Persistent low supply! PLEASE HELP!!

[flower94]

I need help ladies! My almost 7 week old son isn't getting enough milk from me. He's gaining weight fine but he's constantly fussy, especially while eating. I give him a bottle on those really fussy nights and he immediately calms down, suckling down 4-5 ounces before passing out for a good stretch of time. He needs me to hold him pretty much 24/7, to the point where I have a hard time finding the time to take a bathroom break. He wants to be constantly trying to nurse, but fusses while doing so, and he wont sleep for more than 20 minutes at a time, unless he has a bottle. Ive tried pumping to up my supply and I can go from getting 1/2 ounce total per session to 3 ounces total if I'm really persistent, and then his fussiness goes away and hes a dream baby. However, as soon as I cut back on the pumping sessions, my supply dips again. What am I doing wrong?

 

[Hopeful1479]

Hi there!! I went through this as well and at first my daughter was not gaiing weight and my supply was low so I had to supplement with formula which upset me but she needed the food. I went and saw a lactation specialist and found out about fenugreek, which is an herb which really help me out, I take it 3 times a day and can be bought at any drug store. Also I wanted to up my supply to pump to save for when I went back to work and my OBGYN prescribed me domperidone, which works AMAZING!! I still do supplement with formula when I have too and I have gotten over the shame in doing so... I have also increased my water intake as well which I was never a big water drinker. I am doing the best I can and my little girl is healthy and very happy!! Good luck!!

 

[Flake-y]

You're not doing anything wrong, don't worry! A fussy baby is never an indicator of supply. Lots of babies fuss at the breast & between feeds, it doesn't mean you don't have enough milk. It's actually very rare to have a true low supply.

The only way to ensure a good milk supply is to let your baby feed from you whenever he wants to, supplementing with formula will only tell your body that it doesn't need to make as much milk as your baby needs. Formula is harder for babies to digest, so they will go into a very deep sleep afterwards to try to digest it. Breastmilk digests very easily & quickly.

Also, babies go through a really major growth spurt around 6-7 weeks, and they will want to feed constantly. It can last a while. If your baby is always like this, it might be worth getting his latch checked or getting him checked for tongue tie, sometimes a poor latch can cause the problems you're having.

Just keep feeding tho! You're doing fab

 

[BigAl]

If he's gaining weight fine, and having plenty of wet/dirty nappies, your supply is probably fine. It may be that he has got used to the faster flow of the bottle. Like pp, growth spurts are pretty constant at this point.

Not sure how all of this helps though, does he take a dummy at all?

 

[flower94]

No, no dummy, he actually refuses to take it.

 

[staralfur]

As the PPs have said, it's unlikely you have low supply if he's gaining weight and having wet/dirty diapers.

I'd guess it's probably a growth spurt. Just keep feeding and it should settle down soon.

 

[sheldonsmommy]

As far as the pumping goes, the more you pump, the more milk your body will make. So if you find you pump pump pump for a week, your supply will have increased due to the extra stimulation. Thus, once you cut down, supply will decrease to meet baby's needs.

It's such a delicate balance to pump. If it's possible, cut out all bottles and just focus on nursing so your body is getting accurate signals. Maybe throw in a pump session in the morning after feeding when you are more likely to be full.

I don't know if your lo is getting enough, but weight gain and wet and dirty diapers will tell you that.

My son went through a fussy stage where he would always want to suckle, so I let him. It's his way of boosting your milk if he's not getting enough or having a growth spurt. It's hard, and so so frustrating, but it works.

I really hope you get through this rough patch unscathed