Thought Breast Milk Was Finishing at 9 mo....UPDATE

There is a tea that you can get from the health food store. I am sorry that I dont know the name of it but if you tell them what you are looking for they can help.Good luck.

Just keep nursing on demand, the pump is not a good indicator for how much baby is getting. Check out the site www.kellymom.com for some encouragement and advise. Gotta run it's nap time for my kiddos.

I have always heard that the baby can get MORE than the pump can. So I wouldn't worry. If he is not crabby and growing your are doing just fine.

I think you've gotten some good advice here. With my 1st child I was working and pumped regularly and got up to 8 oz, but with my 2nd I was home and rarely pumped and even when I felt really full, bordering on engorged, I could barely get 1 oz. I guess my body just wasn't used to the pump.

The one thing I didn't see mentioned was to check the diapers. If your little guy has wet diapers, and you're not giving him a lot of water and formula, then he's getting enough milk. That was what I was told to watch if I was concerned. Good luck!

I have noticed that if I don't pump for a while, my breast no longer are used to it's pumping pattern. It them take forever to pump milk. If you baby is gaining weight and still nurses 5 to 6 times a day, you are okay! Your breast will always make enough milk as long as your baby nurses. They just aren't making as much anymore...because you haven't been pumping and your child has decreased his feedings. But they are making enough.

Hi first time Mom, I am not an expert but breast feed both my children who are now in their late teens. It sounds like you are doing a fabulous job of introducting solids and sounds like your son is doing very well at 9 months old. My recommendation is to drink a lot more fluids and keep offering him the breast. I worked full time when I had my children but was able to pump at work. I breast fed both till they were 6 months old but found that as they ate solid food they wanted less milk. Also it sounds like you have developed a good routine with his breast feedings and your milk supply has adjusted accordingly. And travelling between 2 countries for you sounds rather stressful. I spoke with our dietitian at work a long time ago and she said children after 9 months old could drink 2 % milk. Keep up the good work, I am an advocate for breast feeding, more people should do it. I called La Leche when I was having problems and they were wonderful, perhaps, give them a call. Good Luck!

I nursed my second daughter for 11 months and had issues trying to keep my milk coming. I was told to use Fenugreek, which is a vitamin/herb type pill. It is natural and will not harm your baby. I was told about it by the lactation consultant at Delnor Hospital (so a reliable source). I don't remember the extact amount to take. I'm sure if you call Delnor they could tell you, but I know you take something like 2 tablets, 3times a day. Then you slowly cut back till you get to 1 in the morning and 1 at night. It really helped me continue nursing my daughter as long as I did. Plus, the consultant told me that once solids are introduced, babies will cut back on nursing. I hope this helps you.

You're not going to be as "full" as when he was younger. If he seems satisfied after nursing, you're probbably making enough for him (remember he's able to nurse more out than the pump).

Buy Mother's Milk Tea from Whole Foods and around six cups a day (this really helps with your supply) and buy More Milk Plus (herbal tincture) from Whole Foods or a Lactation Consultant. You place the drops under your tongue and leave it there for 30 seconds. Both of these help your body produce more milk.

K.
Nursed my three boys

Do you need to pump? Are you back at work? If not, your breasts are simply responding with a shorter supply and a shorter demand. To increase your supply take a supplement of Brewer's Yeast and try Fenugreek. Also make sure you are eating and drinking enough - especially eating enough carbs. I have been BFing my girl for 26 months and we have had peaks and valleys with the supply.

Hello,
I nursed my 3 children each for one year or more. I also noticed a decrease of milk supply when solids were introduced. However when you pump you will get less than when your child is on the breast. That is what I experienced, and learned from the lactation consultants at the hospital. If your child is not growing, I would discuss with your pediatrician, but go with your gut instinct. I would. Good luck.

