Help! Milk Disappearing!

[Madi]

Hi Guys

I need some advice(badly!). Over the last week, I've noticed that DS (5months old) is wanting to be fed every hour and a half to two hours during the day(instead of about every four hours), but is still happy to sleep through the night. At first I thought that he was just going through a growing stage, but this morning I woke up and I had no milk!!! He couldn't get anything out, just kept sucking, then pulling away and crying. I couldn't get one drop out myself. It took an hour and a hot shower before he got even a little feed. I've never had a problem with milk (unless it's been having too much) so I'm at a loss as to what's happened.
Yesterday and today he's just wanted to be attached all the time and he's crying his hungry cry. DH has gone to pick up some formula, which I'm happy to use in the short term, but I want to keep breast feeding!
Nothing has changed in my diet or habits, except that he's been sleeping through for a month and a half, so for ten hours a night I don't feed. Maybe that's reduced my supply??

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Madi.

[Mummaof2]

Madi,

It could be that ur milk supply has lowered due to bubs sleeping through the night for the past month & a half but at the same time you should still be have enough supply for his daily feeds.

I would speak to your doc, breastfeeding clinic or ring the ABA for some advice.

[Madi]

Thanks. I'll try the ABA and see how I go.

[Frazzled]

Madi, a similar thing happened to me last week. It lasted for about 4 days and it was because my period returned, which can lower ur supply. A friend recommended drinking sustagen which seemed to help. My period is over, bub is back to his normal self and its all leaks again! I found that being anxious and stressed made it worse too!

Good luck, Kate x

[xkwzit]

Hi Madi
Putting him on to feed frequently should build your supply. It may just be a growth spurt (sometimes your supply takes a few days to catch up). If it doesn't seem to have settled in a few days see an LC (or before if you are really bothered). The risk you run supplementing with formula is that it doesn't help your supply at all (like putting baby on does) and your baby may prefer formula / bottles and you may wean earlier than you intended. Doesn't happen to everyone, but it is a real risk.

Personally, I would see a LC before supplementing. The ABA is good for general advice, but an LC will watch you feed and can tell you so much to help you out. They are worth their weight in gold (and if you don't like the first one, find another), your paed should be a good place to start (esp if they are pro BF)

Cheers

[Madi]

It came back! With a vengence! I spent pretty much all day feeding him, every hour or so and now it's back. Thanks for the advice guys.

[xkwzit]

Madi
I'm so happy for you . I think that alot of health care professionals advocate comp feeding with formula without warning ppl of the risks. There are so many other things to try before you go there (and potentially unintentionally wean your baby).

I know that for some women a lack of supply (or other problems) means that FF is the right answer for them - so please don't think I'm having a go at FF. I just think if you are BF you need to know that while boobs can be incredibly adaptive, its a good idea not to confuse them too much, and there are many other options you can try before you decide on comp feeding with formula.

Cheers