How do you know if your supply drops?

LittleDucky

I started Weight Watchers last week and I know that dieting can cause low supply, although Weight Watchers specifically gives more points to breastfeeding moms.  Regardless, I've been trying to pay attention to whether my supply seems to have dropped so I can up my calories if necessary.

But - how can you tell if your supply has dropped?  DS has been wanting to nurse more frequently the past few days.  Could that be because my supply has dropped?  He still goes a longer time at night (4-6 hours) but during the day lately he wants to eat every two hours.  It could also just be the six week growth spurt and have nothing to do with my supply.

I'm EBFing and haven't been pumping much at all (maybe a couple times a week to start a freezer stash) so I have no way to know how much I produced before compared to now.  Are there any other ways to know if my supply has dropped? 

ETA:  I forgot to mention that DS has also been somewhat fussy at the breast the past few days.  It's nothing too bad, but I wonder if it could be related.  Again, this could be because of a growth spurt, too...

SnoopyLuv

I wouldnt immediately think your supply has dropped, sounds like the 6 week growth spurt for me.

Honestly though, some days Josie nurses every 1 1/2 hrs, and sometimes every 3. It's all going to depend and there has not seemed to be any pattern to when she wants to eat day to day. Just like we have days we eat more or less, they do too.

I have seen a few of your posts and while I understand you want to do the best for your LO, I think you need to breathe and relax, you are doing fine!

Around 6 weeks Josie would SCREAM at the breast for a few days, it went away and I noticed that other's LO's around her age were all doing the same thing. Again as long as he is having enough diapers you are fine. Just relax and enjoy it!

LittleDucky

SnoopyLuv:

I wouldnt immediately think your supply has dropped, sounds like the 6 week growth spurt for me.

Honestly though, some days Josie nurses every 1 1/2 hrs, and sometimes every 3. It's all going to depend and there has not seemed to be any pattern to when she wants to eat day to day. Just like we have days we eat more or less, they do too.

I have seen a few of your posts and while I understand you want to do the best for your LO, I think you need to breathe and relax, you are doing fine!

Around 6 weeks Josie would SCREAM at the breast for a few days, it went away and I noticed that other's LO's around her age were all doing the same thing. Again as long as he is having enough diapers you are fine. Just relax and enjoy it!

You're right, I'm sure I probably am overthinking this a bit. I don't really think I have a low (or lower) supply, I just was wondering how I would know since I've heard people talk about their supplies dropping.  I guess DS would find a way to let me know if he wasn't getting enough to eat!

WinesNotWhines

One way to tell is if you pump and you start pumping less, but if you never pump, it may be hard to tell.