Worried about my supply....

So my bbs are not as full as they used to be and Im worried that the intro of solids has affected my supply...I mean I expected it to but not to the point where Im actually worried about it...How common is it for supply to "dry up" after the introduction of solids? So not ready or this bf journey to be over...
Thanks..

Is there any other reason to suspect low supply? Generally, if you keep feeding, you will keep making milk. Your supply will naturally adjust over time and you may not feel as full - but that just means your breasts are more efficient at making the right amount of milk at the right time.
As far as I'm aware, milk doesn't just dry up unless you stop feeding or have some medical problem that causes it to happen.

What are they like in the morning? DD has only just started on solids and my supply is ok. I can still feel 'full' in the morning and notice during the day that she sometimes has dribbles of milk come out after she comes off the breast. Even though you don't feel full they can still be getting enough. As long as they seem happy and contented with wet nappies that is your best indicator I think.

Hun, what is happening to make you worry about your supply?

I wonder how much solids your little one is having? Solids do replace milk (babies tend to keep taking in the same amount of calories when they start solids, so as food intake increases, milk intake decreases. This will mean that you will start to produce less milk as the demand drops, however it would be unlikely that you would stop making enough to meet the demand.

Babies at Violet's age can often finish a feed in just a couple of minutes, and that is also a common age for babies to become fussy at the breast (due to distraction, teething, AF returning etc). So there could be a number of things happening that might cause you to worry about your supply, but which luckily aren't a sign of reduced supply at all. Do you think that could be it?

Natty,

My BB's are feeling much more 'empty' lately too. I don't even get engorged anymore (unless its been a REALLY long time between feeds). It was the same with DD, eventually they just end up feeling like they did before you were even pregnant and you wonder how the heck can they have ANYTHING in them, let alone enough milk to sustain a baby! I'm quite disappointed that mine have 'shrunk' back down to pre-pregnancy size......... Would have love them to have stayed! haha!

I think as long as V is growing strong and has plenty of wet nappies then you have nothing to worry about.

:hug: xxx

Hi,

You do hear a lot in the community about *milk just drying up* but it's not the case! As long as you feed, you make milk. Babies are designed to breastfeed for long after the time solids are introduced. For most of the time you are breastfeeding your breasts just feel pretty soft and normal but they are making milk more efficiently than ever. So, no need to worry - you are making milk just fine.

You should have seen my bbs after 12 mths - back to pre-pg size! And still doing their job as well as ever. I don't think I felt full for the last three years of our bfing. And she was well and truly getting plenty of milk. Bbs tend to adjust back to a more normal size/shape/feel over time the longer you feed. Unfortunately, not many mothers bf beyond 6 mths and as such it's not really explained or understood how your body changes with time.

I'm sure you're doing absolutely fine!

Thankyou all for your replies
Maybe I was being a bit worried for nothing..:rolleyes:


Barb thanks, I think Im just a bit worried as I need to start expressing soon for Vs 1 day of childcare, having said that I can always go in and feed her if need be.

Kymmy yep that sounds like me too, its very rare they are engorged now and yep mine have shrunk a bit too lol back to my normal size but a bit saggier lol.


MantaRay I was feeding V yesterday and it was one of those times she was pulling off and looking very put out..Usually if she pulls off I see milk in the corners of her mouth and this time none and none there when I tried to express a little either.... Im trying to give her 3 solids a day but sometimes she wants another...Having said that she has had a bit of a cold and was off her food so was probably wanting more milk. I dont think I can blame teething and luckily no AF for me yet lol but thankyou what you have said makes perfect sense.


Heather72 , They are a bit fuller in the morning but sometimes, esp after a night where she has been up and feeding (no routine here yet lol) they can be quite deflated and thats what was worrying me too but I have been monitoring her nappies and there are plenty of wet ones..

marcellus, Just not feling as full and wondering as some women I know mentioned their supply just disappeared at of before this point...I consider myself so lucky to have been able to do this and I just wanted to get it sorted if it was going to be a problem

Thanks Jennifer! Yep definately true that noone talks about further than 6 months and ppl are starting to ask about when Im going to stop...Why would I stop when we have worked so hard at getting it right???

Must have been posting at the same time lol.
Ill stop stressing about it after all the great advice you ladies have given me
Thanks xx