3 questions - about supply, pumping and position

[Blessed_Mom]

Hi,

In my mind these 3 questions are linked but here I go:

1. Those mamas who have sufficient supply - do you never have low supply days? How do you deal on those days? If you are pretty much EBF-ing that is....

2. My DD is 4 and 1/2 months old. I have never been able to nurse while lying down. I am 34DDD (have to hold my breast and pull it up to nurse). I have always nursed her with the brestfriend so far. Now she has grown too long for it and her li'l butt is hanging out. I am stuffing pillows on the side but due to the difference in height and softness she is squirming and I can tell she is not real comfortable. Which is why she is nursing only when real hungry...else she is fussing or blowing raspberries Also I have noticed that she is now "going" almost every time she nurses (probably due to having to scrunch her tummy a bit). She is , however, not tall enough to sit on my lap and nurse...I am unable to find another position. What can I do? She cannot sleep in my lap and feed....can a LC help me find a position? Who should I contact?

3. This question kind of ties-in. Because she has become easily distractable and fussy (over-active) she has gone back to snack-nursing. This is hurting my supply. But I don't know when to pump. The gap between 2 nursing sessions has come down to 1 and 1/2 hours. If I pump immediately afterwards - then 1 hour doesn't seem like enough time to get a good supply back up when she wants to feed again. If I just let be ....I can feel my boobs making less and less.....I don;t know what to do in this situation.

Please help. Any insights into even 1 question can help me.

[LianneM]

I'm sorry for your stress!

1. Sure, different things can affect supply, especially hormones when mom's cycle returns. When a baby has a growth spurt, suddenly demand is higher than supply, and the baby will want to nurse more. That is your answer - the baby will nurse more. Maybe more often, maybe longer each time. Maybe both. Just watch your baby and offer when baby seems to want it.

2. An LC or LLL leader may be able to help. I would call LLL first since it's free, and maybe see if they have other free resources in your area. (We have local LCs who have free weekly support meetings). You maybe able to use a football hold, or figure out side-lying a different way. It's easiest to help with that kind of thing in person.

3. Why do you feel like your supply is hurting? You're always making milk, even while she's nursing. You don't need to wait for your breasts to "fill up" for her to have enough milk. You may be reaching a point where they don't feel as firm or heavy like they used to, and that's totally normal. As your body adjusts to her needs, you will keep making enough even if you can't physically tell a difference. If she is satisfied, even if it means she nurses more frequently, that is fine. If she has enough wet diapers, that is fine. Pooping several times a day is a positive sign. Unless you have some other reason to think you have a supply issue, I think it sounds like you're just regulating and that is totally normal.

HTH some

[Blessed_Mom]

Originally Posted by LianneM

I'm sorry for your stress!


3. Why do you feel like your supply is hurting? You're always making milk, even while she's nursing. You don't need to wait for your breasts to "fill up" for her to have enough milk. You may be reaching a point where they don't feel as firm or heavy like they used to, and that's totally normal. As your body adjusts to her needs, you will keep making enough even if you can't physically tell a difference. If she is satisfied, even if it means she nurses more frequently, that is fine. If she has enough wet diapers, that is fine. Pooping several times a day is a positive sign. Unless you have some other reason to think you have a supply issue, I think it sounds like you're just regulating and that is totally normal.

HTH some

Thank you for your input. The reason I suspect my supply is getting hurt is because - after her night sleep (usually 5 hours) when she wakes up I squeeze my breasts to see which has less foremilk and seems like has an abundant amount and offer her that. Most everyday my breasts leak lots when I squeeze. The last 3 days - not so much. Also - sometimes she is pulling away before her designated 10 minutes and goes back to sucking her hand (a new thing she has learnt which is also adding to her distraction).

Also - doesn't it stand to reason that if she snack-feeds often and doesn't drain my breasts - my supply will tank? BUT - I am afraid to pump. She usually feeds off of my left and that alone is enough most times. So when she doesn't even touch my right boob - I wonder if I should pump and drain it or let it continue filling up for 4 hours (instead of the 2) and thus be more "ready" for her?

[Blessed_Mom]

I recently ordered a 3-month supply of Dom. haven't touched it and if God helps me - I never want to touch one. BUT - today (since I am especially dejected) - I am wondering if I shouldn't pop in a couple.

