Low supply in early evening?

CommAve07

I am wondering if my supply drops noticably in the early evening.  During our 6 or 7 p.m. feeding, DS seems content at first and then within 45 minutes is screaming for more milk.  He is frustrated and mad on the breast and I end up giving him an ounce in a bottle - rare occasions he wants more and takes another oz.  Then he is good.

Is my supply low at this time of day or is he just extra hungry?  How can you tell and any suggestions to improve?

MrsSmith81

This is normal for BFing moms. Your supply decreases throughout the day, on top of the fact that many babies like to cluster feed in the evening to fill up for their overnight sleep. There really aren't any suggestions I can think of but Kellymom has some good info about this. When I went through this, I remember panicking that my supply had dropped and he wasn't getting anything and gave a bottle a couple of times. My LC strongly discouraged that however so I quit. The cluster feeding does get better and when LO gets older, they get on more of a schedule and your supply steadies to what you need when you need it. GL!

Lotte134

MrsSmith81:

This is normal for BFing moms. Your supply decreases throughout the day, on top of the fact that many babies like to cluster feed in the evening to fill up for their overnight sleep. There really aren't any suggestions I can think of but Kellymom has some good info about this. When I went through this, I remember panicking that my supply had dropped and he wasn't getting anything and gave a bottle a couple of times. My LC strongly discouraged that however so I quit. The cluster feeding does get better and when LO gets older, they get on more of a schedule and your supply steadies to what you need when you need it. GL!

Yup, this exactly.  And I agree try to avoid a bottle - just let your LO nurse as often as he or she needs to.  That will build up your supply.  If you give a bottle then the problem will just get worse.  I remember many, many evenings early on when DS nursed almost constantly.  Now he still nurses a lot at night but at least I get breaks.  It's just his way of tanking up so he can sleep longer at night which is a very good thing in my book!

FriendlyFanny

I will third the previous posts. Evening cluster feeding is normal and you will be thankful later! Get a comfy nursing pillow and relax on the couch with a book or some TV and enjoy your baby!