Do I have enough milk???

[mom2four]

I had plenty of milk early on - oversupply. I went back too work - 32 hours a week - when dd was 10/11 weeks old. Initially she was fine. Now, daycare says she is always hungry, and I don't pump as much. I pump 4x day and total 12 oz, I used to get 14-15. They're feeding her 15 oz sometimes 17oz. I will be out of a freezer stash before too long. I have tried everything, water, oatmeal, and domperidone. I think I might have gotten a bad batch of domperidone, it hasn't worked at all this time (worked with my others). I got it from In House pharmacy.
DD is almost 4 months and weighs over 16lb.
What should I do?? I should also add that she cries EVERY night before going to sleep, nurses constantly, and I'm sure that if I had more milk in the evenings this would not happen.
Help, I feel rather sick over the whole ordeal. I already try to pump on the three days I don't work, in the mornings.

[whitnessforhim]

Take a deep breath and relax first momma. This is definitely fixable. Just about every working mom has experienced this stress. I know I have when my DD was this young. First I would suggest a few links for you to look at.

This one will show you how to calculate how much baby will need while you are away:
http://www.kellymom.com/bf/pumping/milkcalc.html

This link will help you understand how to bottle feed a breast fed baby:
http://www.kellymom.com/bf/pumping/bottle-feeding.html

It is very important that you make sure your baby is not being overfed. This is very typical of daycare's who are use to formula fed babies. There are many reasons why a baby fusses and cries but most of the time sitters don't worry about figuring this out, instead they pop a bottle in the mouth thinking that is what they need.

FWIW my DD never took in more than 15oz within the 8hr period she was at the sitters. Her normal intake was around 12oz. Also remember that the average amount for a breastfed baby to consume in a 24hr period is around 25oz. So if she is getting 17oz at the sitters that only leaves 7oz of milk she will be demanding from you. This is why overfeeding is very important to avoid, it can lead to premature weaning. Also remember if per chance she doesn't get all that she needs at the sitter most babies just make up for it when they are home with momma which is the optimal to steer clear of supply issues. You can always pump but a pump will never be as sufficient as a baby is of emptying the breast.

If I were you I would first calculate how much baby needs, I would send exactly that much and maybe a little bit extra (for growth spurt times) and nothing else. I would also have a talk with the daycare and suggest to them ways they can soothe your baby other than the bottle.

IMO it doesn't sound like there is anything wrong with your supply and you don't need the herbs or drugs.

[crystal555rose]

As long as she is gaining weight and urinating it is unlikely that your supply is insufficient, in my opinion. I also struggled with this issue. My mom was the only caregiver that would exhaust many options before giving another bottle (considering intake up until that point of course). And she still overfed him. I had an abundant supply but I was never able to stockpile any milk. I was able to nurse him at lunch which I think helped maintain my supply.

It is tough bottle feeding a breastfed baby. They suck with a vengeance to stimulate let down, but with a bottle it simply drains it faster. Plus, the hindmilk is what gives the sensation of fullness so if you provide a bunch of foremilk heavy bottles she may not be totally satisfied even though the volume is more than enough.

I would pump in the morning after he nursed and at night after he went to bed. I would combine this with any other bottles that seemed to be thinner in an effort to make each bottle have fat in it.

As for fussing at night, I can think of many reasons she may be fussing. My son would also nurse almost constantly in the evening at this age. Your breasts are never empty, so if she is nursing she is getting something.

Whitness gave you some great resources. Does your baby take a pacifier? It could give your caregivers more options when soothing your baby.

Good luck!

[whitnessforhim]

As long as she is gaining weight and urinating it is unlikely that your supply is insufficient, in my opinion. I also struggled with this issue. My mom was the only caregiver that would exhaust many options before giving another bottle (considering intake up until that point of course). And she still overfed him. I had an abundant supply but I was never able to stockpile any milk. I was able to nurse him at lunch which I think helped maintain my supply.

It is tough bottle feeding a breastfed baby. They suck with a vengeance to stimulate let down, but with a bottle it simply drains it faster. Plus, the hindmilk is what gives the sensation of fullness so if you provide a bunch of foremilk heavy bottles she may not be totally satisfied even though the volume is more than enough.

I would pump in the morning after he nursed and at night after he went to bed. I would combine this with any other bottles that seemed to be thinner in an effort to make each bottle have fat in it.

As for fussing at night, I can think of many reasons she may be fussing. My son would also nurse almost constantly in the evening at this age. Your breasts are never empty, so if she is nursing she is getting something.

Whitness gave you some great resources. Does your baby take a pacifier? It could give your caregivers more options when soothing your baby.

Good luck!

Oh I forgot to mention about the fussy nights. I agree with pp. This just seems to be what babies do at night. Mine was also fussy and she is right your breast always have milk in them :)

[Candi]

Read this link about cluster feedings and fussy evenings.

http://www.kellymom.com/babyconcerns/fussy-evening.html

[mom2four]

THanks for the replies!
She is actually getting better at night (thank goodness) but waking more often, so I am a zombie at work during the day.
I will try pumping some after she nurses to get more fatty milk. They fed her so much last Thursday afternoon (15 oz between 10-3) that she refused to nurse when I brought her home. AND they thought she was still hungry because she was fussy. She is gaining well, and peeing plenty. She's pretty happy all day when I'm with her, Friday through Sunday, except at night.
Anyway, I'll print out the link about bottle feeding and see if that might help . . . thanks for the support ladies!

[mom2four]

Oh, that link about fussy evenings was GREAT. That is totally what she does at night, and all of those thoughts have run through my head. Thanks for reassuring me!!