Another Breastfeeding Question...

Having to pump will often decrease your supply. Baby just nurses different and gets more, usually, I think. Depending on how much you're getting out wach time you pump, I would say that it could be white bc your milk comes out in different levels. First it's the fatty stuff (I think?) and then it's the part that is more filling and has all the nutrients. Maybe I got them backwards... I don' have a lot of success pumping (3 kids, 5 different pumps, and I still can't get more than 2 oz in 30 min) so I usually get the white milk and stuff...
Good luck!

stress can play a role, but when was your baby born? it may have been more collostrum color in the beginning and now is becoming whiter bc that is your real milk. (and then it changes again the longer you bf). feel free to email me offline too for questions- just finished successfully breastfeeing for 13 mos. and i am happy to help!!

Milk changes as your baby grows & also throughout the day. Your milk may appear a different color from day to day. Don't worry about the milk that you are pumping. Your baby is most likely getting exactly what he needs from the breast.

Also, your milk will tend to have less fat in it in the morning (but most people are able to pump more in the morning). Make sure that you are pumping long enough to get the fatty hind-milk.

How old is he? If your baby is old enough for solids I would especially not worry about the fat content of your milk while you are at work. If the fat content is lower, he will simply drink more until he is full. I always try to send extra bottles to daycare & just rotate them to be used first the next day if they are not used.

The transition back to work most likely had something to do with it. Make sure that you are continuing to eat properly, drink plenty of water and get as much rest as you can. Breast feed as often as you can b/c that stimulation of a baby's suckle causes an increase in production in your milk ducts that no breast pump can simulate. I know I never really felt "empty" with a pump like I did when my kids would breast feed.
Also try using Mother's Milk Tea, Fenugreek or some other supplement to keep you milk production high.

A. Clark, mom of 4 crazy and fun-loving kids ages 6,4,2,and 1

At 5 or 6 months you milk will go from looking like buttermilk to more like 1% pumping moms see this more then non pumping moms! just make sure your little one is have wet diapers and if he is exclusively then don’t worry to much about the poop, babies can go a week with out pooping with all they have is breast milk. Your baby doesn’t want milk from a bottle b/c feeding is more then just food time. It’s a high bonding mommy time if you are working keep having the babysitter try and try breast-friendly bottles. Milk changing and your baby preferring you is normal just keep up the breastfeeding and good job!

Your milk does change over time but should still be nutritous beyond the color. I found during nursing that my child wouldn't eat from the bottle because the nipples collapsed. I had to search for firm bottle nipples because my child was a healthy nursor. My child also turned away and nursed less vigorously when I ate certain foods like cabbage & broccoli. The gassy aspect of them transferred over too. I learned that certain foods aided in wanting to nurse too long, apples, pears, bananas. You might try looking at what you are consuming and take notes to the natural nursing process of your child. Then pump milk directly after to see if you still get the rejection of the bottle. Then try new nipples cuz 5 months is early to stop a bottle as a supplement and too early for loads of solids. Although each child is different...I ate whole milk from 2 weeks forward. Hope this helps.

Maybe you aren't pumping long enough to get to the rich hind milk?

I assume that you are also the one who's 5mon old is rejecting the bottle.

Here's a thought. GO ahead and pump. Have that milk available in case he decides to be willing to accept it or to add to soft foods.

Then when you are home, Nurse him more than ever. Your body will compensate, and probably already is.

Good luck!

I agree with the response about your body possibly responding to changes in your baby's needs, but you might also look at your own diet. the same thing happened to me with my daughter, and my doctor asked me what i was eating. of course, i was trying to drop my baby weight by going back to my old healthy eating habits, and it was working for the weight, but he told me i was essentially producing the equivalent of skim milk! he had me drink 2% milk instead of skim and use small amounts of butter when cooking, and had me eat ice cream for dessert (oh, twist my arm! ;-) - all to boost my fat intake slightly - and that seemed to work.

breast milk changes over time - "mature" breast milk resembles skim milk.

You milk does change as your baby grows....it changes to fit your babies' needs, so that is why it might look different. As for him not wanting the bottle, it's not uncommon for little ones to lose interest in nursing or the bottle when they start solids....the new stuff is just so much more interesting to them!! He may regain interest in it again. Also, since he has started solids, he may just be needing a little less milk than before, but still enjoy his nursing time with you. Just follow his lead...if he doesn't seem hungry or thirsty & has plenty of wet/poopy diapers, then he's just fine. :-)

Your milk supply shouldn't go down if you continue pumping as frequently and in the same amounts as your baby eats. Breast milk changes as your baby changes-not like formula that always is the same. So don't worry about how it looks. Your baby may just prefer the breast, but he will again drink from the bottle eventually if you keep trying. Hope that helps!

G.,
You're doing a great job!! I would like to encourage you to try breastea you get it online and it is the best stuff for increasing your milk supply. You go to this site and order it. www. breastea.com
Try not to stress over anything and continue to keep offering him milk whether through a bottle or nursing.You may also try a sippie cup. There are many that have a spout similar to a nipple. It's worth a shot. He may be teething and sometimes that makes them not want to eat no matter what it is. Also get int touch with your local lactation consultant they are wonderful and always are eager to answer your questions and help any way they can!

Many blessings!
A.

it changes. your milk changes not only wiht what you eat, but, stress, activities, supply and demand. and it changes to suit the needs of your growing baby. the nutrients are differnt from the infant/first bron milk to an 18 month old. your body just knows what to do. god is amazing.