Ok, so I've read the info (re low supply)...but not sure what to think??

[Erin_25]

So I've read all the info I can on BF & what can increase supply. Also read that there really is no thing as "not enough" milk. I've always believed if you supplement at night time you will not produce what you need overnight.

So our BF so far has been GREAT, so happy with how it's going. DS is just over 2wks old & attaches great, feeds regularly during that day & sleeps well at night. We've actually never heard him cry that was until last night!! He was on the breast from 6.30pm til 11pm...each time I took him off he would just cry & nuzzle back for more like he wasn't getting anything I have no idea if he was hungry. It wasn't wind as he did a few no2's & burps etc. He just seemed so hungry. He puts himself to sleep well also but last night just bright eyed & crying!! So at 11pm I gave in & he had approx 40ml of formula & passed out til 8am this morning!!!!!

So could it have been a supply problem? They were full as when he woke up & he's feeding great again today. But I don't want to get into the trap of giving formula at night....but I'm not going to let my baby "scream" all night in hunger either. What do I do?!?!?

[MantaRay]

Hun, the early weeks can be so confusing. Just when you think you have it all sorted, something changes.

It's not quite true that there's no such thing as low supply, but it is very, very rare for supply to be low when you are feeding frequently. Young babies generally feed between 8 and 12 times in 24 hours, but it is not necessarily regular. Generally they have one longer period of sleep during 24 hours, and one "fussy" time where they seem to be constantly feeding. Most often this fussy time is in the late afternoon or evening. That sounds a lot like what your little man did last night. This is very normal behaviour and not a sign of low supply.

The fact that you woke up feeling full is a good sign that your supply is fine. It's also unlikely that at 2 weeks you would suddenly have a drop in supply as your hormones are still in action producing milk at this point. However the very best way to know if your baby is getting enough is if he is having wet and dirty nappies. At least 5 heavily wet disposables, or 6 - 8 pale wet cloth nappies in 24 hours is really good. So is more than one runny or soft poo in a day. If your little man is doing that then you don't need to worry about him getting enough.

Generally what happens with formula is that they drink from the bottle whether they are hungry or not, as they can't stop the flow like they can at the breast. Then they are full and the formula is harder to digest, so then they are full and sometimes sleep for longer. Usually though once they get used to the formula it has less chance of helping them sleep longer. As you already know, introducing formula can also start the slippery slope of weaning, as your baby is demanding less milk, so therefore you will make less. This is especially important in the first few weeks as your supply is being established.

It is fine that you tried the formula last night - when you are tired, stressed and worried about your baby being hungry it is instinct to try anything. It is something that many mums do and no harm is done. But it is something to be aware of that it can cause problems with bfing, so that is something to consider if you want to keep giving a bottle at night. Often mums have success with other ways of settling their baby after a couple of hours of constant feeding - wearing them in a sling, a warm bath, or perhaps pushing them back and forth in a pram.

It sounds to me like you are doing a fantastic job, and that your supply is also doing very well. It's ok to have confidence in your body - it grew your baby for 9 months and it can continue to sustain your baby.

[onthefly]

Sounds like you're both doing great Erin!
The fussiness can often set in a couple of weeks in. you think all is well, baby is settled and happy and then BAM! And so they feed heaps too.
My DS was like this - between 4 and 7 in the evening he fed almost constantly. It is very tiring, but he grew out of it.
A sling is a great idea for getting a bit of a break.

[Laranna]

Erin, sounds like you are doing all the right things. Our bubbas are the same age and DD has just started to kick in with her fussiness and cluster feeding, especially since the weather is quite warm at the moment. She's on my boob, well it seems constant, between around 5 and 9pm. I'm just going with it because I figure the more she is feeding, the better my supply will be (hopefully!). During the night, I have also brought her into bed with me after a proper feed and we lay skin to skin and she just nuzzles at my boob and will have more drinks while I get to lay down and lightly sleep (can't fully sleep properly when she's on), so I get some rest.