Question for Barb

I know it's fairly common for people to think they don't produce enough milk. At the time I was BF with DD, I didn't think too much about it, but now, in hindsight, I wonder if I did have issues that I may need to address this time around.

These are the things that make me wonder if my supply was low - would be great if you could give me your opinion please Barb:

*DD was very slow to put on weight, though she never lost it
*She wanted to feed all the time, which I was happy to go along with until the 10m mark when she was still up at least 8 or 9 times a night.
*I never leaked at all
*My breasts were never sore or hard, or felt any different even after unexpected long periods between feeds
*I was never able to express more than 40ml at a time.

DD caught a virus at three days old, and was tube fed what little I could express plus some formula. I expressed after every feed - about 3 hourly. When she was able to BF, she latched on well but grew tired very quickly and always fell asleep after no more than 10mins at most. That continued for many months.

I know all these things can be considered fairly normal, but as a group, it does make me wonder. If I do have low supply, I want to be prepared this time and do whatever I can to boost it. Feeding often didn't seem to have any effect last time - she was always fed frequently (2-3hrly once we were home).

Bit of a ramble - sorry!:redface:

I understand why you would be worried about your supply after having all that going on. It sounds like you had a pretty difficult time of it.

It is hard to know whether those signs all together meant your supply was low. However the fact that you did bf your DD for so long and she did put on weight suggest that you did have enough milk. Usually the best ways to tell that your baby is getting enough is from their nappies, at least 5 heavily wet disposables in 24 hours, soft poos, and at more than one a day in the beginning, also that your baby is gaining weight over time, and seems healthy - alert and settled at least some of the time and good skin tone, bright eyes.

Have you considered doing a Breastfeeding Education Class before your new arrival? The information at these sessions is fantastic and this will also give you the opportunity to meet local counsellors who will be able to assist you with information and support after the birth if you need it.

I can support Mantaray's suggestion of doing the Australian Breastfeeding Association's Breastfeeding Education Classes. By the way, good on you for thinking about this and putting in place strategies for optimising your breastfeeding experience.
Most of us go into breastfeeding with frankly, no clue as to how the process works. And this wouldn't matter at all if we lived in the sort of culture where birth and breastfeeding proceeded normally, or where women were supported to breastfeed. But, so often, birth is not allowed to unfold normally, and that has a knock on effect into breastfeeding.
With breastfeeding in our culture, knowledge is power, and a breastfeeding class will help you understand how the process works. I have seen many mothers in those classes have an *ahuh* moment where they realise how what happened last time impacted on their breastfeeding experience. Classes include membership to ABA which links you in to a supportive network where breastfeeding is normal.
Looking at your story, the thing that stands out to me is the early separation from your baby caused by her illness. Early and frequent feeds, and having your baby in close proximity are hugely important in the early days - this helps set your milk supply. A pump will never quite replace the suckling of your baby. However, (probably through sheer grit and determination) it seems like you overcome this. The other things are inconsequentional. Expressing: Some are better than others and there are tricks you can learn to make it work. Also depends the type of equipment you had. Leaking....in our culture we tend to space out feeds longer than normal and so engorgement and leaking become a problem. If a baby is feeding frequently (read normally) leakage is less likely. Or you may have particularly tight sphincters in your nipples! Fullness, soreness and hardness (as per last point - people lead you to believe this is normal, but it probably not really) Frequent night feeding - by 10mnths if a baby is not getting it via breastmilk they can easily compensate by eating more food. It is more likely that it was behavioural (in a good way - she just wanted to be with you!) Not sure what the weightgains were , but good that she always put on weight.
Feel free to ask more questions - and book into those ABA classes!

Thank you both so much for your replies.

It's good to know most of the concerns are probably irrelevant. I suspect those early days did have a big effect but I really enjoyed breastfeeding once all that was over so hopefully, it will be different this time without any intervention. I will definitely look into doing a class - there is one at the hospital I'm using so that would be handy.

Are there any natural methods of giving a good headstart to supply before the birth? Fenugreek or a tea, for example? DD was 10lb 20z and this one will probably be big also, so I want to make sure I'm doing all I can to make an awesome supply :D

Thanks again!

Hi,

There is no *magic wand* that can be waved to increase your milk supply. Herbal remedies can't hurt, but they are not the main game when it comes to breastfeeding your baby. Understanding how breastfeeding works helps you to focus on what's important - undisturbed skin to skin contact and early, frequent feeding.

Another thing is that even big babies have tiny tummies. They only need 5 ml or so of colostrum at a time in the beginning, so you don't need to be concerned about your supply at first.

If you can, have a look at the ABA website - Australian Breastfeeding Association to see if they have a Breastfeeding Education Class in your area. These are absolutely fantastic.