Breastfeeding - Saint Paul,MN

Pump first thing in the morning when you have the most. I can pump 7 ounces in the morning and still have enough to feed my 3 month old daughter. I then pump 3 times at work, and if that was all I pumped, I probably wouldn't have enough. I also pump in the mornings on the weekends.

If that isn't an option, try some fenugreek (start with 3 pills 3 times a day and increase if needed), and extra water. When you pump, can you try to relax more, read a book, etc? I find that I pump more when my mind is in the right spot.

Pump extra after nursing him at home, and freeze it. After every breastfeeding session, pump. At first, you won't get much extra, but this will do a WORLD of good for your supply. Keep pumping even if nothing's coming out. Try to pump for an extra few minutes at work as well. And if all else fails, no one will fault you for having to supplement with formula once in a while :) Best wishes!!

When I went back to work, a similar thing happened, after a while the amount I pumped just started to lessen. I just had my second and am back to work again, so for now I'm pumping alot but I'm assuming the same thing will happen. I only work 3 days a week and what I always have done is pump before I go to bed to get some extra and freeze it and pump on my days off and weekends when I can. B/c I never seem to pump as much as she needs while I'm at work. I'm always a couple ounces short, so the extra I pump when I'm home makes up for it. I remember with my first he was exclusive breastmilk probably until 7 or 8 months and then I had to mix some formula with the breastmilk for a couple months and then towards a year I stopped pumping and when I wasn't there he would get formula. It's probably too late to do this, but I also pumped for the first four months while on maternity leave when I could and froze it to have a stash before going back to work. For now, I would say try to pump some extra when you're home and if it still isn't enough, you could always just mix the formula and breastmilk. Don't drive yourself crazy...it's already wonderful you were able breastfeed exclusively this long, so don't beat yourself up about having to supplement here or there with formula!! Breastfeeding moms already put alot of pressure on themselves and we seem to be so hard on ourselves as it is, so don't let it stress you out and if he gets to a point of needing one bottle of formula a day it's not the end of the world.

Kelly has great advice - I just want to reinforce the extra pumping time - pump at least ten minutes AFTER you get the very last drop. (yes, ten minutes of pumping with nothing coming out.) You may get a second letdown, but mostly what you'll do is signal to your breasts "baby wants more." Once your supply is back up, always pump a few minutes past the last drop. Even if you end up with extra, you can always freeze it - better to have too much than not enough. Your baby should still be getting at least three bottles a day - and if lunch is when he gets his solids, he should have a bottle first, then solids. Fenugreek is also useful, but you have to take a LOT - 2-4 capsules 3 times a day. You know you're taking enough when you start to smell like maple syrup (seriously.) It does work, though.

Good luck!

My baby is 7 months and I also pump twice a day. I've noticed a little drop in my supply also in the last month. What I have found is sometimes I can get a second letdown or if I have a lot on my mind, I pump less b/c I am anxious while pumping. I've realized that I need to relax during that pumping time b/c it does affect my production.

I hope that it's a simple fix for you. I too have had concerns but somehow it seems to work itself out. Good luck!

That's what my son ate at that age. My doctor did caution me not to give him too many solids (that was at his nine month, when he was eating 2 jars of baby food plus cereal) in order to keep him drinking his milk. My milk production was almost exactly like yours, (12 - 13 ounces early on, then down to 8ish when he started solids) though, and he was always satisfied. (FYI, he's ten months now and I only make about 6-7 ounces.) Keep doing what you're doing; and, if you're really concerned, try to pump an extra time during the day. I also did the mother's tea and fenugreek with my first, and it seemed to produce some results (although it was pretty minimal).

Hi B.,
I didn't read everyone's responses but her are a couple ideas for you. Keep in mind that the heat we have had locally lately is really dehydrating, so make sure you are keeping up with your liquid intake. Also Fenugreek helps mothers produce milk. Look for Mothers's Milk tea (traditional medicinals) or the Yogi' tea (my favorite) version of that, drink 3 cups a day, this will help your supply. Also, make sure you are eating enough too! think calm positive thoughts, this all helps. Best of luck!

