https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Thu, 14 May 2026 18:25:44 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/breastfeeding-is-my-supply-low#post-2716697 Mon, 27 Mar 2017 09:52:36 +0000 snowjewelz 2716697@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Sounds totally normal. In these early weeks it's hard to get much with pumping. I think if you're just doing it to stimulate then don't worry about what's coming out. </p> <p>In those newborn days they are often too sleepy to eat so make sure you wake him up to actively suck! Are you able to tell when he's drinking/sucking or sleeping/sucking? You can take off his clothes, tickle him, etc. </p> <p>Don't feel guilty if you have to supplement just for peace of mind in the beginning! </p> <p>Has LC checked for any tongue/lip ties? I assume they said latch was good? Also if you want to, you can ask to do a weighted feed to see exactly how much he's drinking. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/breastfeeding-is-my-supply-low#post-2716566 Mon, 27 Mar 2017 01:03:15 +0000 agold 2716566@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Pollywog: side question - why are months 8-10 of pumping brutal??! im coming up on that timeframe quick! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/breastfeeding-is-my-supply-low#post-2716552 Sun, 26 Mar 2017 21:43:17 +0000 Weswife 2716552@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@PixieStix: @maddyz: this is exactly what we have been doing! I basically take breaks to pee! And since the husband is home he has been amazing and bringing me food, drinks, holding the baby for only minutes (poor daddy) and getting me anything I need. I am lucky to have him supporting me through this. But he wants little mister to be on breast milk just as much as I do! Thanks for all the support ladies!!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/breastfeeding-is-my-supply-low#post-2716541 Sun, 26 Mar 2017 20:18:14 +0000 maddyz 2716541@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Get comfy, put your feet up, surround yourself with snacks and water and watch a season of whatever while baby goes from one side to the other and back again with little naps in between. There were days I don't think I got off the sofa, super nurse-a-thons are just what baby and mom need and not a sign that anything is bad. Their bellies are so little they need to constantly nibble.</p> <p>You totally have this </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/breastfeeding-is-my-supply-low#post-2716522 Sun, 26 Mar 2017 19:39:32 +0000 PixieStix 2716522@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Weswife: Did your lc say anything about if she thought your supply was low or ok? </p> <p>Also noting that i never felt a let down either, and i did pump and breastfeed.</p> <p>Keep going, you are doing great. Remember that you cant spoil baby and letting baby nom on you for a long time is ok! Dont ever let anyone make you feel like you cant let baby suckle when he wants, even if he isnt feeding. You are an amazing mom to do all of this for him. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/breastfeeding-is-my-supply-low#post-2716516 Sun, 26 Mar 2017 19:28:04 +0000 agold 2716516@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Ditto re: the advice from @Ajsmommy: . Keep. Nursing. That. Baby. Stick with it even through the cluster feeds. Good luck! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/breastfeeding-is-my-supply-low#post-2716505 Sun, 26 Mar 2017 18:52:09 +0000 Weswife 2716505@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Kemma: so we have been able to cut it down to only a ounce of formula at night as of yesterday. So far today just boob milk... so we are doing good and he gets it from this contraption the LC gave us. We put a little tube over my boob so he stimulates production but gets formula at the same time. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/breastfeeding-is-my-supply-low#post-2716417 Sun, 26 Mar 2017 12:49:21 +0000 Kemma 2716417@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Weswife: how many ounces are you supplementing with and how are you doing so? Is it possible that baby's being a wee bit lazy because he is getting the extra milk? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/breastfeeding-is-my-supply-low#post-2716411 Sun, 26 Mar 2017 12:35:30 +0000 JenGirl 2716411@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>It sounds like you're doing everything right. Make sure to get LOTS of water and make sure you're eating enough, especially carbs and fats.</p> <p>The pumping is great, even if you don't get anything. The stimulation is good. And I always have to do lots of breast compressions along with pumping to get anything out.</p> <p>Hang in there mama! You can do this! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/breastfeeding-is-my-supply-low#post-2716408 Sun, 26 Mar 2017 12:05:49 +0000 MrsADS 2716408@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@weswife I don't think I really felt a letdown until my son was a bit older - maybe 3-4 months. The first few months, the milk just came out. And I had a crazy huge oversupply. So I don't think feeling or not feeling a let down means anything this early on. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/breastfeeding-is-my-supply-low#post-2716407 Sun, 26 Mar 2017 12:04:55 +0000 Pollywog 2716407@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Weswife: That's so awesome (and exhausting!) My MIL was a nurse/child birth educator who has nursed 6 kids. She claims the first 3 weeks are hell, the next 3 are tough, then it gets progressively easier until your kid throws you a curve ball. I've found that to be so true (unless you are pumping while working. Months 8-10 of pumping are brutal). If you can just hang on a few more days it will start to get much easier. