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Drop in Supply- When to worry?

StefB28StefB28 member
in Breastfeeding

I'm only 3 weeks pp, but my supply has been great so far. Up until three days ago, I was feeding LO approximately 8x/day and pumping around 8-10oz between a morning and afternoon pumping session. My right breast has always produced less than my left, but now both breasts seem to be producing less (when I pump anyway).

Usually, in the mornings, I get around 5 oz (combined). I've noticed that it's been a little less the past few days. This morning, I only got 2.5 oz. I'm eating oatmeal, drinking water, etc. I know that supply can fluctuate from day to day & pumping session to pumping session... but when should I start to worry and take other steps?

A few days ago I was concerned about the right side, but feared that something like Fenugreek might result in an oversupply on the left side-- now I'm just worried about making enough milk to feed my baby!

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Re: Drop in Supply- When to worry?

  • Jilybean17Jilybean17 member
    Is your LO having enough wet diapers? As long as this is the case and your LO is gaining well there is no reason to worry. Your supply is still regulating itself and will be until around 10-12 weeks. Are you pumping after nursing? Or are you EPing?  If you are EBF and don't plan to be away from the baby anytime soon, I wouldn't worry about pumping. Just nurse on demand and you will be fine! :)
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  • teamsweetteamsweet member
    I wouldn't worry - your hormones are regulating and you'll pump less during the days your LO is nursing more.  Don't worry - your lo is getting enough to eat by nursing on demand.  Counting wet diapers can be reassuring too.
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  • StefB28StefB28 member

    imageJilybean17:
    Is your LO having enough wet diapers? As long as this is the case and your LO is gaining well there is no reason to worry. Your supply is still regulating itself and will be until around 10-12 weeks. Are you pumping after nursing? Or are you EPing?  If you are EBF and don't plan to be away from the baby anytime soon, I wouldn't worry about pumping. Just nurse on demand and you will be fine! :)

    Plenty of wet & dirty diapers, so I'm certain he's getting enough to eat right now-- was just concerned about the future. I'm EBF, just pumping after two nursing sessions a day to try to build a freezer stash and DH gives him a bottle of pumped milk each night around midnight. I'll be going back to work part-time at the end of the year, but not for a while!

     

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  • mjclevemjcleve member
    You're pumping a LOT of extra milk for that age which isn't always a great thing.  I wouldn't worry about it.  He's probably going through a 3 week growth spurt and therefore drinking more when he nurses leaving less for you to pump.
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  • StefB28StefB28 member

    That's a good point-- I have been pumping a lot more than he needs. The goal was just to get enough to put some in the freezer each day and have some for the evening bottle. I guess I was thinking that it would be easier to decrease my supply if needed, rather than try to increase it.

    He definitely might be going through a growth spurt right now-- he's been eating more often the past few days, and DH said that last night he sucked down a 4oz bottle-- at least an ounce more than he usually eats!

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  • cindyhowcindyhow

    It's very easy for babies to drink "more" from a bottle, make sure to use a slow flow nipple and pace feedings - ie take pauses while bottle feeding so baby realizes fullness!

    oversupply can lead to clogged ducts and they are painful so be careful to not over pump, or if you are scaling back from the pump do it slowly!

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  • avblissavbliss member
    Sounds like LO is growth spurting and drinking more of your supply so you don't have as much to pump. Keep doing what you're doing and it will adjust to LO's increased demands. Keep in mind growth spurts happen at 3weeks, 6 weeks, 3 months and 6 months.
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