DS not draining breast now supply is dwindling!

[*PinkLilly*]

What can I do. I try to keep putting him on but he just prefers the bottle now. Can I just express to build my supply back up and when it is enough just go back to bb cold turkey? Or put him on the bb's (which is a battle) and top up and then express to build up supply?

And how long till I start seeing results if I feed/express every 2 hours.

Just want to be able to do this!!!!

[starangelk]

This happened to me too PL - I perservered with DD feeding and was a bit hard ass and wouldn't offer her anything but the boob and she caved after about 12 hours. In the interim, I expressed every 2 hours and I found my supply boosted within 2 - 3 days. You can also try fenugreek but my hot tip is any BF is a good BF, so much better than the pump. GL!

[Bella29]

yeah I have found at times when DD wanted extra supply, like when she went off solids for 10 days and would only bf due to sickness, that it took about 2 days and my supply went back up.

Basically babies are generally lazy buggers They soon realise that they get more milk quicker with a bottle and so soon stop wanting to work for the milk. My DD di that when I was getting DH to give her a feed in the mornings to let me have a sleep. She started fussing at the breast and not wanting to work for the let down. So I decided that I wouldn't let DH give her bottles anymore. It took a bit of fussing but she went back to the breast. End of the day she may have been willing to let the bottle feed her when it was easy but if it was have nothing or work for it she worked for it.

Also the Medela pumps are brilliant for expressing and worth their weight in gold. Also maybe block feed him on one side. So offer him the same side for any feeds he has for say a 2 hr period and then swap over. That is so he gets the important hind milk that she needs so much. I know my DD even now likes to swap breasts after the first let down because she has worked out that I will have let down on the other side too and therefore it is easier to get the milk from there. Lazy little sausage! These kids are smart babe. But keep that in mind and remember if you deprive him of bottle feeds in an effort to get him back to the breast then he may not like it(and so he will let you know this) but he will eventually do what it takes to get the milk he wants and needs.

Big hugs You may feel really knackered for the next few days if you do this. Eat well and keep yourself hydrated, and know many of us have been where you are and if we can do it, you can, if you want to

[*PinkLilly*]

Just curious as to what kind of increase I would be looking at with this extra stimulation? I expressed tonight (on and off for 2 hours - 5mins hereband there, due to getting DD settled) and got 80mls easy. I also get multiple letdowns each express.

[starangelk]

I think that's awesome PL - multiple letdowns is really good and I think 80mls easy is a great amount too.

[Bella29]

I agree that if u r getting 80mls easy that is fantastic. Some mums I know can express for an hr and still not get that. So sounds like u have great supply. Be cautious about expressing to much whilst in this particular situation cos u want there to be lots of milk there for bubba when he decides he is hungry enough to feed for it. He will need to put in some work himself otherwise he will continue to refuse to feed if he is getting the bottles of EBM, IMO. Good luck anyway. How r u both doing anyway?

[~Raven~]

And how long till I start seeing results if I feed/express every 2 hours.

About 3 days in my experience! Make sure you drink plenty of water too. How is it going?

[onthefly]

Sounds like you have a pretty good supply going there, well done.
Is he having any feeds at the breast? Do you give bottle topups every feed, or consolidate them into 1-2 full feeds per day?
Maybe one day when you have help around the place and nothing else to do, you could try a day in bed together? Just cuddle and feed and no bottles. The ABA may also have some good advice for you, if you haven't been in touch with them lately - 1800-686-2-686

[*PinkLilly*]

Thanks for your support ladies.

I should have mentioned that the 80mls was a 'full feed' express due to DS having a dream feed (I've nev been able to get a nipple into his mouth when he was asleep).

I've been feeding and trying to get him to stay on for as long as I can, and my supply is obviously increasing because I've been able to keep him on with minimal fussing for about 10 minutes per side which is a huge improvement, giving him a formula or ebm top up and then expressing straight after.

Still a while to go before I will be able to get rid of the bottles all together but certainly heading in the right direction. Hopefully I will be sucussful! Wish me luck

[starangelk]

Great work and good luck