Hi, I'm not sure whether or not to be worried, even after reading the helpful FAQ - so here goes...
I've been breastfeeding DS for 7mo, no problems to begin with, he was putting on weight really rapidly although lost some between 3 and 5mo - I think because he'd got so plump and just needed to lengthen out again, certainly the HV wasn't at all worried. He's gaining again now and on solids since 5.5mo, pretty much on 3 decent meals per day - not big ones but I think about right for him at the moment.
I'd never pumped until about a month ago when I wanted to get DS onto a cup for the occasional feed. At first I was pumping about 4oz but then got up to 6oz. I pump during the first feed of the day - DS only uses one side per feed so I pump from the other at the same time. I only pump at the weekends and then DH gives a cup feed later in the day, usually the 2nd feed. I used to get 6oz in about 15-20mins, including time for dealing with DS coming off or wanting to play with the pump! Most of that is collected within the first 10mins. But this morning, after 30mins I was shocked to discover I'd only pumped 3oz
After another 30mins using both sides I finally managed to collect just under 6oz for the cup feed. But I'm worried that my supply might have dropped and that maybe DS isn't getting enough milk.
He used to feed for a good 10mins straight and then get distracted and be on and off but I'd be able to encourage him to go back on in the end to take some more. But recently I haven't been able to get him back on and sometimes he's only on for about 5mins, especially for the bedtime feed, which is closer to the previous feed. Oh yes, forgot to say, he's on 4 daytime feeds, 4+ hourly until the bedtime feed which is more like 2h+ especially if he hasn't had a catnap - plus a dreamfeed, which is more leisurely and takes 20-30mins. When he feeds from the cup, apparently he only takes about 5-7mins to almost finish it (there's always a little at the bottom that he can't get), that's a valved cup. So at first I thought maybe he had just got more efficient and he's finishing his feeds more quickly, so I stopped trying to encourage him to take more after about 10mins. He's also recently started eating more solids - again, at first I thought he was still having the same amount of milk, since I always give milk first and then solids 45-60mins after. But now I'm wondering if it's at the expense of the milk...
I know the FAQ says not to worry about taking a yield, but what do you think? Going by what I can pump from one breast, my morning supply has halved! I'm wondering about pumping from both sides (after DS has finished) and getting DS to feed from both sides for every feed when I'm at home for the next few days to try and increase my supply - do you think that would be a good idea or might that be unnecessary? We're going away for a few days in less than a week and I'll have to pump a few feeds then so I want to get this sorted before...
Any advice much appreciated, thanks!
