Advice please!!

[emmasmom2008]

I am still breast feeding my 9 1/2 month old daughter and I just found out that I am pregnant again. I have already noticed what I think is a drop in my supply. (I pump pretty regularly and went from pumping 4oz to only 3oz in a session, and when Emma is nursing I have noticed after a short while she is no longer swallowing but still sucking) Breastfeeding Emma until she is 1 has always been super important to me, but I am worried that she may not be getting enough. She has always had a very small tummy and has always eaten small meals quite frequently (very small meals, she has never drank more than 3-4oz usually 2or3 at a feeding), including still nursing about every 2-3 hours at night (I have also noticed her being more fussy than usual at night recently) She eats so little that it makes me extra nervous for her that she might not be getting enough so I tried to give her formula her and there to supplement over the last couple of days but she refuses it. I am so worried about her and don't know what to do. Please help. Thanks!

Kim

[StillSingingMom]

You are right to keep an eye on this. Your supply will drop, although it's impossible to guess how much and when. And since your little one is so young, you will most likely want to supplement with formula.

You don't, however, have to make her eat. When she is hungry, she will eat. Offer the formula several times a day; maybe use a sippy cup, and trust her to know what she needs. Keep an eye on diaper output, and you'll be fine.

Congratulations!

[Nipple_nectar]

I have known several moms that did not suffer such a dramatic drop that formula supplementation was needed. They did do things to increase supply, like adding oatmeal to their diets on a daily basis. Using a hospital grade pump instead of their usual pump to reboost production. You could also use breast compression to help empty the breast during your nursing sessions: www.kellymom.com/newman/15breast_compression.html

You could also use a nursing necklace to increase your nursing time with your DD (Darling Daughter). Be careful with the solids, you do not want to overfill her, make sure you are still nursing first, offering solids second. Solids at this point are for practice and breastmilk or formula will need to remain her primary source of nutrition for her entire first year.

I would start pumping for ten minutes after each session on order to increase your supply. Knowing all this, you may not be able to save it or preserve it, I dried up completely by my fifteenth week of pregnancy, how far along are you?

Reading the Adventures in tandem nursing by Hilary Flower will be of great benefit to you:) Congrats!

It is important to keep an accurate count of her output, you need to see a minimum of six wet diapers in a 24 hour period, if you are seeing less than that, then it is time to consider supplementation.