Low milk supply

[MGardner]

First off, my LO is 8 weeks old. I think I have a low milk supply. My breast do not seem full at all anymore before/during a feed and my LO gets real fussy at the breast after 5 minutes, I know he is still hungry because he starts eating his hand when I pull him off. He pulls my nipple off like he is trying to get more milk. When i pump I get only about 2oz from each breast - shouldn't I be getting more? This is when I pump when I should be BF (when dad give him an expressed bottle). When i pump in between feedings i'm lucky if I get 1 oz with both breasts combined. Should I just pump more? What is the optimal time to pump? Right after a feed I need to be with my LO for activity time, once my LO goes down I feel that it's too soon until the next feed to pump? What do others do?? Does it sound like low supply???

[RachelC]

My breasts rarely 'feel' full as well.  Every person is different and your body may have figured out what your lo's needs are.  Your lo may be going through a growth spurt and emptying your breasts and still not being happy.  I know the feeling!  I have been there through each growth spurt.  What you can do is feed him on demand for a couple days (shouldn't last longer than a week) and pump an hour after the feed (I know, easier said than done).  Then, if he is not satisfied after the feed, offer him the milk you just expressed.  It can be a (very) bumpy ride, but hang in there... and keep yourself hydrated! 

Here is another thread with some pumping tips:

https://babywhispererforums.com/index.php?topic=62404.0

HTH

[lisi's mum]

When i pump I get only about 2oz from each breast - shouldn't I be getting more?

this is about what I got. I asked a LC about it who thought it was actually a lot, lots of people get very little pumping even though the supply is fine. Rachel's tips will for sure help if you think you really have a supply issue, I was also helped by taking fenugreek and blessed thistle capsules 3, 3 times a day (think this was Rachel's tip too...)

[NikiJ]

Hi

I really feel for you coz I went through the same thing.  I actually stopped bf @ 8.5 wks & completely regret it.   I was so convinced Madi wasn't getting enough (even though she was sleeping through the night).  Like you I never felt full & I never felt a let down either.

Stick wit it!!!!! You're getting quite alot wen you express.  Like PaigeJalyn said express 1 hr after every feed.  This will increase your supply even if you're only getting half an ounce.

But most importantly....trust your body!!!!!!!!!!!  If you're worrying about this and convinced you have no milk, that's what will happen.

[Petunia]

Information for you to read.  Maybe they will help.

Article about low milk supply:
http://www.kellymom.com/bf/supply/low-supply.html

Article about baby being fussy at breast
http://www.kellymom.com/bf/concerns/baby/fussy-while-nursing.html

[MGardner]

thanks so much for this information!!!

[MPalmer]

Hi again~

I just posted a reply on your other post on baby not drinking EBM...

I think 2 oz from ea. breast is pretty good for an 8 wk old...considering Tracey says your baby probably gets a whole other ounce out of you that you can't get with a pump.  Also, you said that you're pumping while your husband is giving the bottle (that's what I do too) so I'm assuming it's late in the day right???   If that's the case, your milk supply could be low just because it's late in the day, which is really common.  Try pumping right after the first morning feed too, since you tend to make the most milk at night and there still might be some left in there.

So, I say YOU'RE DOING GREAT!!!!!!!  and stick with it.  Your baby could be going thru a growth spurt as well right now, which could explain the fussiness.   My LO went thru a stage, when he was that old, where he just thrashed around at the breast.  My LC said to put him to the breast earlier than scheduled to avoid him getting too excited.  It sure helped...and I also made a better effort to make sure any burps came out.

So just hang in there and don't stress too hard about the "why's."  If your baby is gaining weight and peeing and pooping, then have faith that your magic milk factory will produce what your baby needs.  If it is a growth spurt, your body will catch up and make more with all the additional suckling.    As your baby gets older, your body is going to figure out exactly how much to make, so most likely you're not going to feel really full like you were in the beginning when your body makes A LOT!   You're doing an awesome job!!!