Please Help! Is there something wrong with my supply?

[AFWife]

My DS is about 2.5 weeks old. Some background: I have a pretty good crack on my right nipple so I've been pumping the past couple of days on that side. I had been nursing through the pain but it wasn't healing (it looks better already) DS has been nursing on the left side and then taking a bottle for the right.

I think he's having a growth spurt or something...He'll nurse anywhere from 20-30mins on the left side (however long it takes to drain me dry) and be okay for 10mins or so...and then he's fussing like he's starving again. So, we'll do a bottle for the right side (usually about 3-4oz) Sometimes he does okay just eating that; but tonight it hasn't been enough. I pumped all that I could and only got 2.5oz out. He ate on the left side and totally drained it and then sucked down what was left in the bottle.

He's pretty content right now, but what do I do when he's hungry again in a few hours? I don't think my supply is replenishing fast enough for him! I got some formula when I left the hospital and I REALLY REALLY don't want to use it, but I'm starting to be afraid I won't have a choice...

Help?

[ErinBird]

Growth spurts can be really tough on you. What you describe is truly classic growth spurt behavior- a baby suddenly switches to a fussy baby who eats and then eats more and then eats more.

If you weren't pumping on one side, you would be just switching sides frequently while your baby boosted your supply and it would last a few days at most. I would adjust your pumping schedule to match the increase in nursing by your son for a few days and to boost your supply on the injured side. Continue to offer the uninjured side very frequently- women can and do nurse with just one breast and since it is simpler, try prolonging the time spent on the uninjured side?

How is your injured nipple doing? If it is healing well, have you considered latching the baby on again and continuing to take steps to aid in healing?

[MCatLvrMom2A&X]

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[AFWife]

Originally Posted by ErinBird

How is your injured nipple doing? If it is healing well, have you considered latching the baby on again and continuing to take steps to aid in healing?

The crack is still there...doing a bit better (it's only been a few days of no nursing) but it's still there. I just keep neosporin on the actual crack and lanolin/aquaphor on the rest of the nipple. I really don't feel comfortable nursing on that side yet...I was going to reevaluate it in another day or so.

So the best thing I can do is just roll with it?