2.5 week old... breasts soft..normal?

[Beara]

A quick question re whats 'nnormal...if there is such a thing.  My DD is 3 weeks tomorrow.  She feeds well (8 to 11 feeds per day) and gaining weight . She varies between single side feeding and feeding on both sides.  My question is the last 2 days my breasts are generally soft between feeds. Any thing I've read says that read says that engorgement usually lasts for 6 weeks and when I breastfed my son 3 years ago I remember it  lasting for aa couple of months. Is it a sign breastfeeding is going well or a sign of a growth spurt or if my supply is low? She has fed a bit more often on the past few days. 
I'd appreciate if any one could help me out with this. eThanks be :)ara.
 

[MasynSpencerElliotte]

This time around I only really had engorgement and hardness if she slept longer than my body was expecting or it was right before a feed was due...they were big for sure but def soft.  Can't quite remember if it was the same with DD's 1 & 2 though! Is she generally content after a feed and having lots of wet diapers? If so I wouldnt be too concerned.

[*Ali*]

Sounds like a growth sorry if she is feeding more often.  They probably just need to catch up.  Don't worry, there is always milk there.  It is made while you feed if it is not already waiting in the breast. And the emptier your breasts the higher fast the milk.

[Bryony's mum]

I seem to remember that I noticed much less engorgement with my second and subsequent babies.  With my first, I was always leaking, getting engorged, and spraying milk everywhere if LO latched off, but by the second, my body seemed more efficient!

[Beara]

Thanks for the replies.  Yes she is content between feeds  (though it can take time to settle her in her cot if she's awake. . She's  fine in my arms... But that's a different issue). she has plenty of wet and dirty nappies.  Feeding every three hours again tonight. Hope she settles. I'm reassured about the softened breasts though.  Thanks, beara.

[dache]

My baby is 6.5 weeks old.
In the past few days I have noticed that my breast are soft and not heavy like in the past few weeks.
She is also feeding more often at night, sometimes she`ll wake every 1,5h sometimes 3h.
I started giving her bottle since I think I dont have enough milk.
She also have reflux and vomits up to 10 times a day so I cant say if she is hungry because she vomits or because I dont have enough milk.
Is it normal for the breast to be soft at this time still have enough milk?

[*Ali*]

Sounds like she may be having a growth spurt and is just emptying them out well. The more you feed the more milk your breasts make. Your supply is still being established so I really wouldn't even think about not having enough milk at this stage.

Obviously it is up to you and some people choose to mix feed but every bottle of formula you give will decrease your supply because your body is getting the message that that is 4ozs (or whatever LO takes) that it is not required to produce.

Have you tried pumping at all?

[dache]

Yes, I had times when I would pump up to 90ml (3-4oz) but now I pump 2 at night.
I want to pump after every feed but its not possible because I have to hold her in my arms so that she does not vomits.
I do not want to give her the bottle at all. I LOVE breastfeeding (and the connivance of it  ) but I just think there might not be enough.
Maybe it was stress (we were in the hospital for 3 weeks because of the vomiting) and she was not eating well, like 5-10min and she was done...
I think Ill try to give her only breast this few days and see how it goes. 

[Beara]

My baby is now 6.5 weeks old and I am experiencing the same thing.  It is  likely to be a growth spurt and all the advice from health nurses and websites such as Kellymom.com is to keep breast feeding and the supply will settle in a few days. It's a common  misconception that mums have at this stage that they are 'losing their milk' bit that is not the case.  My DD is feeding every 2 hours during the day and waking earlier in the night where she had been sleeping 6 hours.  Hang in there.  Hopefully you are getting smiles of thanks to make up for it . 

[dache]

Wish I knew that about breast changing at this time, Id never given her the bottle.
I kept offering her the breast, and never gave her bottle at night. I am drinking two different types of tea that is said to increase the milk supply and I drink boza.
Today I feel my breast fuller and she eats longer.
So yay. My advice for anyone with the same issue, persistence

[*Ali*]

Glad things are improving for you