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not enough breast milk!
I have a 2 1/2 week old. My milk didnt come through until after he was born and it never seems to be enough. I have to top him up with a bottle which not only takes twice as long but I hate doing it. I have also tried expressing milk to see exactly how much he is getting. It built up from 1 oz to 2 1/2 oz until the last few days, now Im only producing 1oz from both sides put together. Does anyone know a way of encouraging milk production. My baby is having 5oz feeds at the moment and I want to breast feed 100%.
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Replies
I am producing less and less milk as well. From what I've read and got advice on this website here, nothing you eat can help but you should have a healthy diet anyway.
Expressing milk, in my experience, only gives a guide as to what you've got, the pump is not as good as baby at getting the milk out. Apparently if you pump or breast feed very frequently (every 2 to 3 hours), then the hormones make the brain tell the breasts to make more milk. I haven't done it this frequently after the first few weeks as I have too much housework to do and my nipples get sore.
I am using formula milk most of the time now, and breast feeding randomly. I was very very upset when I realised I would not be able to bf 100% (at around 14 weeks). But baby was not gaining weight so doctor said I had to give formula top ups. He's thriving now, so I am much happier.
Have you talked to your health visitor or GP? May be they can suggest something.
Good luck
Gina xxx