Running out of milk

[soul]

Can someone please explain to me how a women suddenly stats runnig out of milk after a few weeks? I am curious to know why ones milk supply would just start drying up all of a sudden! I dont understand how this can happen but obviously it must and I want to educate myself on why and how this happens.

ITS not me by the way I am going strong as ever, but I hear this reason all the time in people that gave up BF and wnat to know why this happens to them.

[Liz]

I dunno! Would be interested to hear 'reasons' myself.

Thoughts that spring to mind:
Most common is the lack of engorgement at about 6 weeks because the boobs have finally worked out the right amount of milk to make, but people mistake this as milk drying up, when really the boobs have just gotten the hang of it! Coupled with a growth spurt around this time, they think the bub is fussy and feeding more coz of lack of milk.

Possibly supplementing with formula, so less milk production

Implementing stricter routines with feed/sleep which could affect supply

AF returning can affect it temporarily I think. DS got a bit fussy, but it all got back to normal after a few days.

? can't think of anything else?

[Lucy]

I am not sure if this is backed up scientifically, but I am sure I have read that smoking can impact supply..not at first, but a few weeks down the track?

[soul]

Oh thanks ladies, so basically its not that they run out of milk if that is even physically possible, more that they are doing something wrong to make it go so low?

[Ca Plane Pour Moi]

People get AF back so soon?

I'd say growth spurt would be the main reason, coupled with the Should Brigade saying if your milk was good enough your baby will sleep through - I know I re-fill more slowly at night so that would worry me if I were to let it.

[soul]

I have heard that they dont get a let down so there milk must be running out!

[~Jo~]

Mmm..i definately thought it was more a case of boobs settling and adjusting so the full feeling isnt as full kwim, not to mention demand increases supply. The minute I hear someone saying..just wanted to top up with formula I think uh oh...because then i think the dwindling supply can start. Our bodies are amazing and I think the more we are educated in just how amazing they are, these misconceptions can be cleared up. Thats not to say though, that stress, diet etc doesnt have an impact on supply.

Jo

[Ca Plane Pour Moi]

How do they know? I don't feel my letdown but can see it if DS gets distracted mid-feed; something a small baby is unlikely to do. Many women don't get a letdown with expressing, if that's how she's telling..

[soul]

Our bodies are amazing and I think the more we are educated in just how amazing they are, these misconceptions can be cleared up.

Brillaintly said Jo!!!!


WOW I did not know that everyone does "NOT" get a let down Ryan!!! omg really? I am sooooooooooo uneducated about BF its not funny and yet here I am doing it by instinct and nothing more and we are going strong. I honestly thought every BF women gets a let down, I get one every single feed of both boobs and wholy mamma do I feel it and the poor kid near gulps like a world record that i have to pull him off for a second or two lol.

I learn something new everynight!!!

[Ca Plane Pour Moi]

Everyone gets a letdown, just not everyone gets one while expressing or can feel it.

Poor DS, I nearly drown him too sometimes, but can't feel myself doing it!

[Liz]

I think they do get a letdown - they just don't feel it. I would think if you can't feel it, you would be able to tell by the baby's sucking action - nice long drawn out sucks.

People get AF back so soon?

Think I added that to my list before I realised the question was in relation to 'after a few weeks' of feeding. hehe. But I got mine back at 3 months I think some people do get it earlier.

[soul]

I feel the letdown alright and I see him take long drawn out sucks to the point he is sucking so fats I have to pull him off as not to get so much wind!

[Ca Plane Pour Moi]

Soul, when I look at a DS who has twisted his head, I'm squirting for England but I just cannot feel it! I get a let-down with expresing and I can squirt (withut pumping) 3oz at a time sometimes! So there's loads of milk, just I can't feel it.

[soul]

oh I didnt not believe you ryan, I guess I am just strange then, because I feel it lmao, its really boils down to I just didnt know not every women feels it, I am glad I do actually cause then I am warned to grab something to wipe little face lol

[*Efjay*]

I heard a better way of speaking about a "low supply" the other night. It should be looked at as a "Low intake" rather then a "low supply". Often a baby who isn't get enough is related to attachment problems not so much a low supply. BUT because of these attachment issues then yes low supply can happen. But I think it would be good if people could focus on a "low intake" rather then jumping straight to "low supply" KWIM? I think a mother would feel less like she is doing something wrong or that her body isn't providing if only she knew it was more that the baby isn't taking enough milk because of a reason other then her not making enough milk.

Hope that made sence.. its late

[Rachel]

Oh thanks ladies, so basically its not that they run out of milk if that is even physically possible, more that they are doing something wrong to make it go so low?

Soul, I'm not sure that this is fair or true. A friend of mine was breastfeeding with no problems what so ever, then at around 4 months she noticed that her DD was getting very irritable during feeding and becoming very unhappy and unsettled to the point where she was always crying, trying to feed (constantly on the breast) and not settling. After a week or so she felt that her DD was losing weight so went to the MCHN to weigh her and she had lost 400g in a few weeks! My friend was doing everything right and the same as me but for some reason she was having problems with supply and for her daughters health (as obviously 400g is a huge weight loss) ended up suppementing with formula (she would BF then give her formula and her DD always took the full recommeded amount even though she had just BF) and she is so much happier now, she has put on weight and looks a lot better. My friend wasn't doing anything wrong it was unfortunately one of those things, sometimes the body doesn't always function the way that it is intended to.

[soul]

Rachel, sorry but I was asking the questions not making the statements? I ask the question, the other ladies gave me some answers, so its not really fair for you to judge me in my questioning and asking others questions? I only asked what can cause milk to dry up and they gave there answers, so I again asked if they were more or less not looking after there bodies as that what some of the anwers sounded like to me, so i questioned this. I did not say "I" think this is so.

[*Efjay*]

There are very few women out there who can not BF because of a medical/physical reason.

Rachel, I don't know your or your friends situation but the first thing that sprung to mind with your firends story is something hormonal maybe? Often when AF returns or in the lead up (like when you ovulate), also if pg, or taking the pill, the hormones assosiated can interupt the taste, letdown, supply etc of BM. So I wonder is it possible that one of these things may have been a contributing factor in the situation. Also other things lin life such a sstress, medications etc.

So Yes there are reasons why one may have issues with a low supply. Often with the right support & help they can be overcome & mother & baby can continue to BF. Of course this does not mean that they wont need to supplement with Artifical infant milk. It does have its place for sure. But often mothers are just not given the right support & help to get through it. Its not a failure on the mothers part but it is on the medical system as they are the ones who are meant to be supporting new mothers.