My LO is just over 6 weeks and I've have been attempting to express since she was 4 weeks old. I was advised to express in the morning, either during or just after a feed, from the side LO doesn't feed from. I've been using a manual pump and getting anywhere between 2-4oz in total, depending whether I pump at 1 or 2 feeds. I find that I only have success first thing in the morning so it does depend how organised I am! I've then been freezing a bit but mostly using the expressed milk for a bottle later in the evening. This is all working well but I want to know if this is having effect on my supply and LOs feeding habits.
Basically, she feeds really well and goes a decent time between feeds in the morning and then after the expressed feed at night. However, from lunch time she feeds very frequently, mostly every hour, and seems really crabby and constantly hungry in between. The only thing that settles her is the expressed bottle. I know it's very rare not to produce enough milk but it genuinely does feel like that! Sounds silly but I'm not particularly well-endowed so I can't help but think that I have a fairly low maximum capacity! Plus I really would love slightly longer between feeds as, when she does, it really feels as though my boobs have time to restock properly and it is currently really hard to do anything or go anywhere after midday! Could it be that pumping so much in the morning is affecting my supply later in the day? And will giving the bottle at the end of the day also have an effect? I'm trying to give it at the end of these massive cluster feed sessions so that baby has spent enough time on me and therefore sending the right supply signals but I have to say I'm unsure it's working!
I also wondered of its a good idea to only pump occasionally, as I'm not sure I will be able to consistently pump every day. Is that going to confuse my supply? I didn't pump today and had a really good day for feeding, followed by a horrendous evening/night where LO wouldn't settle and just wanted to feed. Bit of a shock as she's been going down at about 9pm recently and sleeping for a good long stretch!
Any advice would be brilliant!
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