Expressed amount reducing

[Now we're 3]

Can someone please confirm if the amount you get when expressing drops after a number of months of BFing. I think I remember this being mentioned in the forums previously but am not sure.

I have noticed that the amount I get when I express seems to have dropped off. I am giving one feed per day by bottle (one I wake him for at 10.30pm) and also give bottle top up after another feed (around 4pm feed). If possible I get another expression in so doing two per day. Baby is having a minimum of four other feeds per day and I also re-offer just prior to settling him after his feed/play (these are not counted in the four feeds). Sometimes he will take it for at least a few minutes. For the last two days he has been a bit lazy on the breast and am concerned that if he isn't sucking that hard that this can cause my supply to drop.

Thanks

[Fleur]

Your supply might settle around the 3 - 4 month mark - I think this is when the hormones which have kept everything kicking along start to settle down?
Hopefully someone else more knowledgable can confirm

If you're worried about your supply a few days of more frequent feeding or expressing should pick it up though.
Oh, and make sure you're drinking plenty of water I have to remember this one, I never drink enough...

[onthefly]

Yes, your supply is probably just settling down. You tend to have an oversupply in the early weeks which makes expressing easier. You could try expressing mroe often or try a different pump (maybe an electric, double if you're not using that already)

At this age he's probably also getting a lot more efficient at feeding and noticibly quicker.

All the best~~

[MantaRay]

It is very normal for the amount you get when expressing to drop - and the amount you get when expressing isn't a very indicator of supply either, so don't worry. If you are ever concerned that your little one isn't getting enough milk, the best way to tell is the nappies - at least 5 heavily wet disposables (or 6 - 8 pale wet cloth nappies) in 24 hours. It sounds like you and Sam are doing very well.