Help- BF pregnant and supply issue

[ImNotJustAnymum]

Hi there I currently have a 4 month old who is full BF.
I have recently found out I am pregnant (BIG Surprise ) and for nearly two weeks my normally placid, good sleeper good feeder has turned into a fussy waking up multiple times through the night kind of boy who sceams when i try to feed him and i feel absolutly empty (not the empty compared to engorged) but empty like he has just finished a full feed before he has even started..

i am and have been taking Fenugreek tablets which were working great previously when i had supply issues but nothing seems to be getting my supply back up. I am feeding very frequently and tried expressing but dont get much out (mind you im not a good machine milker)

Anyway I am just starting to stress badly which prob isnt helping- i dont want to wean him yet but i dont know when my supply will build again..

does anyone have positive BF while pregnant stories esp with a baby of a similar age or some advice on how to increase supply- so far have not been topping up with anything but if he keeps on with this i feel i may have no choice and i know that will speed up the downward spiral of supply.

[ImNotJustAnymum]

Sorry to bump but was hoping someone may have some advice as im stressing and that prob isnt helping the situation

[Me]

Firstly, stop the fenugreek, it's not good for you when preg.

Secondly, your milk does change in taste when preg, is it possible he's having a tanty at the change in taste? Gosh I hope you know what I mean.

Many women can successfully bf whilst pregnant, but you really need to keep up your nutrician, eat healthy meals regularly, and drink plenty of fluids.

Brewers yeast is also good for supply issues, but tastes foul. You'll have to check with your health food store if it's ok for pregnancy. Alternatively, if youre suffering MS, you could ask your GP for maxalon as it will help with the nausea and is known to help increase milk supply, though I was told its not a Class A for bf'ing, but that it is commonly used for increasing supply.

Best of luck. My DD2 started waking LOTS overnight when I first fell pg, but it did settle down. I very much believe that they can sense something is going on and they don't know what it is.

[headoverfeet]

My DS1 was 5.5mths when I fell UTD I didn't have supply issues until later in the pregnancy. I second the brewers yeast (milkshake with banana, honey, milk, oats and whatever else takes your fancy) Try eating porridge for breakfast too, I would also call the ABA as they may recommend you visit your GP for some medication. I found the book Adventures in Tandem Feeding by Hilary Flower indispensable for information and dispelling any myths people throw at you.

I really just focused on feeding DS1 on cue (demand) I found co-sleeping really helped my supply as he had 24/7 access this way, I did not use any top-ups or formula just as much boobing as possible (its great practise for the tandem demand!).

Enjoy the fact that you can laze about and basically tend to your DDs needs without much hassle, I use to camp out in the lounge with nappies and wipes on hand and no top on. Dinner would wait until hubby got home and we would take turns cooking and eating while one held DS1, then we would all shower together and crash into bed with the tv on until we went to sleep.

Keep up your fluids (water/milk is best, no caffine as it lowers your supply) and keep a health as possible diet, check out the kelly mom website for heaps of tandem/pregnant info!

Feel free to ask any more questions

[ImNotJustAnymum]

Thank you both for you replies- i had a really bad night last night and unsure what the problem is...

ME- have now stopped fenugreek oops didnt realise its not good for pregnnt women.. hope that my supply wont drop any further by stopping it-

Babymaker-thanks already eating oats and trying to feed as much as possible- going to try and find a copy of that book

thanks again i really appreciate it- got him weighed today and will weigh him again on tueday to make sure he is getting enough and will persevere until its no good for him

[headoverfeet]

It may sound like Im harping on but I would really try to get a hold of that book asap I really can't stress it enough it is a wonder of information It has a section on young infants and weight gain while the mother is pregnant, I found it really helped knowing how my hormones were working.

[Mrs Nietzsche]

First of all, stop stressing.

I've gotten pregnant twice with a 4.5 month old baby,and fed through both pregnancies. (Well, actually, I'm now tandem feeding through the second, I'm 4 months preg).

It's normal for there to be a shocking change in sleep pattern at 4 month.

You will be starting solids fairly soon and that will complement your breastmilk. The la leche league state that there is no benefit to topping up a breastfed baby with formula if they are on solids - they can just eat a bit more if necessary.

I've always used the BLW method and that way they can eat as much as they need.

Just don't stress, go with the flow, it's normal totally normal for the feel of your breasts to change. Mine change too, but there's still plenty of milk.

The *taste* can change initially, which can result in a fussy baby.

Supply *can* be affected, but that's more likely to happen in the 5 month of pregnancy, and by then your baby will be reducing their milk intake anyway.

[ImNotJustAnymum]

Thanks guys im going to persevere - much to the worry of my husband who worries i will hit PND territory again- but am aware of the potential so trying to stay on top of things..
like i said going to get him weighed again on tueday so hopefully will put my mind at ease a bit that he is defiantly getting something..

thanks for suggesting the 4month old sleep pattern change as sometimes he is that fussy im not even sure if he is hungry or its teeth or who nows its hard to be rational at 2 am

Babymaker do you know of any stockist of the book in australia- so far only found them on amazon...

again thats for you help- will let you know how things go..

[headoverfeet]

Just looking for you, not sure if you have seen this by the ABA http://www.breastfeeding.asn.au/bfinfo/tandem.html

Sorry I can't find any, the aba store mothers direct does not seem to stock it I got mine from amazon.

[ImNotJustAnymum]

Thanks everyone- just a quick update had a much better weekend- seems my supply picked up a touch and he is a bit more settled of an evening- think his teeth are playing havoc as well

will order the book off amazon- and thank you i had seen the ABA resource-