Keeping supply

[JTA Mom]

I've been struggling with PPD and severe anxiety for the last few weeks. I just this week got put on some medication for it.

Part of my 'recovery' plan is getting sleep. As much as I can. My mom has taken over all night feedings for the past 3 nights. Tonight I am going to trial keeping him next to me and bf during the night.

Now the thing is that I want to get stabilized. This might take a week or two of some intensive stuff (which I am starting/doing). If tonight's trial doesn't go well (aka I need more sleep), what can I do to keep my supply up during this time?

The last 3 mornings I pumped upon waking, then fed him the rest of the day, until about 11pm. So from about 11pm to 9 am, no bf.

Please, no flames. I am trying to get my mind into the best place possible, but I really want to be able to keep breastfeeding. Any tips would be greatly appreciated.

Ami

[PatioGardener]

Best wishes as you work to stabilize things. You are a strong woman!

If you find that you wake naturally at night, you may want to try to take that time to feed baby. Many will feed even though they are asleep. That will help with your supply, as a feed between 1 am and 5 am helps to bump your supply.

If that is not happening, and you are sleeping right through, then spending as much time skin-to-skin with baby during the day will help your supply. Breastfeeding on cue, and even before baby is hungry may help to increase feeds during the day and maybe just maybe decrease the number of times he feeds at night.

Are you able to pump enough to feed him breastmilk exclusively at night? That pumping will help your supply too. Some mamas find that pumping while feeding the baby (that is, feed on one side and pump the other) can be really productive.

I'm sure more mamas here will have more ideas that may work for you. I always like to have many ideas and then choose the ones that I think will work for me and my little guy.

Hang in there, Mama! You can do this.

[PatioGardener]

How is it going, Mama?

[JTA Mom]

Thank you, PatioGardener!

The trial went well. Currently still co-sleeping with the little one. Oddly enough, I feel more rested with him there than without him. Maybe my body just gets anxious knowing my baby isn't nearby? Who knows.

During the morning pumps, I am able to get about 4-6 oz, which is pretty good, but he eats a TON. He can finish a 4oz bottle every 3 hours. I don't think he is being overfed either, because even when I was exclusively breastfeeding him without bottles, he was gaining 1lb a week! He's a hungry monkey.

I am doing a bit better though. One day at a time, but today was better than yesterday, which was better than the day before.

Ami

[PatioGardener]

Great to hear! I totally understand about cosleeping and decreased anxiety. I think that our mama brains/bodies are hardwired to have our little ones within touching distance! I sleep much better is my guy is right next to me too.

Wishing you each day a little better than the last