Breastfeeding: Supply anxiety after mastitis

Hi I’m over 7 weeks postpartum and have recovered from mastitis recently which caused a drop in my supply unfortunately and I had to top baby up with formula…

I now breastfeed him and then if he’s still unsettled or hungry I offer a bottle to check if he needs it… usually works as I am then reassured.

I’ve been building my supply up slowly I think as baby is taking less and less formula over the last few days, but I find myself constantly worrying about how much I’m producing. Especially in the afternoons when he’s hungry and often unsettled after feeds (think my supply drops then)

He’s doing a normal amount of wees and poos so I’m happy there but wanted some advice if anybody’s been through this ?

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Hi, I am sorry you had to go through that, it’s so painful, I’ve had it a few times. I can only tell you that your milk supply will definitely come back, it just takes a few days. I remember one day I woke up and pumped my normal amount before the mastitis, it was like it never happened. Hang in there, you are doing great! Xx

My little girl is also 7 weeks and I've just had mastitis. However, I've been using formula top ups since a few days old as my supply was insufficient due to difficulties getting her to latch.

Managed to stop top ups after every feed but defo still need them late afternoon- tiredness etc absolutely affects my supply.

Not noticed poorer supply since the mastitis but if you were feeling more tired and unwell I'm sure this could have affected it temporarily.

Totally understand the constant worry of whether you're producing enough! It's tough but sounds like you're doing a great job!

Thanks for sharing and ❤️

If you’re still giving baby a bottle I would pump at the same time as the feed that way you’re telling your body that baby needs milk at this time, and within a week or so your body will up the supply naturally, then you can BF on that feed. You’re doing amazing 🫶🏻

Thanks Nicole, I’m breastfeeding at every feed and then if needed topping him up with a bottle if he’ll take it. I will start pumping again that’s a good tip… would you recommend a good pump ? I’ve been told Elvie is great.

The Elvie has mixed reviews purely for the fact it’s so expensive for it just being a wearable! I had the momcozy s9 pros and they were amazing. I mainly BF but also expressed so my partner could feed my son too and they gave me the most milk output out of all pumps I tried. I’d suggest going for something around the price range of the momcozy in case you’re not 100% on them 🥰

Spectra s1- it's a hospital grade double pump with chargeable battery and handy nightlight!

in our community

Over supply of milk

I am nearly 5weeks postpartum and I have such a big over supply of BM.
Has anyone donated / sold their supply, if so where do you recommend for this?

AITA

In the uk there is an outbreak of meningitis, in a specific area mainly. My BD has family from that area and decided to go and meet up with them, I said if he does then he cannot have contact with the kids for 7-10 days after incase he picks anything up. Am I being over dramatic? I reallyyy don’t want my young kids getting anything serious

I think its fair

Me and my partner agreed to sleep in 1 day of the weekend.
He doesn't find it fair to look after both kids (my 4 year old isnt his) while i sleep so he looks after the baby while i sleep and my toddlers at his dads and ill look after both the next day.
Straightaway it was pretty unfair as i let him sleep in until he wakes up 10-12
He wakes me up when baby starts fussing because he wants milk (doesnt need it)
I cant pump as i dont supply enough.
So i get woken at 9/9:30 to feed baby then i get him sleep then theres no point sleeping in as my toddlers being dropped off.
I also find it unfair that i get both kids to sleep most night, i get my toddler to sleep everyday hes home (4/5days) and i get my baby to sleep most nights with the exception of maybe twice a month as his dad struggless then about 95% of his thru the day naps.
I have also been unwell for a few months (tumor scare) and am waiting 18 weeks to see a specialist so im obviously petrified for that, so unbelievably tired and alot of aches and pains, specifically these pounding headaches ive been having.
After i had been up til 11:30 getting both kids to sleep lastnight and my partner falling asleep at 10 then him ignoring the baby cries all morning until my toddler woke up im fed up slammed to door and rold him not to expect to sleep in unless he gets the baby to sleep the night b4.
I keep having issues with him not feeling the wet from baby being sick or weeing himself or being able to smell it do about 98% of the time hes given to me i have to clean him up n change him.
Including at night, we agreed my partner would change nappies (1 a night at 5am) while i feed (2,4,5,6:30) but every night when i get him hes pissed through and my partner gets annoyed when i wake him up n moan about it.
Then the morning after hes annoyed at how much washing there is (thats his job) and moans about how often i change myself (baby constantly shits thru and sicks on me) and baby
Honestly im just so tired all the time

Baby clothes

Just out of curiosity, why do parents love zipper onesies?

Don’t get me wrong, I tried zipper ones it’s easy to zip in and out when putting it on the first time and taking it out, but I find it difficult when changing diapers especially when baby is asleep.

I prefer those kimono style buttons where it’s easy to button or too down button with crotch snaps.

Is everyone thinking the same or different? Lol

This might rattle some people

Ok, this might get a bit long, and a bit bumpy, so get comfy and buckle up.

So about a week or 2 ago, there was a post on here regarding sleepovers. Not letting their child go to them as you can't trust who'll be at the house etc.

Now, given recent incidents in nurseries and schools, plus my own experience back in the 90s, I am more concerned about sending my child to nursery and later school than I am to a friend's house for a sleep over.

The other day a man was jailed for abusing children at the nursery he worked at. A woman has been arrested for sleeping with an underage boy and then getting pregnant by a different underage boy while on bail for the first offence.

Young girls and boys get sexually harassed and bullied when at school, not all of them. But more than you think. And not just by other kids, but by adults who we as parents are trusting to look after our kids.

A sleepover, is a more controlled environment, with only a handful of people coming into contact with your child. A school, a club etc there can be 100s of people coming into contact with your child.

I was targeted at 7 years old by the owner of a prominent private school. Thankfully, I wasn't SA'd. In year 5 of primary school, I started to develop early, I was harassed by the boys and teachers made remarks about how my uniform didn't fit right, always "adjusting it" around my chest and legs.

Years 7-9 of secondary school were hell. But it was all under the guise of "we're just messing around". A teacher twanging my exposed bra strap (none uniform day) is not "messing around".

Boys pinning me down trying to rip open my shirt to see my breasts.

I fear for my daughter. I hope she takes after my father's family, flat chested.

We need to educate all our children, what is acceptable behaviour. And to come to us, as their parents should ANYTHING happen.

Car seat

No idea which car seat to get next. Please hit me with your recommendations, 1year+ (preferably rear facing or 360). Thank you 🫶🏻