As long as you're nursing your baby frequently - 5x/day sounds about right for this age - you're doing fine. What you pump isn't really an indicator of how much he's getting. That said, I would start nursing him BEFORE his meals rather than after. That way he'll be hungrier and will suck harder and stimulate your milk a bit more. The fact that he continues to suck well tells me that he's probably getting something out of the deal. Even if it's mostly comfort and a little milk I think that's ok. If you want to up your supply, try pumping AFTER you nurse him (seems pointless, I know, but it works after a few days). Also, stay well hydrated, eat oatmeal for breakfast, and offer him your breast a little more often. Sounds like you're doing great!

If you haven't pumped in a while, your supply, I'm sure has been adequate to supplement your child. If it wasn't, you would have been aware of an agitated, colicky child. Your supply adjusts accordingly (at least, mine did). When my children required less, my body adjusted to that. Sounds like you are doing great and offering him a wonderful variety. Keep doing what you are doing. "Balancing between two countries" just curious...which?

Best of luck!

Hi L.- I nursed all 4 of my kids until they were around 14 mo. I wouldn't think your milk is drying up just because when you pump you aren't getting much. If your baby seems satisfied he is getting enough. Your body can just be out of practice in the area of pumping. I would not let this get you worried. After my kids started solids they started self weaning around 12 mo and were done by 14. I also wouldn't assume your milk is drying up and get on the formula train (unless you want to). You are doing a great job and just keep it up!
Beth

Living between two countries, wow.

Anyway, I measured my milk and had the same situation as you're having, only I was down to that small amount of milk when my baby was only 6 weeks old. Same thing had happened to my mother (with six babies) and my sister (with two babies). Still, oh, the guilt I felt....

I definitely added formula to her diet. Now she's strong and healthy, just turned 22! And formula these days is so much closer to breast milk than it was back then.

My layperson's advice is to add formula AND continue breastfeeding until your little fella is a year old. One year was your breastfeeding goal, and he still likes to nurse even without getting lots of milk, so no need to stop unless you choose to. And to make sure he's getting enough milk, formula can be a supplement to your breast milk until he's one.

If you haven't pumped in a long time, you will not be able to pump much. Your body got used to the baby nursing and probably just isn't letting down for the pump. Don't worry :)

Hi, I would guess that your breasts just aren't used to the pump. I bet your baby is getting enough milk. I have an 11.5 month old and after not pumping for awhile I can't get anything out of my breast, but she gets plenty. She even got so much the other night she popped off coughing and sputtering (this used to happen all the time, but she is better at swallowing then she used to be). Anyway, as long as the baby is content nursing, not pulling or fussing at the breast (a sign that they are not getting what then want), and has a good number or wet diapers I would guess he is getting plenty of milk from you.

L.:

what you can pump is neither an indicator of the milk in your breast or the milk your child can get when nursing.

just relax and do what you have been doing.

P., RLC, IBCLC
Breastfeeding and Parenting Solutions

Hi L.
I am A. J., MN,APN/CNS,IBCLC,FILCA. I would be happy to review the changes breastmilk makes as your baby gets older. Colostrum is about 35 cal/oz, initial breastmilk (1-3mo) is 20 cal/oz and now that your baby is older, your milk caloric content is going back up to around 26-28cal/oz. That's why breasts feel softer, babies feed quicker and yet babies are thriving!! Also, your baby is getting other calories from table food so doesn't need so much milk. You've done a great job but can call ###-###-#### if you have more questions. Thanks, A.

First, congratulations on continuing to breastfeed! I think it is absolutely possible to keep going until your son is 1 year. I'm only going by personal experience here, but you make only enough milk for what your baby needs. I'm down to nursing my daughter twice a day and I can hear her swallowing so I know she's getting enough milk. I can also skip a noon feeding once in a while and not feel engorged at all. And as long as your baby is not showing any signs of dehydration, he's getting enough. Check the wet diapers and you'll be able to tell. If you're really worried about increasing for pumping, there's a Mother's Milk tea you can buy. I found mine at Dominick's, but I never looked for it anywhere else. It's also available online. Good luck!

This is very common when your baby starts to go to solids. The only way to increase milk production (I have been down this road) is to continue to pump or feed more frequently. Even though you are only getting 1 oz now if you continue to pump then that will increase. Also, remember that once on solids they don't need as much milk because they are getting other sources of vitimins.