I like what the other moms have said so far. You say nothing has changed in your lifesyle--but it has: you now have an older child to chase after!

Remember to nurse, nurse, nurse, whenever baby wants to! That's the best way to keep up your supply.

Also check your pump. A tiny little leak in the suction can make a world of difference in how much you get. If it is a battery pump, try replacing the batteries and see if that helps. Or try a different pump, could you borrow or rent one for awhile?

If you haven't already, talk to your local La Leche League leader and/or attend a meeting, and/or check out their website. Remember, this group "wrote the book" on breastfeeding: "The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding" (probably available at your library, or you can sometimes borrow from the LLL group library, you'll get the most recent edition there--I read tons of good stuff that way).

I seem to remember there are herbs that help with maintaining supply but I forget what they are.

Remember to stay well hydrated--do you drink coffee/tea at work? those will dehydrate you if you don't drink extra water to compensate.

Sounds like you are doing a great job! Hugs to you, and hope that helps a little!

K. Z.

Actually, many people mentioned increasing your liquids. Be careful not to drink too much though as you can actually decrease your supply by overhydrating. Add an extra pump session. It is very normal at 6 months to experience this as your breast tissue changes and your breasts do not store as much as they used to. This all comes from the lactation consultants I work with. Hang in there, you're doing a great job and giving your baby the best!

contact a local or nearby la leche league. lots of moms pump and have troubles so its likely that you will find someone who can help you; the leaders of la leche league are also GREAT resources.

pumping isnt the same as nursing. so its important that you always nurse first when you are with baby. it seems that you are pumping at work; this is great! :) just keep it up, and always nurse on demand with your baby, even on the weekends.

it might be beneficial to take a day or two off or make a long weekend or something, just to boost your supply. your child might be having a growth spurt, and you need to have the sucking there to make sure you match her needs! :) :)

congratulations being so dedicated to giving your child the BEST that you can give her!!! :) :) :)

www.llli.org!

This same thing happened to me with my first. I just saw my supply dwindle and dwindle until it became a waste of my time. Back then, I just got frustrated and quit- not researching all the tips and tricks to know if it would work. I think mentally I was ready to quit- but that was before I knew how much formula cost! Good luck revamping your supply!

I have had 3 kids all breastfed and my last was totally pumped and bottlefed (no formula ) and I have worked fultime with all three and nursed until they were all 12 months old. Oh my first was bottlefed by 6months old (again NO FORMULA)

Ok now that you know my history I will tell you my suggestions/what I did.

You already have a great supply going so it will not take much.
1. Pump extra after each feeding (10 min for now)
2. When you are just pumping at work 20 min, do not stiop this time it should always be 20 min. (it is not the baby so it is not quiet the same)
3. Mothers milk tea or take fenugreek.
4 Drink LOTS, of water, remember you need 8 8oz glasses even when you are not nursing and now add how ever much you think he is eating too. So if you think he eats 6 oz every 4 hours you need to drink 6 oz on top of your normal intake every 6 oz.
5. relax when you pump, take pictures of the baby to look at while you pump; or you can call the baby and here him eat at the same time as you pump, or even if he happens to cry while you are pumping wow that will hep your let down. Record his eating cry/noises and ware a head set to listen to him.
6. get lots of rest (mental as physical)
7. Make sure your bra is not too small
8. NO SAGE in your food, it is known to dry you up.
9. I have known people who are on birth controll that start to dry up around 5 months.

Do not hold too much on your success, I do have a friend that also has 3 kids and she had tried, she pumped like crazy, her lactations consultant and myself tried everything we can think of and still by 8 months she dried up. Sometimes your body has other planes.

I was formula fed and I am ok, so are many YES BREAST IS BEST, my kids NEVER had formula, but if you must that is what it is there for.

Good Luck and Good For You!!!

Although I did not work with my first, she slept for a LONG time at night and I was worried about my milk supply going down. I pumped every night before going to bed (several hours after her last feed). That not only maintained my milk supply, it gave me some extra milk to have on hand. I might also add an extra pumping session on the weekend when you have a bit more time. Best!