Milk supply low, what do I do ?

Question

My baby is 3 weeks old and the past two days I have noticed that when I go to breastfeed him which is every two hours on demand only a few drops of milk come out and he crys so I switch to the other side and same thing. I am drinking fluids and not getting much sleep but that's pretty common being a new mom with a newborn. I'm not sure what to do I feel horrible because he crys being hungry. I try to express milk but nothing comes out. I am not pumping my milk into bottles strictly only breast so do any breastfeeding moms know what may be going on? Also in the past 24hours my breast will still let down but not much and not for very long then it just stops.

Answer 1

I agree. Do a bit Massage of your b*****s as well as some arm shower direct on your Breast. and keep on feeding, as long as you could. As its your first time and some ladies do get problems in Weaning. you will be ok soon

Answer 2

if worse comes to worse give your baby the formula

Answer 3

I had the same problem, right from the time my baby was born. I started using formula as a 'top up' AFTER breastfeeding. That way my baby got as much breast milk as I could provide, my body got the stimulus to keep producing, and my baby was contented. Now 5 months down, I feel this has helped me in any number of ways:

- no nipple confusion, my baby feeds equally well at the breast or bottle

- really easy to be out and about

- baby's digestion is used to the thinner breastmilk as well as the richer formula, so easier to wean

- my body has (finally) adapted to my baby's needs and I can eliminate formula altogether now if I want

- baby growing healthy and happy

By the way, do try the other suggestions on this page (massage, warm bath etc) - I found they helped. In addition, try adding fenugreek seeds and cumin seeds in some form or other in your food. Fenugreek doesn't taste great but it is supposed to be great for promoting breastmilk production.

Do stock up on Infacol, gripe water etc as formula in initial stages does make the baby quite windy.  

Answer 4

Warm towels/rags and massage can help with this.  I know you want to breastfeed, but the most important thing is that your baby gets what he needs.  Try some of the things listed and if it doesn't work pretty quick, then buy some formula and try rotating between breast milk and formula for a few days.

Answer 5

Your b*****s might be adjusting to feeding your baby. Yes of course your baby is hungry, but expressing can be difficult and the baby does a better job of getting the milk out. How is your baby after the feeding? Is he settled, satisfied or still cranky and irritable? You could go to a health food shop and get fenugreek which can help with milk supply. Drink and eat too, rest when you can. You also need to keep feeding your baby, the more he feeds the more your body gets the idea that milk needs to be made. Also watch your weight loss, the fat stores you put on over your pregnancy help with the milk production, if you have lost a lot of weight quickly you can affect your milk supply.

Breast feeding does come with many challenges and this is one of yours Hun.

Answer 6

There is no way to tell how much milk you are producing, as when the baby sucks, you can't see what he is taking in. Expressing your milk via breast pumps does not give you an accurate indication of how much milk you are producing.

I have tried breast pumps, and nothing much comes out. I have used both Medela and Avent breast pumps, electric and manual.

However, when my baby drinks, he drinks plenty. My baby is nearly 4 months old, and he has been exclusively breastfed, no formula or anything!

The trick with breastfeeding, is the more you do it, the greater is your supply. Just keep doing it, and your supply will increase.

Your baby might have gas, that may be why he is crying. To burp him properly, put him over your shoulder, and with your right hand, rub from down to up, between his shoulder blades. Do this repeatedly for 5 minutes.

When babies are 3 weeks old, they cry alot. My baby cried non stop from about week 2 to about week 6.

Just keep perservering.

If you are worried about your milk supply, use a pump to stimulate your b*****s to produce more milk. You can do this after he has finished feeding.

The more you do, the more milk will come!

Of course, keep hydrated, and eating lots of calcium (milk and yoghurt help) and a balanced diet, including plenty of fruit, vegetables, and protein.

Answer 7

a warm shower helps your milk come on better and also the more you feed the more milk you produce so maybe try to express with an electric expresser thingy if you havent already. its worth trying to keep your milk supply flowing cause breast is so much easier lol you can take them anywhere, they are always warm and you dont have to add any formula. doing formula and breast is also great. is he latching on properly?