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/breastfeeding-is-my-supply-low#post-2716405 Sun, 26 Mar 2017 12:01:00 +0000 Pollywog 2716405@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Oh, and I have never felt a letdown while nursing. I occasionally will feel it pumping, but don't freak out of you can't feel it. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/breastfeeding-is-my-supply-low#post-2716402 Sun, 26 Mar 2017 11:50:27 +0000 Weswife 2716402@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Pollywog: he doesn't have any ties! And he has a great latch! And he is on the boob constantly! Last night from 9pm-3am!!!! Omg </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/breastfeeding-is-my-supply-low#post-2716399 Sun, 26 Mar 2017 11:48:52 +0000 Weswife 2716399@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MrsADS: yes we have one this Wednesday! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/breastfeeding-is-my-supply-low#post-2716397 Sun, 26 Mar 2017 11:47:21 +0000 Pollywog 2716397@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Weswife: Here's my advice -- you are doing everything right. Keep feeding whenever he wants, even if he ate 5 minutes ago. If he's given you a 30 minute break, pump. Better yet, get him on the boob. Have him use you as a pacifier. And have someone make you oatmeal cookies and eat the whole batch. You need 3000+ calories right now. </p> <p>If you pump, don't expect to get more than an ounce and don't worry that you'll have no milk for him. Pumping is an acquired skill and there's no way you'll get all the milk out. Even at 13.5 months, my toddler can get plenty of milk out directly after I pump. </p> <p>Also, see if your ped it LC can do weight checks every 48 hours. That way if something is really off, they'll know soon. </p> <p>Lastly, ask the ped and lc to check for a lip tie and tongue tie. They missed my nieces and it causes so many feeding problems (but it is such an easy fix)<br /> Good luck! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/breastfeeding-is-my-supply-low#post-2716396 Sun, 26 Mar 2017 11:39:52 +0000 MrsADS 2716396@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@weswife I would really try to schedule a full weighted feed with the LC so you can see how much he is transferring. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/breastfeeding-is-my-supply-low#post-2716395 Sun, 26 Mar 2017 11:36:38 +0000 Weswife 2716395@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@PixieStix: yes we have been distracting but it's so hard not to focus on it! 😩</p> <p>@PixieStix: say anything about my supply in what sense? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/breastfeeding-is-my-supply-low#post-2716394 Sun, 26 Mar 2017 11:32:22 +0000 Weswife 2716394@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Boopers: so yes at the weighted feeding three days ago I transferred 1/2 ounce to him, but it wasn't in a full feeding we had to cut the session short for our ped appt. and this let down thing I don't understand at all!!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/breastfeeding-is-my-supply-low#post-2716392 Sun, 26 Mar 2017 11:15:19 +0000 Ajsmommy 2716392@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm going to comment although my experience is different.... But I'm a huge believer of keeping the baby on your boob to stimulate production. My son was in the hospital on life support from day 10-day 15 and my supply tanked (probably from the stress and also from not nursing....). I was pumping and I was lucky to get an ounce TOTAL from both breasts. I was very worried. </p> <p>He came off live support and we began nursing again. And no joke he was on my boobs probably 22 hrs the first day. It was so draining but it worked! My supply came back and we're all good now </p> <p>My advice would be to keep baby on boob as much as possible to help the production. As for the laziness I can't help but looks like pp 's have.</p> <p>Good luck. And hang in there!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/breastfeeding-is-my-supply-low#post-2716361 Sun, 26 Mar 2017 08:44:41 +0000 Shantuck 2716361@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I had the same issues accompanied by poor weight gain. My pediatrician had me attempting to start every feed by breastfeeding and then I'd pump while the baby got a couple ounces of breastmilk or formula. According to her, the sleepiness is a result of dehydration and not enough food and it can be a tough cycle to break. I was told to wake to feed every two hours but could do 3 hour stretches at night. Once we saw her starting to gain, I started supplementing/pumping after feeds every other time. After her weight still seemed to be steadily increasing I was told I could stop supplementing. I was doing weight checks like twice a week until we got to that point and my baby was probably a month old at that point. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/breastfeeding-is-my-supply-low#post-2716341 Sun, 26 Mar 2017 07:04:13 +0000 erinbaderin 2716341@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I found fenugreek and blessed thistle made a huge difference in my supply. Sounds like you're doing everything you can think of and are so dedicated to making sure your baby is happy and fed, way to go! