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Breastfeeding
Please help. :(
I posted earlier about supply... and I'm not sure what mine is doing right now.
DS has been crying at the breast ALL day today. He will eat for about three minutes... he initiates the let-down, sucks through the let-down, and then as soon as the flow slows, he seems to start freaking out and won't re-latch. I'll put him on the other side and he'll suckle for a minute or two and do the same thing. So I've had to resort to giving him bottles after his "feedings" today so that he's full, and I resort to pumping to make it seem like he's emptying my breasts.
I haven't produced shiit for breastmilk today. Normally if I pump after a FULL, real feeding where he eats on both sides and pulls himself off, I will produce about .5-1oz per breast. If he's just getting the bottle and not breastfeeding at all, I'll produce 5-6oz total during that pump session. Today after these ridiculous five-minute-total feedings, I'm pumping and getting less than a half ounce on my left and just under 2oz on my right after 15-20 minutes. And it's been the same on both sides ALL day long after his "feedings".
I am FREAKING out now. I don't think I'm producing enough for him and I'm scared shiitless. 
What would cause such a dramatic decrease in supply so suddenly??? He seemed fine yesterday after he ate, and even after his morning feed today actually!
I just want to be able to feed my baby and for him to be happy. I know, I know, stress makes it worse... but I can't help it!! I'm now afraid to let him sleep through the night out of fear that my supply will become even less than it is now because he's sleeping through when he would normally eat. Should I wake him up after a four hour stretch? Should I wake up and pump? What if I wake up to pump and he wakes up twenty minutes later to eat and I have empty breasts? I end up having to give him a bottle and then we're all screwed up. What should I do!?
TIA
Mr. & Mrs. O: Est. 6/27/2009, Jacob Ryan 3/3/2010, Owen Matthew 8/14/2012!
:::In My Life, I've Loved You More:::
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Re: Please help. :(
First, take a deep breath. I wouldn't jump to the conclusion that your supply is on a permanent down swing. Lots of things can trigger a low supply day and it's normal to have fluctuations. Maybe you're going to get a period soon (I got mine at 2 mo. even though I was EBF) or you've been experiencing more stress, less fluid intake, or less sleep. Regardless, one day does not indicate the future of your supply.
It's possible he just had a fussy day. What nipple flow are you using? Make sure its the slowest you can find so that it comes out as slow as possible to mimic bfing so he doesn't get attached to milk coming it at a faster pace. You're doing the right thing to pump anytime you feed him. Your output might be less than usual but that's okay for one (or two or three) day.
I would recommend doing a night pump if he's STTN, more for your peace of mind than for any real concern at this point that you're having low supply. Yes, if he wakes right after you pump, just give him the milk you pumped. You're not 'off' schedule that way - you pumped what he eats so its no different than if he took it straight from you and your body knows that he needed it. Hugs! Try not to get this stressed out. I've had low output days and gotten very concerned before too, but a lot of times it'll rebound on its own so long as you are drinking enough and getting enough sleep.
ditto this.
At1stsight gives the best advice, seriously! I've had supply swings that last 2-3 days and rebounded fine.
It's only been one day, try your best to relax. It's going to be alright!