When do you know your boobs is empty of milk?
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@Riley really? Some how after I express pump and feed my baby on the breast I just pump I feel like she doesn’t get any milk because she always seem to wake up and still hungry for more? So I assume it’s empty and she’s not getting any since I pumped all the milk?
It's never "empty". Milk production is just cycles of letdowns. Everyone has a different time frame for their cycles, but usually 2-3 letdowns per feed. Wait anywhere from, say, 5-15 minutes, and you'll get another full feed or pump session. If your boobs feel extra firm or sore, they're becoming engorged, even if minor. At the end of a feed/pump session, and before another letdown cycle, your boobs should feel soft and "pillowy".
Do you pump first or after the feed?
so you’re always producing more, when you’re “empty” it’ll just come alot slower and in smaller amounts. this is happening to me right now with my 5 week old, he’s still hungry after eating on me even for hours, i’m just not producing enough for him. i’ve been supplementing with my frozen breastmilk stash and giving it in a bottle because he’ll still be hungry and scream. my freezer stash is diminished now though, and i’m not producing enough to keep up with it. i’m seeing a lactation consultant monday to see if theres anything i can do to increase my supply! but you’re never technically “empty” haha i’m hoping we don’t have to start supplementing with formula, but if i can’t start producing more, we’ll have to :(
try pumping right after feeds and in between feeds to increase your supply!
@Riley if you're having a hungry baby issue, try pumping BEFORE a feed. Even for a couple of minutes. Let one letdown happen, then feed. That should lessen the amount of foremilk he's getting, to allow him to get full on hindmilk! Also, don't let him feed for more than 10 minutes at a time. The longer he feeds, the more energy he is burning to complete that feed, so he will be hungry again sooner. Then, add in a normal pump session between feeds. Demand = supply. Get your hydration up, too. Not just water, but electrolytes! Make sure you're getting a lot of protein, healthy fats, and carbs, too. Don't skimp on the food! Lol also, if you've started exercising again, try not to do too much. Easy, short walks. You want your body to put that energy and calories into milk, rather than a workout.
**feeding for 10 minutes, but if he's hungry again, definitely feed him feed on demand, but short sessions.
@Ashley usually 5am I’ll bf her than I’ll wake up around 9ish and pump for my mornings? My partner will bottle feed her while I’m pumping. I don’t pump after I bf her I usually wake 2 to 3 hours and than pump is that bad?
@Ashley unfortunately if i pump before a feed, i’m such an undersupplier that he won’t have anything left for his feed. also if i take him off after 10 minutes he will scream and be completely inconsolable until i put him back on or give him a bottle because he’s hungry still😅 it’s been rough here lol
@Riley that’s what’s happening to me my baby is going to be 1 month tomorrow and I want to make sure to keep up with her feeds and my supplies.
Not bad. If it works for you to have a full, content baby, and a freezer stash, keep doing what you're doing.
not bad but i’d do both right after the feed and then again around 9 if you’re trying to increase your supply!
@Ashley sorry this is a dumb question but what’s letdown? Is it like you let your breast hang out without a pad or bra?
@Riley how long does it take him to drink a bottle?
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No, letdown is the process of your breasts releasing milk. You'll usually feel a tingle, or pressure, then the milk will start to flow. Sometimes unintentionally.
Everyone feels it differently, though, so your signs may be something else. Also, some women have forceful letdowns, where it will leak or spray on their own. Others do not.
@Ashley not sure how to explain it but every time I bf or pump I’ll feel a tingle on my both of my breast it like kinda hurts but it feel very uncomfortable is that letdown? Is that’s what I’m feeling? I thought it was something wrong
@Ashley he’s not superrr quick with bottles either, but 3oz maybe takes him like 20 mins? unless he falls asleep with that too and then it takes longer lol. idk ive never actually timed it! he’s definitely better with bottles than he is on the boob lol
Incognito- yep! That's letdown! Nothing wrong at all!
@Riley 3oz is ALOT for 5 weeks, honestly. Their tummies are teeny! And breastmilk is super efficient. Your entire BF journey, he'll probably not go over 4oz or so. I bet he is plenty full, and is comfort nursing!
@Ashley how we know if they’re getting enough milk from just bf?
@Ashley my LO eats about 5oz and leaves 1oz left in a bottle. Than 5 mins later she’ll be hungry again? And I’ll fed her the left of the oz she didn’t finish and give her my boob to finish off.
You'll know by at least 6 wet diapers per day, plus steady growth, following their growth curve. How old is your baby? My guess is that they aren't actually hungry but need something else. For example, my baby acts hungry (ravenous, actually! Lol) after he's eaten, but he needs to burp! Once he gets out some good burps, he's content as can be! However, they will nurse a lot (called cluster feeding) when going through a growth spurt, which happens pretty frequently the first 6 months. There is really so much to be considered, and it's not just black and white. Do you have a lactation consultant that you can see? I really good, knowledgeable lactation consultant is a God-send! You're welcome to message me to go into more detail if you're comfortable with that. ❤️ 😊
@Ashley thats what i thought but when we started feeding him more he changed completely. we originally thought he was colicky or had severe gas/reflux, found out we just werent feeding him enough. he’d come off the boob and scream and we’d try burping him and giving him gas drops for hours thinking “dude theres no way you’re still hungry!”. started giving him breastmilk i had stashed frozen in a bottle and he hasn’t had those meltdowns since. he’s like a new baby😂 sometimes he’ll only take 1-2oz in a bottle, sometimes he doesn’t need it at all! it really depends! we’re still figuring it out but i really hope i can increase my supply so i can re-build our freezer stash before i go back to work and don’t have to do formula :(
@Ashley yes I would love that. My baby is going to be 6 weeks tomorrow a month old. Yes after I bf feed or bottle fed her she’ll burp and after she’ll suck on her fingers and she’ll peck me like she’s hungry? She doesn’t like pacifier unless she’s hungry she’ll take it other wise she won’t take that. Okay she does have lots of pee and poo throughout the day.
@Ashley I don’t have a lactation consultant sadly
There are a lot of free lactation consultants that you can resource. Most health insurance a lot consultations, and even Medicaid will cover. I have a hospital in my area that does breast-feeding classes weekly that is free as well. It’s just trying to find what works for your schedule and what resources are available in your area. It is really difficult with breast-fed babies to feel confident that they are full, but when you have a lactation specialist come, they will weigh the baby before and after a feeding, which will tell you how much they are getting. It gave me a lot more confidence because sometimes you don’t feel fullness in your breast, but they do provide sufficient amount. Good luck, mama that means you’re trying and that’s the best you can do❤️❤️❤️❤️
@Cherith wow I really should look into that. Thank you a lot!
theyre never really empty!!