe i'll try the fenugreek as well. did that boost supply or somehow make the letdown come faster?

these past few days i have also contemplated and been so close to trying a bottle to top it off but i think it will only cause her to think that she doesn't need to work to get the milk as well as causing a decrease in my milk supply. i have been pumping a bit more in hopes that the slightly more milk will allow a quicker let down for her.... but for some reason ,the second side just lets down much slower now.

keep me updated... hopefully this phase will pass soon.

[anjabibby]

I am so glad that this is not just me. It kind of makes me think that 'mummy is working anymore!' So far it has been 24 hours though he seems OK, he eats solids well so maybe he can cope for a bit. Will definitely try fenugreek - I think I tried that last time.  He seems to get milk before the let down, but I always think of this as not as good quality like the fore milk, versus the hind milk not sure if that is the case?
Will let you know how things progress, keep hoping for the next feed.. Definitely could tell overnight he wasn't as satisified as his normal nightfeeds are 15mins, and mostly straight back to sleep - not last night. One was over 30mins, think he was using me as a bit of a dummy though.
Is it something that happens around 6 months? I wish I had an answer, will keept you updated.