NY resolution, Breast feeding question

[~Carolyn~]

I would love to keep breast feeding for as long as possible, but i have a supply issue. As soon as i stop doing night feeds my supply drops off. For the boys i kept persisting, but as soon as i was pregnant again, that was it they would not latch on.

Now (im not preggas) but my supply is not great and i want to increase it. I have fenugreek, and i dont have time to express or put my feet up to 'make milk'. E is also very impatient and as soon as the let down has finished she is off and squirming and refuses to latch back on.

She is on solids so she gets that, so she isnt starving, but i am worried that she will ahve too much solids then not take as much breast then milk supply goes even lower.

What have others done to ensure that their supply stays high and they keep breast feeding beyond the 6-12 month mark.

Any advice appreciated.

[Bek]

perhaps feeding more frequently during the day?
offering a 'dream-feed' when you're going to bed, if she's sleeping through at night, otherwise just continuing the night feeds?

my guys still feed at night, and haven't gotten into solids in a big way until over 12mths, so it hasn't been a big issue here. sorry!

[tishsmum]

Originally Posted by acmte

Now (im not preggas) but my supply is not great and i want to increase it.

How do you know your supply isn't great? It sounds like she might be just a quick feeder. Not all babies need to feed for a long time each feed, mine were always speed feeders then on to something else

[~Carolyn~]

In the evenings she scratches and pulls at me and cries- thats why i thought my supply was low. also in the evening her nappies are hardly wet, and if i go out she gets constipated bc of lack of fluid.

But Janie you are right about the quick feeder. I have friedns whos kids were taking 20 min at her age to feed, we are lucky to sit for 5 min.

[tishsmum]

Mmmm, it does sound like it drops at night doesn't it? Do you bf before giving solids? There is something you can get from the Dr to help get it going. Are you eating and drinking enough?

[mokster26]

Originally Posted by acmte

In the evenings she scratches and pulls at me and cries- thats why i thought my supply was low.

My little bub does exactly that - after the letdown has finished he fusses and scratches and hits my boobs . I was also worried I didn't have enough milk but I worked out that he is ultra quick - at 4 months he takes about 5 mins either side and my best fix is to pull him off shortly after the letdown is done to have the other side. He is continuing to put on weight so it seems all good.
With solids I read somewhere that it's good to give boob then solids after that way they still keep up all their nutrients - not sure if you already do that. I hope to keep BFing until at least 12 months but I'll have to wait and see what happens.

[~Carolyn~]

Yes i do give the breast before solids otherwise she wouldnt take the breast.

I was thinking of a BF necklace, but i think that would be too distracting and she would just try to eat it as apposed to playing with it while feeding.

A friend told me that BF is a full time occupation.

Its so frustrating as it is the most natural thing in the world and yet i struggle.

[tishsmum]

Could she just be crankier at night and its not related to your supply?

[Bek]

most people find that their breasts are 'emptier' at the end of the day, and bub often wants to cluster-feed.
have you tried talking to an ABA counsellor for suggestions?

how many feeds is she having most days??

[*Tracee*]

Could you make sure you drink enough towards the ned of the day? If I don't drink enough I know Claire doesn't get as good as a feed as usual (which then means she'll want feeds during the night) during the evening.
Both my girls have been quick feeders, the longest feed they've ever had would be 15minutes yet they still put weight on ok especially as young babies. Claire now can be done in 3minutes and she's had enough to produce a big wee soon after!