Has anyone used Dom that way? Meaning - dosed only on low supply days and not touched it on other days? Somehow I feel I will respond to Dom in a day or two ....and thus maybe if I use it today I may see a difference .....then wean off by the 3rd day....and go on a week or two and again use it on my off days?

I feel I am a 90% supply person.... meaning on most days I make sufficient amount but some days (like a day a week or 2 days in a row after 8-9 days I feel like I don't make enough)

Sorry I am rambling. NAK

[Blessed_Mom]

I am sorry I am all over the place today

[mambera]

It doesn't sound like you have a supply issue at all if the baby is satisfied off of one side at most feedings.

But anyway, if you are trying to increase supply, DON'T wait to fill up. Just pump after feeds. If she's hungry soon after, just put her on the breast. If she isn't satisfied, you can feed her what you just pumped. But waiting to fill up will never do your supply any good (though as I said I'm not sure why you think you have an issue).

[Blessed_Mom]

Originally Posted by mambera

It doesn't sound like you have a supply issue at all if the baby is satisfied off of one side at most feedings.

But anyway, if you are trying to increase supply, DON'T wait to fill up. Just pump after feeds. If she's hungry soon after, just put her on the breast. If she isn't satisfied, you can feed her what you just pumped. But waiting to fill up will never do your supply any good (though as I said I'm not sure why you think you have an issue).

I failed to mention but my left produces about 80% of my total supply so that is what DD mostly feeds off of.

Supplementing is a real issue with her. She has categorically refused all forms of supplementation of late. Earlier she used to take the bottle just fine. Now - she even notices the tube from the lact-aid and spits it out

Some days - like today , I notice her fussing at the breast and not acting "blissed-out" and just know that I am not giving her a good supply. Happens a day a week or 10 days..... don't know why.

[justKate]

Originally Posted by Blessed_Mom

1. Those mamas who have sufficient supply - do you never have low supply days? How do you deal on those days? If you are pretty much EBF-ing that is....

Yes, if I'm dehydrated, sick, or if DD is just especially hungry. I just let DD nurse, and eventually she will get enough to satisfy her. Boobs are amazing, they are always producing, even while being emptied.

2. My DD is 4 and 1/2 months old. I have never been able to nurse while lying down. I am 34DDD (have to hold my breast and pull it up to nurse). I have always nursed her with the brestfriend so far. Now she has grown too long for it and her li'l butt is hanging out. I am stuffing pillows on the side but due to the difference in height and softness she is squirming and I can tell she is not real comfortable. Which is why she is nursing only when real hungry...else she is fussing or blowing raspberries Also I have noticed that she is now "going" almost every time she nurses (probably due to having to scrunch her tummy a bit). She is , however, not tall enough to sit on my lap and nurse...I am unable to find another position. What can I do? She cannot sleep in my lap and feed....can a LC help me find a position? Who should I contact?

I'd try LLL like a PP suggested. There might be a meeting you could attend, and just ask the ladies there. What about sitting cross-legged and cradling her on your legs? If you try side lying, can you take your "top" hand and support the breast in a way that would make it comfortable for her? I just ask b/c my DD (8.5 mos.) resists anything BUT side lying because that's what she's used to. So it might be more that your LO just wants to do it the same way she's accustomed to...

3. This question kind of ties-in. Because she has become easily distractable and fussy (over-active) she has gone back to snack-nursing. This is hurting my supply. But I don't know when to pump. The gap between 2 nursing sessions has come down to 1 and 1/2 hours. If I pump immediately afterwards - then 1 hour doesn't seem like enough time to get a good supply back up when she wants to feed again. If I just let be ....I can feel my boobs making less and less.....I don;t know what to do in this situation.

I failed to mention but my left produces about 80% of my total supply so that is what DD mostly feeds off of.

Pump immediately afterwards anyway. Pump the lower producer DRY. It won't catch up if you don't empty it. There will be milk for your baby when she's hungry. I had an augmentation on one side, and that side always produces less, but you've got to work that side to keep it up.

It sounds to me like you're doing great. If your LO isn't losing weight, your supply is probably mostly where it needs to be. Good luck and let us know how it goes!