Breastfeeding

Sue - posted on 11/04/2008

Mine feels like that, I never get full or leak like I hear other people talk about, but my youngest is only breastfed and is growing well. I think your body just adjusts and it may not feel like you have milk, but you do. As long as they are eating, not abnormally fussy and are growing well and wetting and stooling normal, your probably ok. Hope this helps!

Meredith - posted on 11/04/2008

Yeah for you! You've reached the point where your breasts won't be needing their own zip code! :) They will adjust to what your baby needs. Congrats!

Michelle - posted on 11/04/2008

Hey Stephanie!

Thought I'd reply to your post. I'm a mum to 4 kids all naturally home waterbirthed. I breasted all four (and am still nursing one). I'm also a doula!

What's happening love, most likely, is that your milk is adjusting to the needs of the baby now. They're regulating. Are your breasts getting softer, not so engorged? Maybe you're even looking at changing bra sizes? Until now, your breasts have been working it out. That's why you may have been really engorged and uncomfortable for a while. Your breasts were simply overproducing. Now they're regulating themselves.

Is bub still feeding well? Getting enough? Not asking for more in a short period of time? You should be right. Bub can, and likely will, change his eating habits and sometimes might simply feed more for comfort or because his appetite is changing (i.e. growth spurts). So long as you're not experiencing discomfort and he's not displaying that he's not getting enough, all should be very normal!

Hope this helps!!

~Michelle~

Sarah - posted on 11/04/2008

hey when my bub was born 4pound 12oz so was in special care nursery for a wk. they gave me some good tips whilst i was in there, as most of the others have said the best way to increase your supply is to keep constant feeding up to your little one or use an expressor after you feed to trick the breast into thinking that ur bub is drinking more. also they explained that at 3wks, 6 wks and 3 months the baby wil go thru a growth spurt so for 24 to 48 hrs they will be very unsettled and constantly hunger so it will seem to you that you are not supplying them with enough milk, it is a very trying time, i just finished going thru my sons 3 month one n it is very stressful, but continue with it cos after that 48 hrs your milk will have caught up with your sons demand.

Nicole - posted on 11/04/2008

From my personal experience the baby is still so young and your milk is still trying to regulate so I would suggest nursing every 2-4 hours around the clock for the next 2-4 weeks to ensure good weight gain and good milk supply. It's all about supply and demand. If your supply is dwindling it is likely due to low demand. My son is 22mo. and still going strong, but then we're doing child-led weaning. But, just so you know I have been at this for a while now. :-) Best wishes!

Joanie - posted on 11/04/2008

Are you feeding at least every two to three hours during the day? Is your baby satisfied after a feed? Is he back to his birthweight? If all those are 'yes' then you are doing fine. If you want your supply to increase you can nurse more often for short periods of time, or pump after you feed him. But as lomg as you're not supplementing and he is gaining weight, you are probably just fine.

Noelle - posted on 11/04/2008

There is an herb that you can purchase at most health food stores called fenugreek. It is supposed to help increase milk supply but it does cause diarhea in some cases.

Annie - posted on 11/04/2008

hiya my baby is three weeks old now i try put kaitlyn on my breast even if she does not cry for it it keeps my milk flowing and prevents them staying like rocks lol, my midwife says this is fine and shes gaining weight lovely x

Emily - posted on 11/03/2008

You do stop getting that engorged feeling as intensely - it doesn't mean the milk isn't there however. There is a drug for increasing milk supply called Domperidone that Dr. Jack Newman recommends but only in certain, limited cases - try his website for more info and suggestions: http://www.drjacknewman.com/
Anytime I felt like my milk wasn't there, I just put my son to the breast more often and that increased my supply.

Carrie - posted on 11/03/2008

It's normal to feel less engorged, it just means your body is figuring out how much milk you need, instead of making too much like in the beginning. Just keep nursing on demand and it should be fine. If you're really worried you can watch his wet and dirty diaper count. As long as he's peeing and pooing enough, he's eating enough.

Caitlin - posted on 11/03/2008

is your son eating a lot when he is feeding? it's all about demand and supply, the more he eats the more you should have, in theory. You could try pumping after he eats that would stimulate you to produce more milk. Are you drinking lots of water?

Erin - posted on 11/03/2008

This is normal at such an early stage in breastfeeding- your body is just trying to balance it all out and work out how much milk it needs to make! Just keep feeding as normal- be assured- your body will make enough for your baby-- in time you will feel less full etc but this is your body getting used to it all and only making just enough...

Katie - posted on 11/03/2008

yes you can go to the health food section in the store and get a tea called mothers milk. it really helps also any kind of green veggie is good for that and lots of water.