Pregnancy Info HOME

As long as you keep nursing (or pumping) as needed/on demand, you will make enough milk to satisfy him. BF'ing is a supply & demand process. Supplementing is USUALLY (not always, but most of the time) the beginning of the end for BF'ing moms. Once you start supplementing, thats one less feeding not coming from you, and that signals your boobies to produce less... when this process is repeated you make less and less and in turn need to supplement more and more.. and before you know it you're 100% on formula. You just need to trust your body to do what it is designed to do. If you are concerned about your supply, try pumping a little between feedings to get it built up a little more each day. You could also talk to your doctor about things you can do or take to increase your supply. Iknow there are some herbal supplements you can take for that, but I don't have any personal experience with it. Chances are though you are making plenty milk. It is totally normal for breastfed babies to want to go on a feeding frenzy around 2-3 weeks old, because tehre is a growth spurt coming up, and they are "programmed" to feed frequently to increase your supply in anticipation of it. My little girl was eating every 3-4 hours but the last 2-3 days she has started eating with just 30 minute intervals sometimes, especially in the evenings (between 6pm - Midnight) I feel tethered to her at times, lol, but it is totally normal and it will pass. I know I don't have any supply issues, as I do pump my extra milk (what she leaves behind after feedings, and at some set times each day during her low hunger times) and get between 3-4 oz from each side so 6-8 oz total.. even AFTER a feed... so I am definitely making plenty and my girl wants to eat all the time too. It seems like she is starving at times, lol, but she is just preparing for that growth spurt. She has plenty of wet and dirty diapers in a day, and is gaining weight, and not getting any supplements. Anyway \sorry for the wall of text there... Just keep at it, and be patient, and trust in your body to feed your baby. You can do it. We are meant to, and your baby is just doing what he is supposed to do at this age. =) GL & KUP!

Don't supplement!! It creates a vicious cycle. Every ounce of formula you give your baby is an ounce less your breasts will produce. Just keep nursing as often as baby wants and I promise it will even out. The more you feed and the more the baby sucks the more your body will make. You can try taking fenugreek and blessed thistle supplements to help increase your milk supply, make sure you rest plenty, eat good, and drink lots and lots of fluids. It will get better! It took about 6 weeks for things to even out with my daughter but it does and when you are on the other side of this you will be so glad you stuck it out.

i just wanted to take the time to say thank you, thank you, thank you to whisper and sarah21! i did not supplement last night and just toughed it out and nursed him as often as he wanted to yesterday and last night and i must say that my milk has definitely been keeping up with his demand. i feel really good about toughing it out and sticking to the bf'ing only. this is my fourth and last baby and i am determined not to give up on bf'ing this time! so thank you!!! :-)