Breasts feel empty

AbbySeiden · July 2014

I have been exclusively breast-feeding my newborn for the last three weeks. Occasionally supplementing meetings with some milk. Lately especially in the evening my breasts feel so empty and my little one seems so hungry even after feeding at both sides for 20 mins each. He's good at latching and when my breasts are full I can see and feel him sucking and swallowing efficienty, but in the evenings when I feel empty he chews and it takes forever. I still wake up in the mornings feeling engorged so why at night am I empty? It's especially frustrating because often this is when he wants to cluster feed! Help

flockofmoosen3 · July 2014

Also stay very hydrated throughout the day. That may help your supply stay good for the evenings.

ncbelle · July 2014

LalaMama81 said:

Stop supplementing. It is normal to have less milk in the evenings and more in the mornings. What will signal your body to make more is to let him nurse. Let him nurse longer than 20 min. Or go less time between sessions. Let him cluster feed. 3 weeks is also a typical growth spurt, so that behavior sounds normal.

Trust your body & your baby.

Ditto this!! Your breasts are never truly empty - continued demand will trigger another letdown. True the milk may be slower coming than when you are full but that's totally totally normal!

And don't hesitate to get some hands on help from an IBCLC or breastfeeding support group if you aren't sure.

mcgeeva · July 2014

I agree with everyone else. By the end of the day mine feel empty as well but at some point your breast adjust to what is needed so emptier at night - enough to feed your baby and of course fuller in the am based on how long your baby sleeps. Mine never get engorged during the day anymore.

*sparky* · July 2014

This is all really normal. I agree with the PPs that he best thing you can do is stop supplementing unless you have a specific reason for doing so. There is a three week growth spurt which would contribute to your LO acting like he's starving. Hang in there!!!

Kallas2011 · July 2014

Pumping between feedings has really helped me. I dont always pump between but just occasionally.

AbbySeiden · July 2014

I haven't been supplementing and I allow him to feed for as long as he'd like (which means feeding often take an hour) he doesn't seem to feed efficiently (lots of chewing not enough swallowing) however he does sleep between feedings and had plenty of dirty diapers. He just used to be easy to feed, sucking and swallowing and passing out milk drunk on the boob. Now it's a chore and the only noticeable change is that my boobs never feel full (except in the morning when I do pump between feedings and am able to produce a good amount).

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Breasts feel empty

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