Breastfed, never sleeps- help!

[snowbunny]

I'm breastfeeding my little boy, who is 7 weeks old. So far i have had really badly cracked nipples, mastitis and suspected DVT, for which i had antibiotics.

With having all this my milk supply has dropped off.

I have been told the only way to bring the supply back up is to let my baby suck & suck & suck. & not to feed formula.

I've done the sucking for 2 and a half weeks. & supply is much better.

But why is it that some days i have milk to satisfy and only need one formula bottle to top up and others three bottles? if i don't give formula my baby doesn't sleep at all, surely this is not right. Some days i can't even put him down without him crying to get a drink or eat or even go to the toliot.

Is this normal, how do you cope

Sarah X

 

[cassi]

Hun this is normal, your baby has bought in supply and now its dropped, baby needs to bring that back again....so it may take feeding and feeding, but whenever you give formula you are dropping your milk supply again because your body is made to think your baby has had all they need...

. & not to feed formula.

That is very true!!! I did it..and well it all went downhill from there...

He may be haviong a growth spurt.....Otherwise sounds like your doing a igreat job..just stick at it and it will get better in time, your baby is still young and still needs time to bring your supply to meet ever growing demands, they can say it can take up to 3 months to establish breastfeeding fully!

Good luck hun and keep at it

 

[budge]

stop the formula feeding and just breastfeed him regularly even if he doesn't demand it.
eat well, rest a lot and RELAX!! you're doing great and in a few days baby will have adjusted your milk supply to suit his needs.

 

[skatty]

Some don't recommend it but pumping after feeds will really increase your supply and also you can then have some milk for your OH or someone to feed from a bottle so you can get some rest which will also help your supply.

Also have you tried carrying him in a sling when he's crying? Even now when Leorah is ratty I put her in and straight away she stops fussing, we call it the magic sling