Normally I can get 5+ oz from one side when expressing but lately I've been struggling to get 3oz from both sides. Harvey has been feeding more often during the night this week, which might account for some of it, but not during the day so I don't understand why I'm having to express 2-3 times just to get one feed now. I've upped my water intake again and am trying to eat well. Does anyone have any ideas?

Has your expressing less happened at the same time as Harvey taking less during the day? Or have I read that wrong? That's what it could be, because the more they feed the more milk is produced, so I guess it stands to reason that if he is drinking less during the day, less is produced.

I read somewhere that having a bath with your baby can increase your milk (not sure how true that is though).

Apparently you should drink about 40oz of fluid a day, and remember you need 500 extra calories a day too..

Also, even if you are having to express a bit more often, as long as you keep doing that for a few days, it should encourage your milk to be produced to the volume you need again. The whole demand and supply theory I guess. But it does take your body a couple of days to re-adapt to a bigger demand.

I hope thats a little bit helpful, and you get back to your usual 5oz really soon xx

The bath would work because of skin to skin contact. Lots of skin to skin will help increase milk, but doesn't have to be done in the bath. You can also lay in bed or wherever, with both of your top off and baby in a diaper. Then lay him on your chest for a while. Just chat, play, and chill.

Make sure you are getting plenty of protein in addition to the fluids. Also, let him nurse and suckle as much as he wants to make sure your supply keeps up.

Keep up the extra pumping if you want to express extra. If you slack on it even for a few days, your milk will adjust to his needs and won't produce enough to both feed him and produce extra (but he'll still be fine!).

Also, are you pumping at the same time everyday and relaxed when you do? I found that I produce different amounts of milk at different times in the day.

One last thing -- I had the same thing at one point... an unexplained decrease in pumping. I was getting 10 oucnes when I pumped for about a week. Then all of the sudden, I would pump and only get about 4... I was worried for a few days, but just kept at it. I picked up again and now I get 6-10 depending on the time of day and how much LO has fed before I pump. Never did figure out what happened there.

Just don't give up!

GersPrincess, he's not feeding less during the day. He has been feeding more often during the night but still having his usual amount in the daytime. I'll give the extra skin to skin time a go.

TigerLady, I normally express in the early hours after Harvey's night feed but I've started pumping in the evening too since he's been feeding more at night and my boobs haven't been so full as a result. If Harvey is in a settled mood then I'll pump in the mornings too. It's good to hear things went back to normal for you.