BFing question-can your milk "dry up" and disappear

[LittleMissMe]

Or is this normal? I don't "fill up" like I used to but Dylan usually seems ok with his feeds. A few times he's become upset cause I sometimes take a while to let down and he won't stay on long enough to stimulate it. Do your boobs stop filling up after a while? I'm worrying that my milk is drying up as a friend said this is why she stopped bf ing. I'm struggling to express cause when I do I'm almost completley "empty" for the rest of the day.

Is this a sign of my milk going away then?

[Leahbird]

hi hun
Dont worry as long as you are feedign your milk wont dry up. After awhile your baby becomes more adapt to feeding and therefore takes a bigger volume in a shorter feed. Your body matches this so therefore you dont feel as full or leak as you prob did in the first few months.

It is just part of the process and you defo wont dry up. Alot of people mistake it for this and there for stop feeding.

Ladybug will be able to give the correct info here as I think she is a local BF advocate.

Keep going you are doing so well
xxxx

[ladybug]

Why don't you spend a little time 'bonding' then stimulate the feed yourself before attempting to put him on? You need to radio tune yourself iykwim lol. Also, stroke from outside of boob down towards nipple area (it's the skin thing that can help stimulate the milk. These are the kind of things you need to do if you're expresing when your baby isn't present). Don't wait on him wailing before a feed, or preparing like that won't be possible. Feed from both sides each feed. Wait til he comes off the first side himself, offer it again if you want, then offer the other side.

I don't really feel full before feeds either. Only if there is a big gap. Other than that they feel normal which is cr ap cause I so wanted big boobs lol

To increase supply, spend time with your baby skin to skin, in the bath and in bed etc when you can. Also, try to feed more frequently. Also, you could try to express a little after each feed, but it does sound like you're like me and feel completely empty after feeds. What you could do is express from the other side after the morning feed, when you're theoretically at your fullest (but does need a baby that sleeps for a while). For the first couple of days you might feel a little empty when feeding from that side, just offer him the other side too. Your body will get used to the increased demand and produce more.

Also, make sure you're drinking plenty of water.

Your milk isn't going away hon, you're just producing the right amount of it

I'll have a look at my wee book and see if there is anything on slow letdown xxx

[isabellasmum]

After a couple of months I stopped feeling 'full' and did worry the same.

The milk was still there but think your body has learnt the right amount to make so there's no extra. When I started expressing I got hardly anything but I did it every day and it kept increasing.

I wouldn't worry at all as it's just a sign your supply has settled to match what Dylan is taking.

[LittleMissMe]

thanks so much for the reasurrance, I was starting to get upset about it! Always had loads of milk when BFing Imogen but she fed every couple of hours sometimes more often the entire time she BF so maybe thats why. I'll start expressing after his morning feed see if I get much. Thanks again-so happy now!!!