Milk Supply Dwindling Help

Hi S.,

Pumping full time sucks (no pun intended)! I did it with my first for several months because of latching problems (tongue related). I'm just wondering what kind of pump you're using--I used one rented from the hospital, and I know that they recommended a commercial grade one like that for full-time pumping. Also, I pumped a lot longer each session than the 15 minutes or so that everyone said it would take. Pumping even after nothing is coming out should stimulate more production. Also, like Michelle suggested, stress may be interfering with let down. Try to relax and think warm fuzzy baby thoughts! Good luck, and try not to feel bad when you do end up switching for whatever reason. I started the transition around the third month, and my first daughter is still loving, brilliant, happy--you know--all of that stuff that we want them to be. :)

When I took Lamaze classes, I was told to drink a dark beer if this issue occurred. Fortunately, I like beer. My breast felt full within the hour and all because of the natural grains in beer. Yes, my Lamaze instructor was a certified labor & delivery nurse. Good luck.

I had the same problems. my milk dwindled and eventually stopped by 6 months. Regardless of how hard I worked to keep it going. Don't feel bad if its stopping. The important thing is that you tried and did get your daughter your milk for almost 5 months. That's great. You've done all that you can so don't stress about it. If you have to go to formula you daughter will do fine. She's gotten lots of good stuff from you and she'll do great.

What kind of pump are you using? I used the Medela Pump in Style. My milk production dropped around the same time as yours and I turned the dial down to the lowest possible setting, and voila, I pumped a ton more milk. Just a thought to possibly try...good luck!

Our son also didn't latch well in the first three months, and I pumped exclusively (plus gave him formula for growth) for those months. He then decided he wanted to nurse, and he did get some milk straight from me until he was a year old, however I never produced much. I always figured he got the immune boosters and that from the small amount I gave him, and it was formula plus food which grew him. Stress can be a big factor, and I really understand how hard it is! Just know you're doing the best possible for her and she's going to be fine, no matter what you feed her.

Try getting Brewers Yeast and putting some in your decaf coffee or hot chocolate in the AM. Start with a little it is strong tasting, and then as you get used to it increase it each morning. Also get blackstrap molassas and put it in milk- adjust to your liking- this is not bad tasting. This worked for me, esp wehn I was working and stress started to decrease my milk supply! Hope this helps!

Try adding oatmeal to your diet. It seemed to help me with the same issue. Good luck!

I have heard that a pump still does not suck as hard as a baby's mouth. As they get older, a baby sucks harder, making the breast produce more. Maybe try putting your baby to your breast again. I had a friend who's baby had trouble latching on in the beginning and then she had the baby try to latch on again months later... babies muscles were stronger and he was able to latch on. Don't give up!

are you only pumping and not nursing? maybe the hormones arent working right if you arent actually putting the baby on the breast. Other than that I have no idea....

Try this... Actually decrease your night wakings... Actually sleep. Maybe 1 or 2 times a night. Actually sleeping makes more milk. Instead of increasing your number of pumpings increase your pumping sssions. Pump 20-25 minutes instead of 10-15. When you are pumping, I want you to cover yourself with a blanket or towel. Once you get the pump in place cover yourself so that you can not see the bottles and what amount you are pumping.... Wach t.v. or a video on the computer or listen to music. Something to distract you and not think about the pumping session. Then once your 25 minute timer goes off, look at what you have pumped. Also note that you are going to get less milk in the evening between 5 & 7 o'clock than any other time, so try to pump prior to this time and later in the night than evening. Try this; I bt you will see a difference. Good Luck & Congrats on being one of the few moms with the ability to pump and feed.

Two reasons: the pump isn't as efficient as the baby in stimulating supply, and around 4 months your body switches from hormonally-driven milk to demand-driven. If you want to boost your supply, you might need to add a few extra pumpings right now, since your baby would likely start nursing for longer periods at this age, particularly during a growth spurt.

Eat oatmeal (the regular kind, although instant will help a little), and flaxseed. Put brewer's yeast (not nutritional yeast, make sure it says brewer's on it) on your oatmeal, and sneak it into things like bread and cookies.

Good for you! I know this is really hard. Pumping is a lot more work than feeding at the tap, and it can be overwhelming at times. One friend of mine pumped exclusively for 11 months! Check out kellymom.com for more suggestions.

My milk supply always changes when I get my period. Possible?
Don't stress out. I don't know you, but from your post, it sounds like you are totally stressed and have breastfeeding/pumping on the brain all day. ;)
My daughter started breastfeeding less and wanted food at 5 months. We started rice cereal and squash or sweet potatoes during the day.
Do babies respond to changes from our body, their body, or both? Who really knows? Their sleep patterns change, pooping patterns, eating patterns, and perhaps your milk supply is responding to some changes too. But, don't fret, you are a good mama!

Make sure you pump like you would nurse: every 2 hours, 10 minutes at a time. Milk only dwindles when the demand dwindles or changes or hormones change (did you get your period back yet?). Not pumping at night can have a big impact as can going more than 3 hours without emptying your breast. Milk sometimes drops before or during your period as well, but then bounces back.

I know a mom who had a similar issue and she SWEARS by this stuff (way better than the fenugreek alone): http://www.positivelybreastfeeding.ca/shop/herbals/moremi...

Also (and don't laugh) a beer - dark ale - on occasion can really boost your supply.

Peace :)

Healthy nursing tea was the great remedy that increased my poor milk supply.

I know this might be late... Try latching again? Your daughter's much more developed, your nipples are much different after all this pumping, and I'm sure a free call to LaLeche would net some suggestions to help naturally.

Barring that, up your water -- you need AT LEAST 1 gallon a day to keep your milk up, to produce more during this growth "hump" from 4 mos to 8 mos, and then downhill again to 1 year. Keep a huge tumbler next to your pump to help out. Plus, "milk yourself" by "expressing" the milk with your hands from the back of your breast ducts to the front as you're pumping and leaning over/into the nozzles for gravity. You might also change-up your location to quiet and dark -- like exercise, you need to change-up your routine to get more:)

I pumped and breastfed while working fulltime with both kids to 15 mos -- YOU CAN DO IT! Many other great posts here to help:)