Soft breasts = low supply???

vlcoley · June 2012

Hi all -

I am EBFing my 2 month old daughter and within the last day or so my breasts seem to be very soft all day long. Usually in the morning they are really hard and engorged since it so much time has passed (daughter sleeps 6+ hours at once at night) since the last feeding. Then as the day goes by my breasts seem to progressively soften with every feeding. Within the last day or so my breasts seem softer than ususal....even in the morning. My daughter seems to be eating just fine and when she is done, I will try to hand express a drop or two to make sure there is in fact some milk coming out and there always is a small drop (so I know there is something in there).

I have been dealing with an over-supply and forceful let-down so have been trying various methods to fix that. The LC told me I should feed on the same breast for two feedings and then switch so I started that a couple days ago. I am SO not used to my breasts being soft because they are usually jam packed full of milk....maybe my supply has evened itself out? Or should I be concerned that supply has severely decreased because my breasts are so soft?

jamdv3 · June 2012

Most likely, your supply sounds like it's been established and it's no longer out of whack. I don't think you have anything to worry about--i think my boobs felt fuller in the morning, but they stopped getting that hard as rocks feel after a couple months. And it's normal for them to get softer during the day, as your supply gets a bit lower. Just make sure you are getting enough to drink and eat, and as long as your LO seems satisfied, I think your supply is just fine.

Just know that sometimes things affect supply, and it's okay--your period might return (although 2 months PP seems early) maybe you started exercising, increase in stress, etc, and this is normal and very fixable.

If you have a pump or can borrow one from someone then you can always pump right before you'd normally nurse just to see if you are getting a decent amount, I'd say 3-4 oz for a 2 month old. HTH.

drcolleen · June 2012

It's normal for supply to regulate and not longer be engorged and many stop feeling let downs. Unless LO is telling you that there is a problem there probably isn't. I won't bother pumping, unless you are a regular pumper output means nothing, there are many women who BF for years and are never able to let down to a pump.

celiabwatson · June 2012

I'm tandem nursing and have huge kids. I know there's plenty of milk in there but my breasts are super soft now. They've been stretched out from being engorged when each child was born, but now we're evened out and soft as beanbags. It's purely a supply and demand system now. I make what they need when they need it.