Incognita

My little one is 5 months old. In the evenings, I seem to run out of milk. My baby gets very upset and I have to wait about 30 minutes until I have milk again. Is this normal? Is there anything I can do to remedy this?
Thank you.

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Incognita

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starstarstarstarstar 		Evaluating Your Milk Supply
by: Katrina Fuller

First of all, is your milk supply really low? Many mothers assume their milk supply is low when it really is not. If your baby is voiding on a regular basis and gaining weight, then you do not have a problem with your milk supply. It is very common for babies to be fussy and nurse more often in the evening, which can be a sign of cluster feeding. Cluster feeding is when babies space feedings closer together at certain times of the day and farther apart at other times of the day. Please be aware that this behavior is normal and gradually goes away as your baby gets older.

In your case, supplementation, which can actually decrease your milk supply and may not change your baby's behavior, is not recommended. Research has shown that milk supply is not lower in the evening; in fact, the fat content is actually higher. However, the milk flow can be slower in the evening, causing your baby to be fussy at the breast. Others researchers attribute evening fussiness to baby's immature nervous system and recommend soothing techniques such as the 5 S's: swaddle, side/stomach, shhh, swing, and suck. Perhaps your baby only needs to comfort nurse more often, rather than consume more milk.



In Peace, Love, and Light,
Katrina Fuller, CCCE, CLE, CLD, BPC

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