The Battle to Save Supply!

I've been battling my breastmilk supply ever since Alex's sixth week. I had to break down and supplement with formula when my little preemie dude hit his second growth spurt at that time. Rather than his cluster feedings lasting only a day or two, they lasted for ten days that time. I simply couldn't keep up, nursing him every hour sometimes. I broke down and supplemented with formula, fearful that it would kill my milk supply.


That was six weeks ago and I was able to get my milk supply back up by just pumping around his formula feeding. He's in another cluster feed marathon now and I had to bypass some BF'ing again, but by pumping often, I was able to get the milk supply back up. I went from a low point of his diet being some 60% formula in some weeks to it now being about 20% formula.  What used to be only 2 oz per pumping session is once again 4 oz per session and still increasing.

I try to remember that stress also decreases milk supply as will a poor diet and a lack of sufficient water.  I also went an entire day on formula while pumping to store. I was able to get 34 oz stored in the freezer, which allowed me a headstart on pumping surplus when I returned to BF'ing for all feedings save two.

Here's hoping I can save it.  C'mon Alex! We both need this!

June 16, 2007