Never seem to have any milk

[Samaras Mummy]

Hi all,

Ever since one of my breasts went out of order for 2 days when Samara was 2 1/2 weeks old my milk supply has never been the same. My breasts seem to take ages to fill back up and usually by the time Samara is hungry again they are still floppy.

I have spoken to a lactation consultant who has said I will still have milk in them and just to keep swapping her from breast to breast during feeds.

Has anyone else every had anything like this or have any suggestions?

Kathryn

[JanetF]

Breasts stop feeling full as soon as your baby regulates your supply to their needs. Making sure bubs has 24 hour a day access to food creates this :) Your breasts shouldn't feel full at this point, and they don't really take time to fill up as breasts are never really empty. By the time you swap bubs over, the "empty" breast is ready to rock again with another letdown.

This is about how the full feeling goes away - perfectly normal!
http://www.kellymom.com/bf/supply/breast-fullness.html

This explains about possible low supply although I doubt very much you have supply issues :)
http://www.kellymom.com/bf/supply/low-supply.html

This is how milk is made. When lactation experts talk about empty breasts it doesn't mean "no milk at home at all". Another letdown will occur if bubs keeps suckling.
http://www.kellymom.com/bf/supply/milkproduction.html

[draught]

The floppy feeling doesn't mean that they are empty - promise!
With my DD2 my breasts never felt full - always floppy - yet I fed her exclusively on breast milk for about 7 months (she wasn't interested at food when I tried at 6) and even now at 15 months she still gets two feeds a day from what appear to be "empty" and very floppy breasts - and I know she is getting milk from them as it dribbles out of her mouth when she falls asleep mid-feed!

[Oscar's mum]

The floppy feeling doesn't mean that they are empty - promise!



My boobs are the same rather floppy and empty feeling! Yet I also have lot's of milk in them. Does your bub seem dissatisfied after feeding?

[Artemis]

I agree that because they aren't engorged it doesn't mean that you aren't producing milk... I would suggest that checking your child's amount of wet nappies in a day and seeing how you go.. that is the best indicator... 4-5 really wet ones is pretty good... if you have any questions though.. please contact the Australian Breastfeeding Association and they should be able to help you out.

Good luck and keep up the great job!

[Samaras Mummy]

Hello Everyone,

Firstly thankyou all for your replys :)

JanetF - Thankyou very much for the links

draught and Oscar's mum - I have tryed a few times to give Samara a bottle of boiled water when she becomes really cranky while trying to feed of the breast but she wont take the bottle and winges at me as if to say what do u call this and turns back towards the breast. Shes seems satified most of the time but sometimes she just goes on pulls off and then screams.

******* - She is producing at least 4/5 wet nappys and peeing all over her change mat frequently :eek: So thats always a good thing right. Well not the peeing on the change mat thing hehe

Thanks again for your help

Kathryn

[Artemis]

I think that with that amount of wee you must be giving heaps of milk :D

[Artemis]

Sorry I just wanted to add that she is 4 months, so perhaps she could be teething. My daughter got her first tooth when she was 4 months and she was very unsettled on the breast as well... you could try some Brauer's teething relief and maybe a flannel wet and then frozen for her to rub over her gums and to munch on.

[Crazy Monkey]

Sounds to me like you have plenty of milk...
As the other have posted, empty looking breasts dont mean no milk...
As long as bubs is sucking, you will keep producing...

My DS got fussy at the breast when he had thrush... Not saying your bubs has it, but it might be worth checking out if the fussing get worse...

All the best

[Samaras Mummy]

Hi all,

Thanks for your replys again. :)

******* - Its possible that she could be teething as everything she holds gos into her mouth and she chews on it and she is also dribbling quite a fair bit. Is thoses signs that teething could be near?

jacksmum05 - Its possible that she could have thrush of the mouth. What are the signs to keep a look out for?

Thanks again ladies

:)

[Artemis]

Teething was a really tough one for our daughter.. she was very unsettled and would sort of gnaw on anything she could.. her fist, teething rings etc. And she was a real dribbler :p Poor wee one... we got some homeopathics to help and also having a frozen flannel that she could gnaw on seemed to be good. Run your finger on her gums and see how they feel... we were told that babies didn't get teeth that young but they were VERY wrong... she had 4 teeth by the time she was 6 months old :o which meant that sleeping was a bit troublesome, but we found that carrying her in a sling, giving her lots of boobie and keeping her close and giving lots of comfort was the best was to help her through it.

[Samaras Mummy]

Hello *******,

Samara is doing all those things you daughter was doing. Fists in mouth, toys in there everything thats near her goes in her mouth and she doesnt suck she grinds her gums. Have felt in her mouth and dont feel anything yet but i doubt her chompers are far off. Thanks for the help :)

[occbee]

I think the signs of oral thrush are white spots in the mouth that look a bit like milk or spew, but can't be wiped off. Also may have nappy rash. If she does have oral thrush you both have to be treated, because she would be transferring it to your nipples. you may be symptomless, or you may have sore nipples or a searing pain in the breast.

http://babyparenting.about.com/cs/healthissues/f/thrush.htm

Kylie