Actually.. a few more B/F questions!?...

[dannii]

Ive been wondering about a few things lately regarding B/F, so thought id ask a few while i was here!!..
:p
i was just wondering if i expressed in between feeding bub, if that will help build up a bigger milk supply?

Does drinking water (or lack of) do anything to my supply?

How many ml's do i need to express into a bottle for a 1 feed?

Thats all i can think of atm!

Thanks in advance :D

[Lunar]

you should drink plenty of water while bf.
as for expressing, I really don't know, it may well be a trial and error thing you ahve to work out for yourself and I suppose it depends on how much your baby wants.
Hope I've been of some help to you danni.
Did you try that site..?

[Goosie22]

Your milk supply is not fully established yet so the more you feed the more you will make (takes 3 months then there are lots of growth spurts untill around 6 months). Staying hydrated is also important drink to thurst though there is no need over do it.

When feeding are you feeding from only one boob each feed(if you put the baby back to the breast within the hour or two after its feed then put it back to the same boob)? this helps to make sure the baby gets adequate hind milk which keeps them satisfied longer. Also helps to drain the breast and encourage more milk.

If you want to express after a feed for 5 min each feed will be enough to boost your supply BUT it would take about a week before you had enough for a feed ( about 50 mls Breastmilk )

There are drugs you can take to boost your supply but you will need a script and if your baby is putting on weight/weeing/pooing then you probably wont need them.

[JanetF]

Provided your baby has 24 hour unfettered access to the breast you should never have supply problems. There are a few illnesses which can cause problems but they are very very rare. Some articles listed below about that one :) I have no idea how much your baby is eating and the beauty of bf is never having to worry because babies are cleverly designed to eat until full and then stop :D
So I can't help you with an amount to express.


What should you eat and drink while bf?
http://www.kellymom.com/nutrition/mom/mom-diet.html


What IS needed for maintaining an ample supply of milk?
The main thing needed to maintain an ample milk supply is simple --
The more often and effectively your baby nurses, the more milk you will have.
Occasionally, a mother's calorie or fluid intake can affect milk production:

Calories: In general, you should simply listen to your body and eat to appetite - this is usually all you need to do to get the calories you need. Counting calories is rarely necessary unless you are having problems maintaining a healthy weight. Excessive dieting can reduce milk supply, but sensible dieting is generally not a problem.
Liquids: It is not necessary to force fluids; drinking to satisfy thirst is sufficient for most mothers. Unless you are severely dehydrated, drinking extra fluids is not beneficial, may cause discomfort, and does not increase milk supply. It is not necessary to drink only water - our bodies can utilize the water from any fluid.
The main message on calories and fluids -- Eat when hungry & drink when thirsty.[/QUOTE]

http://www.kellymom.com/bf/supply/low-supply.html

[QUOTE]Is your milk supply really low?
First of all, is your milk supply really low? Often, mothers think that their milk supply is low when it really isn't. If your baby is gaining weight well on breastmilk alone, then you do not have a problem with milk supply.

It's important to note that the feel of the breast, the behavior of your baby, the frequency of nursing, the sensation of let-down, or the amount you pump are not valid ways to determine if you have enough milk for your baby.
What if you're not quite sure about baby's current weight gain (perhaps baby hasn't had a weight check lately)? If baby is having an adequate number of wet and dirty diapers then the following things do NOT mean that you have a low milk supply:

