Whats happened to my milk supply ?!

[mama2b]

Over the last few days I feel like my milk supply has decreased. Lucas has been feeding more and when he has a bottle of ebm he is drinking the full 5oz when before he was leaving maybe one or two.

I now feel like my boobs are always 'empty'. A few days ago, when he was due a feed or a time when I would express they would be rock hard and leaking but they haven't been hard for at least two days, they just feel soft all the time. I know he is being satisfied after a feed but when it comes to my expressing time it is taking double the amount of time it normally takes and I am not producing as much milk as I was (it has also started hurting again)

Why has this suddenly happened ? I wanted to start building up a supply of frozen milk for when everever someone babysits but whatever i express he drinks !!!

 

[Samantha675]

I think it could be one of two things really. 1st: he is getting better at sucking and you are getting better at producing what he needs, so you are not making all the extra, it is a bit of equilibrium. or 2nd: He is also getting close to his 6 week growth spurt, so he may be taking that extra that you were producing. Its a pretty big spurt, so he will be a hungry boy!

 

[Mervs Mum]

What you are experiencing is probably a combination of two things.
1. The 6 week growth spurt! Keep putting him to your boobs and then your supply will start to adjust accordingly.

2. BFing is starting to become more 'established'. Your boobs are starting to regulate. You wont engorge anymore. They wont 'fill' and 'empty' in the same way as they did. They will start producing milk on demand so they may feel soft all the time.

DONT PANIC!!

The main thing is your BFing is everything is exactly as it should be. Unfortunately expressing is what I call a 'nice to have' - it's not essential at this point and not really achieveable in a growth spurt. Once the spurt is over you now can start to work on a pumping routine to start getting that stash together

 

[Mervs Mum]

Sam I started typing and got broken off before I hit post, so sorry to basically repeat!! GReat minds and all that!

 

[Samantha675]

Sam I started typing and got broken off before I hit post, so sorry to basically repeat!! GReat minds and all that!

Now way, I think it is good to repeat. We all say things differently. And to be honest, I think it is very reasurring to hear people agree about what is going on with BFing when you are just starting out. It always makes me feel better when I am a bit lost.

 

[mama2b]

How long does the growth spurt last !? He has been boozing all morning lol

 

[Jemima]

They usually last 2-3 days so prob just until tomorrow for you. Hang in there, sounds like you're doing just great. x

 

[Samantha675]

Usually 2-3 days sometimes a week. Brenn had one at around 9-10 months that seemed to last freaking forever.

 

[mama2b]

A week ! bloody hell, im going to get one of those big bells the jersey cows have lol

 

[happy&healthy]

A week ! bloody hell, im going to get one of those big bells the jersey cows have lol