~Breastfeeding Support Thread~ 502-1000

[Nell4Him]

My supply has been going down it seems the past few days, esp at night. He just can't seem to get enough off one side. He'll nurse for about 5 minutes and then it seems like I'm out.

I've been trying to increase my water, decrease my caffeine (even though I lowered that a bit ago) and eating oatmeal. During the day I can definitely go both sides, but at night he gets frustrated and it seems that I just keep switching sides back and forth forever before he gets full and falls asleep. What is the difference between night and day as far as supply goes? I mean, he still nurses 2-3 hours all around the clock, so why would the light make a difference?

[Topo]

Does he sttn? Maybe cluster feeding? Bobbie used to do that. Especially during a growth spurt.

[Nell4Him]

nope. He's never slept through the night. There was one period of about a week that he actually slept 4 hour intervals, but not since. It's really frustrating.

[Topo]

Hm. Maybe he's not nursing so much for food but maybe for comfort?

[Kendergirl]

Hm. Maybe he's not nursing so much for food but maybe for comfort?

I would think this might be the case. Tegan will frequently pull off when she wants to nurse but not get the milk. The milk ticks her off, so she pulls off for a breather before trying again.

How do you know you're actually empty? When that happens they will usually suck more vigorously with frustration at this point in time, then they'll have a total fit if they still don't get anything.

As far as supply goes, most people have the most milk in the morning because of hormone production that happens in your sleep.

[MommyQCT]

Just figured I'd check in b/c I could not log in for so long!


How is everyone doing? BF'd is going ok for me - it if fine when I am at home with him. Seems to be eating more frequently then he did as a new born. He used to go every 3-4 hours as a newborn, but since he has been 3 months he rarely goes more than 2 hours (in the day) but he only takes about 15 oz (total) while i am at work. I also noticed our sessions are MUCH shorter. He will eat for like 5 mins. tops per session. Instead of like 20 mins. a few months ago.

He is also doing this "suck, suck, pull away, suck suck, pull away" thing. Sometimes it is when my DH is talking or the TV is on other times it will be when we are all alone in a quiet room. So not sure if it is distraction or he wants to nurse for comfort but doesn't really want the milk.

Pumping has been going crappy! I have been having oatmeal every morning and 3 cups of Mothers Milk tea each day which helps alot - but I get about 2-3 oz.s per session if I am lucky. I pump 10 oz on days when I work and I bearly get in a session or 2 on my days off b/c he is on my boob like all the time. I have about 3 weeks stash left but it is going down fast - Pls. get my pumping supply back so I don't have to give formula when he is at daycare!!!! Though I find since starting soilds I am able to pump a little more often knowing he will be full for a bit after he eats.

[Nell4Him]

How do you know you're actually empty? When that happens they will usually suck more vigorously with frustration at this point in time, then they'll have a total fit if they still don't get anything.

This exactly. Plus it hurts all over when this happens. It kind of feels like well, for illustration purposes, like a straw that's collapsed under the pressure.

[ASIHER]

I also noticed our sessions are MUCH shorter. He will eat for like 5 mins. tops per session. Instead of like 20 mins. a few months ago.

He is also doing this "suck, suck, pull away, suck suck, pull away" thing. Sometimes it is when my DH is talking or the TV is on other times it will be when we are all alone in a quiet room. So not sure if it is distraction or he wants to nurse for comfort but doesn't really want the milk.

You described Zach to a T! He only eats for about 5 mins at a time during the day, and he is soooo easily distracted. He will eat for 2 mins, look around, then eat for 2 mins, look around.

[gypsy86]

Ellie just hit that distracted easily stage. i knew for sure when she was exhausted (at a family member's funeral) and wouldnt crash, then i tossed the blanket over her head and i swear she was out instantly! i have to go in the bedroom to nurse her most the time now, and if she can hear people in the rest of the house she still gets distracted!

[Kendergirl]

This exactly. Plus it hurts all over when this happens. It kind of feels like well, for illustration purposes, like a straw that's collapsed under the pressure.

Is he biting? The sucking would feel like he's trying to give you a massive hickey. Does your nipple look swollen or compressed once he lets go? If it's swollen and elongated then he's sucking really hard, if it's compressed then he's chomping down on it. Sucking would mean he's trying to get something and he's not, chomping could be teething or trying to stop the flow so he can comfort nurse.

Tegan used to chomp a lot when my flow was too fast. It hasn't been a problem for awhile, but she just started doing it again because she likes to comfort suck on occasion. Crying after chomping and letting go can come from being mad about wanting to nurse without the milk but not being able to.

It's important to figure out if you're REALLY low supplied. Can you get milk from the breast once he pulls off? If you can, then he can for sure.