I need some b/f advice please

[Tam-I-Am]

Hi, I need some advice.

I've always breastfed Bubba Claire, and have always had a really abundant supply. Lately I've been getting more and more worried though. Claire is 9 1/2 months old now, and is only on 2-3 breastfeeds a day - more often than not she won't take her lunchtime feed. which is fine because I make her breakfast cereal with breastmilk -80-100ml, so I know she's getting more than enough, plus her three solid feeds a day. She's a good eater, is not fading away to a shadow or anything.

BUT - 4 things are stressing me out at the moment.
1) I think my supply is running out because - I'm expressing up to 3 times a day, and can hardly get more than 50ml at a time - I always used to be able to get heaps more than this, like up to 200ml.
2) I can hardly ever feel a letdown response anymore - and to get my milk to let down I really have to seem to concentrate very hard on the sensation of Claire sucking.
3)I just started back at work, so I need to be expressing to have a supply ready for her on the days I'm at work - but it takes the three times that I express to even get enough for her breakfast mil - I've got only 1 bottle in the freezer at the moment - and it took a week to get that!
4)Claire is not having enough wet nappies in a day. She refuses to take water in a cup, no matter how many times I've offered it, she won't drink it in a bottle either. She doesn't take the lunchtime feed, so I'm not sure that she's getting enough liquid to keep her hydrated. Having said that, she doesn't seem to be dehydrated - her lips are fine, she's happy and full of energy etc - but it's worrying me a bit.

I know that by expressing more often I should be building my supply up again, but I don't feel like this is happening. I know the stress won't be helping - but breastfeeding has always been so important to me (I've had PND and felt that breastfeeding is one of the things that really defines me as Claire's mum, and not just one of the other people who looks after her - so if I couldn't feed her anymore, I'd be pretty devastated).

I don't know what to do, and I'm feeling pretty upset. I was just wondering if anyone had any ideas or advice for me. I'd really appreciate it!

[Funkychicken]

Hi Tami,
I know what you are feeling. This is so similar to what I went through with my DD. I'll look for the post I did about it and repost it here for you.

[the_queen]

It can be perfectly normal to not be able to express very much at all, while still having a good supply. Supply depends on demand, usually, but stress can have a negative effect too. And hearing that probably makes you stress more, so you're caught in a vicious cycle. Sux doesn't it! Here's some hugs :hugs:

Are you a member of the ABA? I'd be giving their counsellors a call, see what they can suggest.


This next bit of advice might sound a bit "out-there" but hear me out OK? :) I have read recently that they (the mysterious "they" of the scientific variety;)) have done studies on what human tears contain. The studies reveal that tears contain stress hormones - in other words, when we cry, it can lower our stress levels. So PLEASE do not hold your emotions inside matey, have a big old cry and get it all out of your system. I know what it's like to feel like your supply is dropping, and although the best way to combat it is to "relax and don't stress", that's easier said than done.

You're doing such a great job with the breastfeeding, you are a wonderful and fantastic mummy and she sounds like she's bright and healthy - all your doing!! You are so caring and maternal and are the most fabulous mummy that Claire could ever ask for! Here's some more hugs :hugs:

[Goosie22]

Hi,

Returning to work plus the reduction in actual nursing may have upset the balance. These things usually work themselves out. However if you dont feel you can take a chance take yourself up to the health food store and buy some Fenugreek and start taking that (pm me if you need any advise on how much to take). Offering the breast more when home would also assist as would pumping at night around 1am prolactin is at its peek. Women who exclusivley pump are advised to pump at least 8-10 times a day.

[Funkychicken]

Hi again Tami,
Sorry, but i couldn't find my other post so I'll tell you a little of my similar experience. My DD was quite an independent baby to begin with. She was quite happy to take it or leave it with breastfeeding once she was established on solids. I found this a bit difficult as i had had a really dependent son who adored breastfeeding. When she was about 9 months she dropped one feed and went down to 3 times/day. This is so clear to me still as the impact on me at the time was huge. I had intended to feed her for at least 18 months. A few weeks later she dropped her lunchtime feed and outright refused it. I bought an electric breastpump and started to express but it was a bit pitiful. I managed enough for one daytime feed and she was still taking the breast morning and night. Another few weeks and she stopped taking a night-time feed. This was devastating as it was for me the best feed of the day-snuggling up with her in bed. I kept expressing but could barely produce enough for one feed. At this stage she was 11 months so I had to introduce formula which I found vile and revolting (my own opinion here). By 12 months she outright refused any breastfeeding.
I was quite upset about it and felt like a failure. I rang ABA, then nursing mothers, and spoke with the nicest person. She was fantastic in validating me as a person and a mother regardless of the fact I was no longer breastfeeding.
It was such a traumatic thing for me and I really didn't deal with it all very well at
the time but I have allowed myself to heal. The best thing I heard at the time was that I was still a great mum and still worthwhile regardless of whether I was still feeding my bub. I was then and I still am now.
I would strongly agree with Goosie and give ABA a call-even just to chat with them on the phone. They are there to help mums just like us.
Please don't devalue yourself because of this. You are a great mum who is doing the best for her child.:hugs:

PM me if you want to talk about it more.

[lukaelmo]

Hey Tami,

I have been BFing the dude for 9 months now and I don't feel the let down anymore either. The dude also doesn't seem to drink very much and doesn't have as many wet nappies as I would like.

But he is happy and alert, so I am not going to stress for the moment. I agree with the others, consult a professional and hopefully get some answers.

[Tea Lady]

I agree with the others Tami - the ABA are just great and they will have more tricks up their sleeves than we do! It must be hard trying to manage work and bf and everything, and to have this issue thrown in as well is pretty awful. Do try the ABA and see what advice they give (you don't have to be a member to ring them up btw ). :)

[Tam-I-Am]

Thanks to everyone for their replies.

Just a quick update:

I went and got some Fenugreek yesterday, thanks so much for the suggeston Goosie22 - I'm taking 2 x 500mg tabs 3 times a day with meals - this is what they suggested at the health food shop.

I have been expressing 2-4 times a day since yesterday, and as hard as it was - I got up at 1:30am to express this morning and will keep doing so until I feel that my supply has leveled out. When I got up at this time, though, I realised that I felt really ill - so I went to the doctor today and I have tonsilitis - he thinks the combination of getting sick, going back to work and Claire cutting back on feeds have all contributed to a temporarily-depleted supply, and thinks that I'm doing all the right things to boost it again! All things that you guys told me to do!

Queen, thank you so much for your encouragement. I had a good cry yesterday, and, suprisingly did feel much better afterwards!

Lukaelmo and Sal008 and Tea Lady thank you very much for sharing your experiences and advice - I really appreciate your input. Especially yours Sal008, cause it sounds like you went through much what I am - and sharing your story told me that I will be okay even if I don't really like the outcome.

I'm going to see how it goes over the next week or so, if things are still down, then I'm gonna try the ABA.

Thanks again guys!

[Goosie22]

Oh sorry about your tonsilitis, should have got some garlic caps while you were out at the health food shop:) .

Oh well lots of :hugs: and keep up the good work.