Need some help with breastfeeding!

[ktland223]

Hi All,

My LO is 8 weeks old and I have been exclusively breastfeeding since day 1 over the last couple of days, she's been really unsettled and I decided to pump to see how much milk she is getting and I got 1oz off one breast and about 1.5oz off the other other. This obviously isnt enough, what shall I do???

Lottie is a healthy weight and has been growing really well, as you'll know breastfeeding isnt a walk in the park and I dont want to give up

[MissSaoPaulo]

Don't panic. Very often the amount you can pump does not reflect how much the baby is getting as they are more efficient at getting the milk out. Maybe she's going through a growth spurt and your supply hasn't quite caught up to her hunger yet? Keep feeding as often as she wants and you could even pump a little after she feeds to make sure your breasts are empty and your body will get the signal to make more milk. And drink loads of water and eat well and look after yourself too xxx

[ktland223 in reply to MissSaoPaulo]

Aww thank you I was really panicking ❤

[Claireeeeeeeeeeeee]

Definitely don't panic, babies are so much better at getting milk out than a pump is. It might not have anything to do with the amount of milk or being hungry. I think I remember mine being unsettled around 8 weeks and it matched up with a leap in wonder weeks. They go through so many things growth spurts, sleep regressions, leaps, teething and illness. Through all of those my little one fed more for comfort, not lack of milk. If you have made to 8 weeks you have got this breastfeeding thing.

[claire16c]

Firstly please know the amounts you’re pumping has nothing to do with what she’s drinking (your letdown isn’t the same) but secondly they’re totally normal amounts to pump! Infact its quite a lot as youre feeding her.

Also bf babies usually drink about 1-1.5oz per hour anyway.

So it’s not that!

Babies can be unsettled for all types of reasons and often nothing to do with feeding

Could be over tired, needs to burp. Wants a cuddle. Try a change of scenery. It’s not your milk

Honestly if you’re at 8 weeks you’re doing fine - don’t doubt yourself! X

[Baypony]

Hey ktland, awww look at your lovely little one 🙂 You don’t say if you have expressed before but there is a real art to it! I tried for several weeks and got hardly anything, then read up about expressing and realised you need to have the right sized attachment on the pump to fit your nipple. Some people can’t express and some find one pump works better than another.

The amount that comes out when you express is not a good measure of how much the baby is getting. Babies are often fussy at the breast for loads of reasons.

If baby is putting on weight and producing wet and poopy nappies then you don’t need to worry.

My baby is nearly 11 weeks and we went through several stages where I thought she wasn’t getting enough but the nappies say otherwise 🤢🤣

Have a look at Kellymom website, it’s really helpful and has been my go to breastfeeding bible now we cannot go out to specific breastfeeding support meetings. You will be surprised to find all the worries and questions you have have all been asked before and there is some really good advice in there.

I have a medela swing pump (brought 2nd hand) and find this works well for me, but the friend I brought it from couldn’t express anything with it at all!

Good luck xx

[Alq21]

I've been feeding my 9mth old myself since birth (he's only had about 2 bottles in that time) and I've never been able to pump hardly anything. It doesn't mean anything -as long as they're gaining weight they're fine X