[isaroo]

I posted this on fb also....

I have some bf questions. Little back story, Nate was bf all day and formula fed at night. We had family in last week and I didn't pump like I should have since we were out a lot, and my supply dropped to a point I thought my milk was about to stop. So I've been pumping like crazy, trying to get to a point where I can bf him again. Anyway, I was able to pump a little last night and got him to bf for about a half hour. I pumped again after he went to bed and didn't get much. So I assume he drained what was there. We gave home 4oz of formula between bf and going to bed. He got up at 3:30am and only ate 2 ounces formula and fell asleep, then got up at 5:30 and ate an ounce....normally he'll eat 3-4 each of those feedings. Is he not eating the formula because his body is trying to adjust to my current low supply? Or is it just a coincidence that he isn't eating much? Should I exclusively breast feed until my supply is totally back? We have more company coming this week which will make ebf very difficult, not sure hat I should do...

[mommys munchkin]

I think you should breasuttfeed him as much as you can to increase your milk supply . About baby not feeding like he normally does, maybe you should ask his paed then he can advise you, though I know changes in feeding pattern can affect baby's appetite.

[*krista*]

Babies don't adjust to your supply, it is the other way around -- you adjust to their demand. The more you bf the better, but as long as you are supplementing it will sabotage your efforts to increase your supply, unless you are diligent about pumping.

Baby's appetite change was a coincidence, but if it continues I would talk to your pedi.

[isaroo]

Thanks, ladies. I'm going to ebf until our company arrives on Tuesday night. Once they are here, I'll keep it up best I can, and pump for sure if I can't. It is my inlaws coming, so my husband will just have to entertain them. My boobs are sore again and seem fuller then they were yesterday, so I'm hopeful we can recover from this mess I've created. Live and learn I guess. :/

[*krista*]

Oh you can recover! If you are worried eat oatmeal each day and get yourself some fenugreek.

[isaroo]

I had my husband pick up some fenugreek on his way home tonight. I need all the help I can get lol

[RandE]

Fenugreek is my best friend. Works amazing. :-)

[Mom2TuckerElla]

I would do this only under the direction of a lactation consultant if you have access to one. Because he tkes so much through the night of formula, you will not have enough milk right now to sustain him, but you can slowly cut out an ounce at a time, this is why i say get help to do it...they can give you a supplemental nurser system (SNS), so you can breast feed and give formula at the same time, so you are getting stimulated. I would put your LO to breast for every feed then top him up with the formula if you cant get a SNS. Then slowly cut out formula...you also need to pump for about 1min after each breast feed to increase your supply...

Fenugreek, blessed milk thistle and domperidone are all good drugs/herbals to use and help increase your supply, but you MUST fully empty the breast at each feed to increase the supply....

I ran into this same problem at about 2-3 weeks.....now we are exclusively breast feeding, going on week 6! You can do it!