Supply issue?

Lolalipsy · August 2013

I EBF and until now I always thought I had a good supply; I feed my daughter and manage to stash some from my 1am feed.

Today, however I'm wondering if I have a supply issue. during the witching hour I wondered whether DD was fussing at the breast because she was hungry rather than just overtired so I gave her some expressed milk and she took 4oz (on top of what she had on both breasts).

She never fusses at any other time apart from between 5pm and 7pm. Even then it's rarely a cry just more grunting and thrashing. I just assumed she was tired since she would be closing her eyes seemingly fighting sleep.

I will try giving her more expressed milk tomorrow to see if this was just a one off.

My question is, does this sound like it could be a supply issue to you? Can you run out through the day but have plenty at night? If so, have you found an effective way to increase your supply?

KLJ3 · August 2013

I pump instead of BF, so I can't answer your BFing question. If you do end up having a supply issue, try porridge. My supply dwindled quite rapidly when I dropped pumping sessions, but I was able to turn it around with porridge every morning. (I attribute it to the porridge...nothing else changed during that time.)

jayro10 · August 2013

I second the porridge or oatmeal. It helped me boost my supply when I needed it. Also, avoid cabbage and peppermint tea, as I've heard they can cause a decrease.
We've definitely had times when it's seemed that I've "run out" of milk, even though I know that's not possible. My left breast doesn't produce as much as my right, and if she wants to eat on my left longer than normal, she seems to get frustrated after a while. I put her on the right then, and she seems better.

FmrAFBrat · August 2013

I'm trying to increase my supply. I'm on the minipill and my supply is tanking. I've been drinking lots of water, eating the old fashioned and not instant oatmeal and doing longer pumping sessions. I also just started Reglan this week my doctor perscribed. Fenugreek did not help me.

bumpuser3155624 · August 2013

I also EBF and pump for a small stash and notice that some days my evening feeedings seem lile she doesnt get enough. If i notice that i make sure to up my water intake and also make sure im eating enough. I do also eat oatmeal almost every day.

You could also make lactation cookies. There was a post on the breastfeeding board that had a link to a recipe.

drhibbard · August 2013

Maybe she is upping your supply? Every once in a while LO does this and it seems like my supply increases.

Schell2013 · August 2013

I agree with drinking more water. I would also try burping or maybe changing the diaper, to see if she changes her mind about still thinking she is hungry.