Supply and Demand Problem

[amadama]

My 5 week old was born premature and we started exclusive breastfeeding at 4 weeks old (was on 2 bottles of formula to help with weight gain until 4 weeks old). Since going exclusively breastmilk, I have only been able to pump 1/2 oz to 2 oz between breasts. I saw the local lactation consultant last week, she helped us while he was in the hosptial, and she suspected I had a yeast infection of the breasts. I have been treating the suspected yeast infection and the treatment seems to have helped with the burning sensation in my nipples and the blocked milk duct(s) has cleared up. The amount pumping wouldn't worry me, except from about 10 am to 10 pm it seems like he is hungry all of the time. He will nurse on both breasts for around 45-1hour total, act satisfied and in 1-1 1/2 hours be fussy and hungry again. I have been pumping following feedings to try and increase supply but still only get 1/2-2oz pumped. Even when he is fed a bottle and I only pump its the same amount produced.

I am concerned since we have gone exclusively to breast milk that he is not getting enough since he acts hungry all afternoon. Any suggestions or advice is much appreciated.

[mirellevvi]

As babies grow they go through what is called growth spurts and sometimes that is the explanation of acting hungry, and it could be the case in your situation. However, since your baby was a premee there could be a lot of other things going on here. Some premees get tired very quickly and are not as efficient in taking the milk out of the breast. That might explain the amount of time you baby spends on the breast at each feed. In addition, if the milk transfer during that time was not sufficient, then even though it looks like the baby was on the breast for a long time there might not have been a lot of milk transferred. Here I would suggest getting in touch with a LC in your area and doing a pre-feed and post-feed weight check. That will help in determining how much milk was actually transferred.

If the milk is not being transferred then your breast is not emptied and your brain gets a message to make less milk, so you have a valid concern.
Good luck.