Talk to me about supply the second time around

[konayossie]

I'm just wondering if I can expect my supply to be somewhat larger the second time. I never had "supply problems" as such, but I also had a baby who refused to take a bottle at dc when he started at 5 mos, so the fact I only pumped about 3-4 oz./day didn't force us to supplement. Additionally, DS was tiny to start with and remained in the 1%. sometimes i worry my supply is the cause of his smallness. (probably this is irrational but still something i worry about). I'm going to have to return to work sooner with #2 and the worry about having enough is setting in.

[anjsmama]

I had somewhat of an undersupply with #1 and stopped breastfeeding at 4 mo due to lack of knowledge and support. #2 is 5.5 months now and I am STILL fighting off oversupply. Also, my DS was very, very small (born 4 lb 11 oz and took 2 years to catch his peers), and my DD is huge! An adorable 19 lb even right now . Anyway just saying that every child is different, and your supply will be different with each one, and it will change based on how you control it. If you plan to return to work early, you may consider pumping once a day in addition to (not in place of) nursing on demand in the early weeks - both to start a storage stash and keep your body used to the idea of producing for the pump. Best wishes!

[konayossie]

This makes me so happy to hear, anjsmama! Sounds like our DSs were just about the same size. I can't even fathom a 19-lb 5 month-old! DS only weighs 24 lbs at over 2 years!
 

I will definitely be working on pumping early with the new bb. I did try with DS1, but he was literally on the boob most of our waking hours due to reflux and high needs, so I had no free boob times and wasn't skilled enough to nurse and pump by myself at the same time.

Originally Posted by anjsmama 

I had somewhat of an undersupply with #1 and stopped breastfeeding at 4 mo due to lack of knowledge and support. #2 is 5.5 months now and I am STILL fighting off oversupply. Also, my DS was very, very small (born 4 lb 11 oz and took 2 years to catch his peers), and my DD is huge! An adorable 19 lb even right now . Anyway just saying that every child is different, and your supply will be different with each one, and it will change based on how you control it. If you plan to return to work early, you may consider pumping once a day in addition to (not in place of) nursing on demand in the early weeks - both to start a storage stash and keep your body used to the idea of producing for the pump. Best wishes!