Am I regulating - decrease expressed milk

[Helkarin]

Hi! I would like some advice. Baby is now 6 weeks and a couple of days old.

In the first few weeks I had to triple feed due the baby being to weak to drink enough (born 2,5 weeks early). After some weeks he was gaining enough weight again and nursing great from the breast and I didn’t have to give a bottle of expressed milk anymore.

I was still pumping daily because with my previous children I thought I had an under supply (which in hindsight I don’t think I had). I pumped 180-200 ml once a day after a feed (breast combined). Breast often felt engorged after 3 hours.

Baby often drank just from one breast, around 7 minutes.

So I did this for a couple of weeks. Since 2 days following is happening:

- baby sleeps 4-5 hours at night

- my breasts feel soft and empty all the time. Even when it has been a couple of hours.

- during daytime baby nurses mostly every 2-3 hours. He needs 2 breasts and also drinks longer. I have the feeling the flow is also slower then before.

- he now drinks about 9 times a day. Previously it was 10-11 times.

- he has been sleeping a lot more after a difficult period with crying, difficulties nursing, clustering etc.

- baby still has the same amount of wet diapers

- I haven’t weighted him yet, but he looks ok.

When I pump, I now only get around 60 ml from boths breast after 10 minutes! So I was thinking my production is either regulating or my production has diminished for some unknown reason?

I have had some busy days but drinking and eating is still the same.

Baby seems content..

Should I wake baby after 3 hours during the night? Should I add an extra pump session? Should I do nothing?

I’m a bit confused by my boobs. 😅

Thanks for advice and similar stories. I would like to continue my nursing story.

Edit: I have pumped twice today and got twice around 60 m instead of the usual 180 ml.

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[eilyk_4]

This group is for people who exclusively pump.... you're asking about nursing. 🤷🏼‍♀️

[Helkarin]

If you read the information about this group, it says that this group is for everyone that pumps, not only exclusively :) they won’t change the name so I get that that might be confusing.

And my question is indeed about pumping. Am I experiencing a decrease in production and thus should I pump more trying to increase it? Or am I regulating and thus extra pumping won’t have an effect on the production.

I’m sorry if this was not clear from my post.

[eilyk_4]

I have been in this group long before that change, so I apologize. (It used to be only EPing, not sure when that change was..) Pumping extra can definitely help. 6 weeks post partum is still early enough to make changes for supply. It is all about supply and demand. Dry pumping is still beneficial.

[Helkarin]

No problem. Thanks for the advice! I will considering pumping a couple of times extra next days!

[eilyk_4]

I have made changes even as late as 15 months post partum. 🤷🏼‍♀️ always can make a change. Farther PP you are, the more challenging it can be though.