Q about "supply problems" for EBFers

GretchenlovesMichael · August 2009

has anyone who rarely or never pumps noticed a change in supply? i'm wondering how i would notice other than "wow, my babies aren't gaining weight well any more"/"wow, my babies don't pee/poop as much any more"...?

i don't typically worry about it - since i nurse for 100% of feedings, the babies should be keeping my supply where it needs to be. but today at their 4 month appt my pedi eluded to some sort of impending supply problem... he made it sound like it was very common "as babies get bigger."

TIA for any help on this.

otc · August 2009

What in the world is he talking about? Your body adjusts to their needs. I don't personally know anyone who that happened to.

GretchenlovesMichael · August 2009

yeah i thought it sounded like garbage. overall i really do like our pedi, but he has his moments... lol

joecubed · August 2009

I pumped, so I could see the fluctuations. Now I judge it based on how long DS is swallowing. But I probably only pay attention to that because I had to be vigilant with producing X oz per day for so long

Crazycrustacean · August 2009

I was told that at 6 months my supply wouldn't be enough to sustain her. I have never had an issue.

Now that's not to say that she doesn't nurse all the time. If she didn't supplement with solids (and she does skip solids altogether some days) she nurses every 1-2 hours easily. Whereas with solids, it's every 2-4 hours. But she never starves & it's more than enough to sustain her.

I even just got my 1st pp af & have/had an oversupply.

JAWMIN · August 2009

I know kellymom suggest delaying solids, and one of the reasons is suppy. Maybe this is what he is talking about??? This is one of the reasons I'm starting solids SLOWLY because I want to keep my supply for another year!

Also, BFed babies growth slows down around 4-7 months, so maybe he was talking about that?? But that has nothing to do with supply.

goodheartedmommy · August 2009

I don't think it's common. I battled supply problems for a long time in the beginning with Maile (first 5 months or so), but probably because I had 3 very unhealthy pregnancies in 3 years and had previously been nursing for 15 months.

Alirebco · August 2009

I actually stopped pumping around 4 months since it was such a PITA and I didn't need to and never had supply issues. My supply did regulate more around 6 months but DS has always had enough. We're still going strong at 19 months and he nurses 3-4 times a day.

As long as you're still nursing when your twins need it, you should be fine

KKM · August 2009

I had supply problems from the start. We had to suppliment with some formula (1-2 bottles per day) but I was determined and bf until 9.5 months.

Lotte134 · August 2009

JAWMIN:

Also, BFed babies growth slows down around 4-7 months, so maybe he was talking about that?? But that has nothing to do with supply.

This is the only thing I can think of as well. I pump for work so I would certainly know if I had an issue, but I think as long as your LO's are content and having the right amount of wet and poopy diapers you have nothing to worry about! I know supply problems do exist but I honestly think they're a lot more rare than we're led to believe especially if you're EBF.

b&r2006 · August 2009

I only have one, but he's still BFing 4-6 times a day (more frequently with teething pain on certain days) and I haven't had any supply issues. He's happy and healthy (eats plenty of solids, too, but still). I wouldn't worry unless they seem to be nursing constantly AND they don't seem like they're getting enough/ are hungry and unhappy for a longer period of time (so you know it's not a growth spurt).

GretchenlovesMichael · August 2009

thanks so much for your replies ladies!!

Celyn · August 2009

No idea what your ped is talking about. It's quite common for BF kids to start "slipping" on the combined FF/BF charts at 6 months, but if you use the BF exclusive charts, they usually follow the same curve. It has nothing at all to do with supply and has to do with differing feeding habits between FF and BF kids. I've sustained a happy, healthy, developmentally on target 18-month old pretty much on BF alone (EBF to this age was not my choice -- he has only recently been willing to eat solids on a regular basis).

Kellymom suggests delaying solids because BF has more nutrients than pureed foods.

mrs.baum · August 2009

If you EBF, then the only way to know is if your LO isn't gaining weight,is loosing weight, or they aren't having enough wet and poopy diapers. I would talk to a LC or LLL if you are concerned.

mrs.baum · August 2009

b&r2006:
I only have one, but he's still BFing 4-6 times a day (more frequently with teething pain on certain days) and I haven't had any supply issues. He's happy and healthy (eats plenty of solids, too, but still). I wouldn't worry unless they seem to be nursing constantly AND they don't seem like they're getting enough/ are hungry and unhappy for a longer period of time (so you know it's not a growth spurt).

BF frequently isn't a good indicator of supply b/c BM digests very quickly so BF babies need to eat more frequently than FF babies. Also, fussiness isn't a good indicator either b/c there are too many variables at play.

Want a personalized experience?

Q about "supply problems" for EBFers

Re: Q about &quot;supply problems&quot; for EBFers

Choose Another Board

Search Boards

Want a personalized experience?

Q about &quot;supply problems&quot; for EBFers

Re: Q about &amp;quot;supply problems&amp;quot; for EBFers

Choose Another Board

Search Boards

Q about "supply problems" for EBFers

Re: Q about "supply problems" for EBFers