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Not enough milk?

Stephanie - posted on 06/15/2010 ( 3 moms have responded )

4

63

Hi ladies! Looking for a little advice, and ANY input is appreciated :)
My daughter is 6 weeks old. I knew right away that I would nurse, but also knew that I would supplement. My daughter has had formula, and drinks about 2 oz from a bottle. When I give her breast milk from a bottle, she usually takes 3oz. When I came home from the hospital, I was able to express 3 oz between both breasts. That amount has gone down to 1 oz between both. This is breaking my heart. I bought a good electric pump, thinking it would help build my milk supply. So far nothing has changed. I've also been putting my baby to the breast more often, she still takes at least an ounce of a bottle after nursing. I can't be making enough. So, here are my questions.. Is there another way to build up my supply? Could I be doing it wrong? Is it possible that 1 oz is enough for now since she doesn't require a lot? What could be causing the low milk supply? and how long does it take for your milk to dry up? I worry everyday that I will have none.Thank you in advance for your help!

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*Fluffy Bunnies - posted on 06/15/2010

5,416

9

Supplementing is probably causing the low supply. The best way to build a supply is to ditch the bottles and nurse as much as you can. How much you can pump is NOT an indication of how much milk you have. Pumps cannot get as much milk out as baby can. Breastfeeding is supply and demand. Every bottle that you give her is ounces that your body is not being signaled to make.
Generally, supplementing is a slippery slope. As your baby gets bigger she will eat more. You keep supplementing more and more and your supply keeps going down until it's gone. Don't offer the bottle after nursing. A full baby will take a bottle after nursing because they have to. Compared to the breast a bottle "dumps" milk in their mouth. Instead let her suckle as long as she wants. Let her nurse as often as she wants. This will build back up your supply. The best way to tell if you're making enough milk is by output. Watch her diapers. If she has 6+ wet/dirty diapers in a day then you know she's getting milk. Please read this link. It has great info on supply:
http://www.kellymom.com/bf/supply/low-su...

Celeste - posted on 06/15/2010

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30

None of what you've posted tells me you have low milk supply. The best way to know if your baby is getting enough is diaper count. If baby is getting 6-8 diapers, your supply is just fine.



A few things:

-Pumping is not an indicator of supply. Normal output is 1/2 to 2 oz so your output is fine. It is also normal for output to decrease a little bit. Since you're at 6 weeks, I'm betting it's your supply regulating.



-Supplementing can have an effect on your supply. Milk supply works on supply and demand, the more you nurse the more you will make. You're doing the right thing with putting her to the breast but I'd ditch the bottles. I would not give her anymore bottles if possible. Also take a look at this article about why a baby might guzzle a bottle and why this doesn't mean your supply is low:

http://www.mother-2-mother.com/cc-baby-B...



Also, take a look at this. Things that do NOT mean you have low supply:

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

Stephanie - posted on 06/15/2010

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63

also, when I do put her to the breast, she will feed for anywhere between 10 minutes to 45 minutes

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