[Ryatt]

if you have an adequate milk supply? DS is going on 10 months and I'm starting to get nervous that my supply is not good enough for him. First clue, he dropped off the weight chart at his last WBV. That in and of itself did not raise a red flag, because he's always been on the small side, 25% or less, and our doc, who is very cool, holistic, open minded, etc., agreed that we shouldn't worry about it. But next, I realized that recently, I have hardly been noticing let down at all. And then I started readig that one reason for frequent night waking is because your baby might not be getting enough milk during the day, due to insufficient supply. DS still wakes up every two hours (if he even goes that long) to nurse, and he will NOT go back to sleep with out nursing. He is able to fall asleep without nursing during the day. For example, if we go for a walk, and I'm wearing him, if I'm doing the dishes or some other busy work, or if we go for a ride in the car, he'll fall asleep. So it seems that with all the night waking, he really does need to nurse to fill his tummy, and not just to be comforted back to sleep. Also, he can really pack away the food, even if he has just nursed. If he is EBF, how can I tell if he's getting enough milk from me?

Also, if my supply is not adequate, any thoughts on how to boost it? I have preggie tea with raspberry leaf and nettles in it that I haven't been drinking just because I don't love the flavor, and I've also heard that beer is good for your supply. Any thoughts?

 

[MountainMamaGC]

I find beer works great. Even just half a beer and my breasts get really heavy. I hear eating oatmeal works great too.

 

[Carita]

its been a long time since i have had a let down - i only get them at the end of the work day when i am engorged, but it is normal i think, once your supply is regulated and your son is demanding less! My DS started crawling around 9 mo, and just like the doc said, his weight did not keep increasing at its former pace. Instead, he grew up and thinned out. Then with walking he thinned out even more. So in the last 6 months, he has only gained maybe 2 lbs! but this is totally normal my doc says, and when I look to the WHO baby growth charts for mostly BFed babies, he seems to follow those much better. And DS has always been a night nurser (though i chalk that up to reverse cycling becuase I WOH)

But if you want to boost your supply, oatmeal, good fats, good hydration, beer, milk maid tea... etc.! g/l! and don't worry! worry decreases supply

 

[Ryatt]

Ahhh. Thank you so much! I feel tons better now. I may just go have a beer!

I haven't had adrink since I found out I was pg. I've been avoiding alcohol because we've had so many sleeping issues, I was concerned that it would not bode well for DS. But let me tell you, I've been ready for a while now!

 

[PatioGardener]

Try the WHO chart for boys: http://www.who.int/childgrowth/stand...boys_p_0_2.pdf You'll likely find that he is following a totally normal curve!

Also, a good nursing weekend where you snuggle up in bed and spend a lot of time skin-to-skin can do wonders to bump up supply.

 

[Twinklefae]

Oatmeal for breakfast can help too (does wonders for me!)

I agree though, that it doesn't really sound to me like anything is wrong. It sounds more like a growth spurt/teething.

 

[Ryatt]

Thanks again! I like the sound of a snuggly nursing weekend!