Your baby nurses frequently. Breastmilk is digested quickly (usually in 1.5-2 hours), so breastfed babies need to eat more often than formula-fed babies. Many babies have a strong need to suck. Also, babies often need continuous contact with mom in order to feel secure. All these things are normal, and you cannot spoil your baby by meeting these needs.
Your baby suddenly increases the frequency and/or length of nursings. This is often a growth spurt. The baby nurses more (this usually lasts a few days to a week), which increases your milk supply. Don't offer baby supplements when this happens: supplementing will inform your body that the baby doesn't need the extra milk, and your supply will drop.
Your baby nurses more often and is fussy in the evening.
Your baby doesn't nurse as long as she did previously. As babies get older and better at nursing, they become more efficient at extracting milk.
Your baby is fussy. Many babies have a fussy time of day - often in the evening. Some babies are fussy much of the time. This can have many reasons, and sometimes the fussiness goes away before you find the reason.
Your baby guzzles down a bottle of formula or expressed milk after nursing. Many babies will willingly take a bottle even after they have a full feeding at the breast. Read more here from board-certified lactation consultant Kathy Kuhn about why baby may do this and how this can affect milk supply. Of course, if you regularly supplement baby after nursing, your milk supply will drop (see below).
Your breasts don't leak milk, or only leak a little, or stop leaking. Leaking has nothing to do with your milk supply. It often stops after your milk supply has adjusted to your baby's needs.
Your breasts suddenly seem softer. Again, this normally happens after your milk supply has adjusted to your baby's needs.
You never feel a let-down sensation, or it doesn't seem as strong as before. Some women never feel a let-down. This has nothing to do with milk supply.
You get very little or no milk when you pump. The amount of milk that you can pump is not an accurate measure of your milk supply. A baby with a healthy suck milks your breast much more efficiently than any pump. Also, pumping is an acquired skill (different than nursing), and can be very dependent on the type of pump. Some women who have abundant milk supplies are unable to get any milk when they pump. In addition, it is very common and normal for pumping output to decrease over time.


Potential causes of low milk supply
These things can cause or contribute to a low milk supply:

Supplementing. Nursing is a supply & demand process. Milk is produced as your baby nurses, and the amount that she nurses lets your body know how much milk is required. Every bottle (of formula, juice or water) that your baby gets means that your body gets the signal to produce that much less milk.
Nipple confusion. A bottle requires a different type of sucking than nursing, and it is easier for your baby to extract milk from a bottle. As a result, giving a bottle can either cause your baby to have problems sucking properly at the breast, or can result in baby preferring the constant faster flow of the bottle.
Pacifiers. Pacifiers can cause nipple confusion. They can also significantly reduce the amount of time your baby spends at the breast, which may cause your milk supply to drop.
Nipple shields can lead to nipple confusion. They can also reduce the stimulation to your nipple or interfere with milk transfer, which can interfere with the supply-demand cycle.
Scheduled feedings interfere with the supply & demand cycle of milk production and can lead to a reduced supply, sometimes several months later rather than immediately. Nurse your baby whenever she is hungry.
Sleepy baby. For the first few weeks, some babies are very sleepy and only demand to nurse infrequently and for short periods. Until baby wakes up and begins to demand regular nursing, nurse baby at least every two hours during the day and at least every 4 hours at night to establish your milk supply.
Cutting short the length of nursings. Stopping a feeding before your baby ends the feeding herself can interfere with the supply-demand cycle. Also, your milk increases in fat content later into a feeding, which helps baby gain weight and last longer between feedings.
Offering only one breast per feeding. This is fine if your milk supply is well-established and your baby is gaining weight well. If you're trying to increase your milk supply, let baby finish the first side, then offer the second side.
Health or anatomical problems with baby can prevent baby from removing milk adequately from the breast, thus decreasing milk supply.

[dannii]

excellent, thanks heaps for all the advice.

And for the links to the websites. i did check out the aba.. and the kellymom one is a good one as well!!!

thanks again everyone :)

[Foxymoron]

here here on the drink lots of water :)
Can't add any further wisdom.. Janet's articles and resources should give you plenty to read!

[matty's mum]

Hi dannii
I posted on the ABA site then found you hear at least here I get to see what your baby looks like very cute. :)

[dannii]

haha thanks for that matty's mum! :D

I prolly didnt need to post anything on aba.. theres so many q's there, just have to read through, and pick up a few tips!

[matty's mum]

haha thanks for that matty's mum! :D

I prolly didnt need to post anything on aba.. theres so many q's there, just have to read through, and pick up a few tips!

I think it's good that you went to the ABA site as well, New mums will read your post and find information that suits them as well. I hope you work it all out.:)