Milk Supply

Hello I have been bf'd ever since my son has been born 2 weeks ago...my milk came in about 3-4 days after the birth...However, now I seem to be having issues.  It seems as though I don't have enough milk supply for my little one as I would notice he would be hungry and want to feed every hour but only for about 10 min or so then he'd fall asleep and repeat this for a few hours in the afternoon.  I literally feel like all I was doing is sitting down and feeding him.  Now I have to supplement with formula so that he gets enough food and then he is much more content and won't fuss every hour.  

Anyhow, my question is does anyone know any tips/advice how I can increase my milk supply?

[eddiblair]

Congrats on breastfeeding! Supplementing with formula will only make your milk supply dwindle. Your body needs all the nursing time it can get to know to increase milk. Even if your baby is emptying your breasts, your body will get the hint and make more next time. It may feel like your baby is hungry, but as long as your hear him swallowing he is eating. Most likely he is not as hungry as you think he is. It's tough sometimes to get past those first few weeks without throwing in the towel, but if you don't..it'll be so worth it. It will get easier! Good luck to you!!

[mami1323]

I agree with eddiblair.  My son was the same way, would nurse and fall asleep and than about 1/2 hour later wanted more.  That's normal and it will get easier.  Breastfeeding is very difficult and the less I fed and supplimented with formula, the less my son wanted my breast becaue the less milk I was producing.  My son eventually weaned himself off of my breast by 2 months.  My advice, keep trying to feed him only breast and make sure to pump if you do decide to suppliment.  You want your body to think that you are nursing.  I was sad when my son didn't want to breastfeed anymore but it's a very individual choice, so if you feel like you can't do it anymore than that is fine also.  Good luck.

[mama2bja]

Pump in between feedings that's what I did that seemed to help.

[tiredbuthappy]

sounds like he hit the 2 week growth spurt! Boy was it exhausting! His constant feeding like that will naturally boost your supply and he will calm down in a few days. Expect similar growth spurts at 4 and 6 weeks, i think. Then you'll get a break for about a month. The ladies are right though- if you give formula then your supply won't increase to meet his needs.

[JoyRenee]

You will feel like you're nursing around the clock with a newborn. The best way to build your supply is to continue to let baby nurse at your breast as long as THEY want to nurse. So get comfy and grab your Boppy and put in a movie marathon.

You do not need to supplement with formula. This does not sound like a supply issue but what is termed "cluster feeding". Baby needs to nurse at LEAST 15 minutes on each side at this age so wake baby up (tickle their feet, undress him, change his diaper, etc.) and keep him at the breast. That is the reason he is waking every hour to nurse- because he is not finishing. You must also note that when you say a baby eats every 2-3 hours you are talking about from the START of a feeding to the START of the next feeding; not the END of a feeding to the START of the next one.

My 7 week old baby nurses every 2-3 hours and sometimes just wants to pacify herself at the breast.

I would also recommend finding a lactation consultant AND getting The Complete Guide to Breastfeeding book.

[JoyRenee]

Oh and it DOES get easier and you won't feel like you're nursing all the day long eventually. Keep at it and put the formula away!!!

[motherofan18month]

i started pumping breast milk when hanna was 4 days old....pumping every 2 hours and then after 2 weeks my milk supply dropped and kept dropping, so my ob gave something called reglan (which is now causing problems with some people-on the news) all though i was taking 4 a day as perscribed & getting help with my lactation consultant my milk supply never did increase so now hanna is drinking formula (since she was 4 weeks) yet i am still leaking in my right breast and hanna will be 4 months old in just week & 1/2! i was also unable to breastfeed my son so maybe its just that you may not be able to breastfeed! i hope everything works out for you...best of luck!

[Jonezy16]

Thank you everyone for your words and helpful advice!!  I tried pumping my breasts but sadly only received 1/2 ounce b/w both breasts .. this is also another reason why I thought my milk supply is dwindling...  I did notice that after a nice warm shower my right breast is leaking milk.. I guess this is a good sign that there's still some milk there??