I'm having a bit of hard time right now. My son is a bit over 2 weeks old, I have been breastfeeding him constantly (no pumping or giving him pacifier or etc) but it seems like my milk is starting to dry up?? My son used to be able to go 2 hours during days and 3 hours at nights.. but now he's every hour during days and 2 at nights. My breast doesn't feel full at all!! It feels like its empty. It also is really sore (not the nipple, but the whole breast). What's going on? I have tried to talk to LC but they refuse to answer my phone calls or anything! I really don't want my son to be on formula!
2012-09-14T16:53:22Z
No I meant 2 hours in between of feeding. He only eats 10 minutes on each breast
Ellen2012-09-14T18:01:27Z
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You are not losing your milk, and your breasts are not empty. Your baby is going through a growth spurt and wants to eat more frequently. And this frequency will increase your milk supply.
Please don't listen to all this nonsense about feeding on one side per feeding and hindmilk being more nutritious than foremilk.. Breastmilk is breastmilk, and it is all nutritious and your baby can grow and thrive on it.
For more information on the normal course of breastfeeding, check kellymom.com and La Leche League website.
It's pretty much normal for baby to want to be on the breast all the time right now. You want it this way because then baby will be getting full and it's going to be the best way to increase your production. I would make myself a cozy place to breastfeed and just breastfeed away. It's normal for your breasts to go soft after a few weeks.
The only thing that has increased my milk production is herbs. Try Breastea from http://www.breastea.com and drink daily. I've literally increased my milk supply by the ounces since I've started it. I have been drinking it for awhile because I have low milk supply.
let him feed off one breast at each feed, don't swap breasts inbetween one feed. The milk further back in your breast contains more fat and will keep him satisfied for longer, the first amount of milk is just as good but waterbased and will go straight through him. Get him to drink more hindmilk.
If your whole breast itself is sore...maybe he's not latching properly and your milk might be drying up or even mastitis? Go to a breastfeeding specialist or call breastfeeding specialists online, I think one major website is called la leche league or something? If you're in the uk you can chat online on cowandgate.co.uk to experts and they guide you. You can call them also.
Ther is no such thing as breastfeeding your child too much. He is probably drinking more thats why your breasts are getting emptier. He is feeding more because his stomach is growing. So long as your baby is getting bigger and gaining weight he is getting enough milk. Good luck.
I certainly agree that you should only let him nurse on ONE breast per feeding - as the other person said, the hindmilk is the most nutritious kind of breastmilk, and he does not get to it if he is only for 10 minutes.
stress and caffiene may also effect supply, as well as you not drinking enough fluids. try these things first, one breast per feeding, drink more water, less caffeine, and try to reduce stress. and do continue to try and contact a lactation specialist so hopefully you can finally get thru. dont give up!! good luck!