Expert: ruth kraft - 5/22/2009

Question
I recently had my baby about a week ago. He is in ICU so I
am having to pump for milk. When I first started I was
getting ridiculously large amounts (anywhere from 4-12 oz
from both breasts together) but I haven't exactly pumped
every 3 hours and now my supply is low and I am only
getting 2-4 oz from both breasts together and it seems like
its decreasing each time. Is my supply stopping? how can I
increase it again? Also, at first my breasts used to feel
large and full of milk like they were hard when you touched
them and now they feel soft as they were before pregnancy.
what does this mean? will i still be able to produce milk?

Answer
hello :) it is odd to make so much  milk in the first few days, however, it just means your body is working quite well. which is a good thing. Your milk decreased because you dont need that many ounces at a time and is adjusting to what your baby needs. you can build it back by nursing him often and pumping when you cant nurse him. your milk will not go away unless you stop nursing /pumping.  the softness is just because your body is adjusting, and nothing to worry about. milk comes from supply and demand :) so keep pumping and all will be well!  good luck!