When my milk supply regulated, I definitely noticed some changes. First of all, my breasts didn’t feel as full as they did in the early days of breastfeeding. They were softer and not as engorged. I remember in the beginning, it felt like my breasts were constantly swollen and bursting with milk, but as my supply regulated, that feeling went away.
Another change I noticed was that I didn’t leak as often as I did before. In the early weeks, it seemed like my breasts had a mind of their own and would randomly let down and leak milk. But as my supply regulated, those spontaneous letdowns became less frequent. I still had the occasional leak here and there, especially if I went longer between feedings or pumping sessions, but it wasn’t as constant as before.
One of the biggest signs that my supply was regulating was that my overall milk supply decreased. In the beginning, it felt like I had an endless supply of milk and could easily fill several bottles in one pumping session. But as my baby got older and more efficient at nursing, my body adjusted and produced just the right amount of milk to meet their needs. It was a bit disconcerting at first to see fewer ounces in my pumping sessions, but I learned to trust that my baby was getting what they needed.
I also noticed that my baby seemed more satisfied after nursing sessions. In the early weeks, they would often nurse for long periods of time, seemingly never getting enough. But as my supply regulated, they would nurse for shorter periods and seem content and satisfied afterwards. This was a reassurance to me that my body was providing enough milk for my baby.
The signs of my milk supply regulating were quite noticeable. My breasts felt different, I leaked and randomly let down less often, and my overall milk supply decreased. It was a natural progression in my breastfeeding journey and a sign that my body was adjusting to meet my baby’s needs.