What can inhibit supply?

[kar]

My supply is falling short for my growth spurting bub. He is 7 wks yesterday and I am pretty sure has been having his 6 wk growth spurt for the last 3 days or so. My boobs just don't seem to be catching up and he is HUNGRY. No doubt about it as he guzzled 100mls of ebm last night after BFing for 40 mins and he has never even had a bottle before.
I am drinking water, taking 2caps x 3 Fenugreek a day (only started yesterday though), feeding completely on demand including for as long as he likes , trying without any success to express. Basically everything recommended to increase supply and my boobs are soft and flat, although they did get bigger overnight when there was a decent break between feeds.
I have not had any supply issues before and I am really stressing out.

My question is - is there anything that can inhibit supply? I can't think of anything that is really different but wondering if there is anything I should think about.

[Little_P]

Hi Kar
I think I read that it can take a few days to a week for the fenugreek to work but lots of women say they have success with it. There a lots of wonderfully supportive ladies here so Im sure you will get lots of encouragement.

For me, stress was a big issue for my supply so try not to worry too much - I know its hard!

You are doing all the right things. When you think your thirst is quenched, have a bit more water. There are lactation boosting cookies in the sticky section and I have also read that peanuts that you shell yourself can help. Oats are good too.

I went through lots of times in the early days when I felt I didn't have enough and we made it to 6months.

Maybe call the ABA I found them a fantastic support. GL you are doing a great job :yelclap:

[MsMummy]

My supply is falling short for my growth spurting bub. He is 7 wks yesterday and I am pretty sure has been having his 6 wk growth spurt for the last 3 days or so. My boobs just don't seem to be catching up and he is HUNGRY. No doubt about it as he guzzled 100mls of ebm last night after BFing for 40 mins and he has never even had a bottle before.
I am drinking water, taking 2caps x 3 Fenugreek a day (only started yesterday though), feeding completely on demand including for as long as he likes , trying without any success to express. Basically everything recommended to increase supply and my boobs are soft and flat, although they did get bigger overnight when there was a decent break between feeds.
I have not had any supply issues before and I am really stressing out.

My question is - is there anything that can inhibit supply? I can't think of anything that is really different but wondering if there is anything I should think about.

My supply dropped when I started exercising a lot.

I tried a few things, but have found oat milk (oats apparently help supply) the easiest (because you just substitute it for normal milk) and most effective so far.

[Milliner]

I would urge you to call the ABA 1800mum2mum.

It's sounds like you're having doubts.

Babies have a sucking reflex, so taking anything from a bottle may not mean that they are hungry but there's something in their mouth so they suck.

Your breasts feeling soft doesn't mean that you’re not producing enough milk. My engorgement with baby number 2 only lasted about a week or so.

Expressing also has no bearing on your supply. I have always struggled to get a let down with a breast pump and could sit there for hours and still only get 30 mls. But, that didn’t mean I didn’t have enough milk to feed my child, she was happily exclusively breastfed for 8 months and is still feeding today at 18 months.

Babies like comfort and they suck for comfort. Call the ABA maybe they’ll reassure you.

[kar]

Milliner, that is a good point re the sucking reflex. There is no doubt in my mind he was hungry that night, but my supply seems to have caught up and I will keep in mind that just taking a bottle doesn't mean he is hungry.
We tried the same thing last night even though I thought he had probably had enough BF milk and he ended up with a sore overful tummy.

[LilMissnBoo]

I would urge you to call the ABA 1800mum2mum.

It's sounds like you're having doubts.

Babies have a sucking reflex, so taking anything from a bottle may not mean that they are hungry but there's something in their mouth so they suck.

Your breasts feeling soft doesn't mean that you’re not producing enough milk. My engorgement with baby number 2 only lasted about a week or so.

Expressing also has no bearing on your supply. I have always struggled to get a let down with a breast pump and could sit there for hours and still only get 30 mls. But, that didn’t mean I didn’t have enough milk to feed my child, she was happily exclusively breastfed for 8 months and is still feeding today at 18 months.

Babies like comfort and they suck for comfort. Call the ABA maybe they’ll reassure you.

:iagree: I don't think you have an issue with your supply at all, just go with the flow all the feeds that he is having at the moment should ease up in the next few days or so.

[pkbub]

:iagree: with all the above great advice, but would also add that you need to make sure you are eating a healthy diet with lots of protein and essential fatty acids and all those healthy vitamins and nutrients you need to make milk.