Is my milk drying up?

Hi just wondering if any of you breastfeeding expert lovelys might have any advice. My 5 month old daughter is taking a bottle during the day with most of her meals now. Only 3 ounces or so though. I am hoping to have her completely weaned onto bottle by about 6 months. She will not take a bottle at night though so I am still feeding her at these times. I am feeding her at about 6pm, 10/11pm, 3/4am and 7am (looks like she is taking most her milk intake at night, i know!) The problem is during the day I feel really empty. I am worried that my milk is drying up as i'm not feeding her through the day and that I will not have enough to feed her at night. Should i pump during day? I am hoping to stop breastfeeding so is not pumping a way to let things stop naturally? or will my body adjust and know when i will be feeding and adapt my milk supply? All very confusing! Also, when I do pump my milk, it is really water, almost looks like murky water with only the tiniest layrer of darker milk at top when it separates. my milk used to look really creamy? Is my milk not nutricious enough for my daughter now? Sorry for the long ramble! Any thoughs would be appreciated!x

Any breastmilk is far more nutritious than formula. It contain immunofactors for a start. My advice would be to continue the night feeds for as long as possible to give her this cover as she grows. Possibly not what you were wanting to hear, but then you did ask.

A baby is far more efficient at milking a breast than a pump, or hand expressing will ever be. Between 4 and 5 months the breast stop producing milk prior to your baby demanding it and become so efficient that they can produce it as the baby sucks, this is why many women have a crisis at this time. If you know its going to happen it doesn't faze you.

Keep doing what you are doing, it sounds like you are doing a fab job.

Thanks for the advice With Woman. I don't mind giving her the night feeds I was just worried that as I wasn't feeding or pumping during the day that I would have less milk for her at night but I suppose some babies sleep for 12 hours at night and mums don't pump.x

:bunnysorry: Didn't realise! I still go to breastfeeding group so will ask on wednesday. Was really just to see what people thought about pumping to keep milk supply up for night feeds. Thanks anyway!xx

Thanks Iris. That does sound like what's happening with me, I do get fuller at night. I will be sure to speak with health visitor at support group as well.xx