Breastfeeding, is this the end?

I'm in the same boat. I'm trying to drink more water and coconut water and oats to try to boost it back up but I'm not sure if it's a lost cause or not 😪

Have you been also making sure to keep up with regular hydration during the heat? I ask because it's very rare to have gone so long being so consistent and then all of a sudden have nothing to offer. If you truly don't want to stop I would keep offering but I have a strong suspicion your baby is just THIRSTY and your milk wasn't coming fast enough to quench her thirst as quickly as she wanted as you're needing more water intake to help keep your own supply up while not getting dehydrated yourself.

Maybe very thirsty? Try like 1 ounce and then breastfeeding more? And try to keep up your hydration.

Try power pumping that worked for me when my supply tanked ( barely nothing) when my middle child was 9 months due to baby lead weening

same! My go to foods to eat are green papaya and oats, and I found that they really helped my supply. But it’s not working this time 😩 sending you love and hugs x

hey, yes I have been drinking plenty of water to stay hydrated, I could always drink more! ahh, that is a very good point about my breastmilk wasn’t coming fast enough so that could have made her fussy. Thank you for pointing that out 🫶🏽

I will try this method for the next couple of days whilst I try to figure out how to increase my supply again. Thank you x

i will give this a go!!! I did feel like my supply was depleting as she was eating more solids! Thank you x

It might be a nursing strike! Get plenty of skin to skin, allowing baby to latch if they want to!

I would say if you’re giving bottles, make sure you are pace feeding them and have the slowest flow teat so that little one doesn’t get a bottle preference xx

I would contact the national breastfeeding helpline for advice- they're great. Or if you can see a breastfeeding consultant in person they can check things your HV may be able to refer you to one at the hospital but not sure how long the wait would be.

If I remember correctly my body adjusted to my son at this point (I.e. regulated itself and stopped feeling engorged and points or leaking. I didn't pump extra/have the same amount extra as you. It might be that your body has regulated itself now to provide enough but because your daughter is used to a very full breast it's different for her? Not sure.

I would highly recommend speaking with a professional asap to help. Also, you could try a different feeding position? Koala, rugby ball, cross arm, side lying down etc.

If you want to continue to feed I'd say as someone said above...be careful with the teat on the formula and gentle PACE feed. Ideally offer the breast first. If you can, have dad feed formula if possible.

P.s. it's understandably hard...my son had a severe tongue tie and it was insanely painful and the damage meant I might not have been able to feed him and I was surprised to be struck with such powerful emotion as the thought of not feeding. Don't let anyone dismiss those feelings ❤️ I'm sure a professional can figure out the issue, but highly recommend talking to the national breastfeeding helpline and a breastfeeding consultant asap. The quicker you act the more likely it can be sorted. Keep offering her the breast. It might also just be that they become more aware at 8 months and they do become a little fussy for a time. Xx

also you don’t have to stop. If you enjoy it and she does most of the time, there’s no reason that, if you need to go mostly to formula, you can’t breastfeed at all! Its not an either or 😊 even if you just do randomly or offer when she is upset for comfort!

I’m EBF and have a 10 week old and sounds like something might have been started with the whole formula thing. Did you agree with starting formula? The issue with formula feeding is that you are giving them an easier alternative and they don’t have to do anything to get milk, just suck from the teat… with breastfeeding they have to get the right latch, then suck to start the milk flowing, then be patient for it to increase and then after all that it is easier to digest so they are hungry quicker and want another feed sooner. They course will much rather the quicker option to getting milk especially when the teat allows a decent flow.

My son has been pulling but then he has done for the whole 10 weeks. He fusses, fights me and all. It’s worse in this heat too. He has plenty of wet nappies and gaining weight so is getting enough for sure.

Your journey doesn’t have to be over, make the bottle less enticing than the boob. Give less in the bottle with a slow flow teat and offer boob more

Are you also supplementing with solids? Now is the time if you haven’t already