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/breastfeeding-is-my-supply-low#post-2716338 Sun, 26 Mar 2017 04:52:20 +0000 tiramisu 2716338@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Weswife: My first DD was an extremely sleepy newborn, similar to how you describe your son. I tried taking off her clothes, putting a cool washcloth on her, etc. often to no avail. I think she wasnt effectively breastfeeding and i wasnt consistently pumping so my milk didnt really pick up till about 4-5 weeks in. I'd breastfeed as much as possible and if she still seemed hungry, I'd offer an ounce or two of formula. This was maybe once a day. I tried pumping more often and taking fenugreek and by 5 weeks I no longer had to supplement with formula at all and didnt need fenugreek anymore either. It sounds like you're doing a great job. Sometimes milk just takes a little longer to fully come in. But until mine really came in, my DD was way happier when i supplemented if she was still hungry. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/breastfeeding-is-my-supply-low#post-2716181 Sat, 25 Mar 2017 12:52:00 +0000 Boopers 2716181@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Did your LC do a weighted feeding? It would give you a good idea of how much your LO is eating during a session. </p> <p>Do you feel yourself having letdowns when nursing or pumping? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/breastfeeding-is-my-supply-low#post-2716175 Sat, 25 Mar 2017 12:24:16 +0000 PixieStix 2716175@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Oh, also, try to distract yourself while you pump. I've heard you can stress yourself out if you're too focused on what's coming out. Read or watch TV while you do it. There's also hands free pumping bras on amazon and such. </p> <p>I think I had over supply when breastfeeding N and he would fuss and cry after feedings, even though I know he got enough. So it really happens to a lot of us moms. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/breastfeeding-is-my-supply-low#post-2716149 Sat, 25 Mar 2017 10:54:00 +0000 Mrs. Pajamas 2716149@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>This seems totally normal. I can so relate to your frustration because I had the exact same experience with DD 2 years ago. Your milk just might be coming in slowly. Continue what you are doing and don't give up. The 2-3 week mark was a huge turning point for me. I think my lc gave me the goal that if I pumped 2 Oz total that was plenty for baby at that age. The more you try with baby and Continue to pump after a feeding will help so much with your supply. It sucks but is worth it in the end. Try harder to wake him up to continue feeding. We used frozen peas on dd and stripped her down to a diaper! Flick his feet or whatever you need to do. He is super sleepy but needs to eat! You're doing a great job hang in there!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/breastfeeding-is-my-supply-low#post-2716103 Sat, 25 Mar 2017 06:57:04 +0000 PixieStix 2716103@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>To me, it sounds like you're doing everything right. Pumping, taking things to help increase supply, etc. I wonder if your son may be currently in a growth spurt where he wants/needs more milk? I've heard that when babies are doing that they can get fussy after feeds, like they didn't get enough, yet they are satiated. I'd for sure keep working with your lactation consultant, and maybe even go to a breastfeeding support group in your area if you have one and can get to it (that helped us a lot).</p> <p>For the laziness: we had the same issue with our son falling asleep on the boob. I was told by our LC that we could undress him and get him in just a diaper to make him a little more "awake" so he'd be alert for the feedings. Maybe even pick him up and sing/talk to him to get his attention?</p> <p>BTW did your LC say anything about your supply? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/breastfeeding-is-my-supply-low#post-2716101 Sat, 25 Mar 2017 06:50:00 +0000 Weswife 2716101@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Ok so let me give everyone the breakdown... our son was born on 3/17 so he is now 7 days old. We started off this breastfeeding journey with instant breastfeeding immediately after birth. We breastfeed in the hospital and followed nurses orders. Baby was 9lbs. 10oz at birth and upon discharge day was down to 9.2. So we were still in the staff zone. We came home and continued to exclusively breastfeed and I just followed his cues. If he rooted we fed. The day after discharge I knew he wasn't ok so we went to see a lactation consultant who told us he was down to 8.12... basically he was not getting enough and we should supplement! This broke my heart but I didn't want to starve my son. So since we have continued to breastfeed at every feeding and supplement if he still acts hungry. We have met with the lactation consultant again and he is up to 9.3. My current concerns are: I know my milk is now in, but it seems that he is never full after just breastfeeding. I am pumping as well just to stimulate to tell my boobs I need more milk but I can't hardly pump anything. The most I have had is 1 oz between both breasts after 30 mins and it's only happened once. All other tims I can't even get 20 ml. He's also extremely lazy when nursing... insta sleep! I have to move him all the time. Any pointers or tips! Both my husband and I would love to get him off formula and to be able to pump for when my boobs are not available! I also am taking a supplement to help with milk production, drinking a lactation smoothie daily as of yesterday with brewers yeast and eating lots of oatmeal!!!!</p> <p>Does it sound like my supply is low? Or are we just doing something wrong? </p>