I started spotting 2 days ago, which lasted for about a day and a half. This is the first time since my lochia stopped that I have had anything going on like that... Yesterday morning when I tried pumping before going to work, I was barely able to get 1 1/2 oz! I used to be able to pump 6 oz, just from one side. Luckily, I had some milk stored, so my SO had something to feed my DD while I was gone. This morning I wasn't even able to get 1 oz. I have been trying to pump all day to get enough to feed her through tomorrow, and so far I have only gotten 4 oz all together (I was pumping after each feeding...) I know that part of the problem is that I have a hard time with the "letdown" but I have also noticed a significant drop in the supply itself. Is this connected with my spotting? I have heard that supply will drop when breastfeeding mothers get their period, so maybe that is what is going on... I already eat oatmeal regularly, and when I tried taking fenugreek I broke out with a really weird rash... I stopped taking it and it went away so I'm thinking I must be allergic to it or something. (boo.) Is there anything else I can do to boost my supply? At the rate we are going, we will only have enough to feed her through tomorrow! Also, if it turns out that I do have to supplement with formula do I need to consult with her pediatrician, or do I just find one that seems to fit her needs? (She is almost 6 months, BTW... We do give her cereal, but only a little bit for practice after her late nap ~ I really don't want to rely on it to fill her up...) Any recommendations on formula types would be appreciated... Preferably something without dairy, she tends to get painfully gassy with dairy. Thanks mommas!
BTW... I put her to breast when I am home, but she still needs 2-3 bottles to get her through while I am at work... I usually pump one bottle's worth while at work, and I have been pumping one at night and one in the morning for the last couple months... It was working really well until recently. :(
My midwife prescribed reglan when I had supply issues. There are mixed opinions about it, some say it doesn't really increase supply, but it might be worth a try. You might take it for just a few weeks and then taper off.
Also recommend pumping more often, even if you're not getting much each time. Every bit adds up and will help you hopefully get back to where you were supply wise.
Hang in there!
I had the same problem a few weeks ago and asked a similar question. I got great responses and from the responses I started taking the herbal supplement More Milk Plus. It does have some fenugreek in it but it has other things to so maybe you wont experience the same rash that you did with the pure fenugreek pill.
A lactation consultant answered my question and informed me that drinking a beer would also help. That the wheat in the beer is amazing when it comes to boosting breast milk supply. And that as long as it was only one beer it wasnt going to be enough to effect the baby.
I had really good success with both. Maybe you might too.
This is my second child and with my first I supplemented with formula when he was closer to a year old. I used Similac Advanced, I dont know if it without dairy but my son did really well on it.
good luck to you.
If possible, see if you can manage some additional times in which she can nurse for a few days. Take a day off from work? Have DH bring her to the office on your lunch hour? Also, call La Leche League.
And re-read Riley's answer.
LOTS of fluids (make sure you're peeing CLEAR)... and if you're spotting, you may need to up your proteins, ideally proteins with irons (so steak for example, or eggs and spinach).
To know... although you may already... how much you can pump in now way reflects how much your baby is nursing. ((I was a prime ex: of that... my son nursed apx 20oz each feeding, I wetnursed for a friend in a pinch with no problem, but I could never pump more than an ounce... and boy oh boy did the lactation consultants try. I had an embarrassment of riches and would have loved to donate if we could have found a durn pump)).
Since you USUALLY get about 12 oz, and your supply dropped, it's more likely situational... so drink yourself sloshy and nurse nurse nurse nurse. The BEST thing for increasing supply is a baby's mouth. (Another is being out in public without bra pads or a spare shirt ;)
It's not unusual for this to happen with your cycle.
I suggest getting up every 2 hours at night to pump for a few nights and adding more pumpings in during the day. You can also try Fengreek. I was told to take 2 caplets 3 times per day. It works for some and not for others. Drink lots of water and rest.
I would guess it is definitely period related--I had the exact same thing happen to me when my son was 6 months old. I wasn't pumping so I didn't have a back up so I just nursed a lot and fed him more solids (he was a big fan of the solid food so it was pretty easy for me to do this). I also dug around and found the formula sample I was given at the hospital and started supplementing one bottle a day with it. My supply did come back after my hormones evened out.
I haven't tried pumping, (not yet anyways - I think I might try) but I've heard that feeding directly from the breast will get you better results. Pumps mimic how a baby feeds, but it's not as precise. Have you tried feeding directly from the breast (at least until your supply is back up, it's understandable if you can't be around baby 24/7)? As for formulas, Gerber good start and Enfamil (they have soy versions for babies who can't tolerate the dairy).
It sounds like it might be a temporary situation due to your spotting. Here are some links from my fav nursing information site that might be helpful:
I had the same issue- supply plummeted when I got my period (mine started when my son was 11 months old). I saw a lactation consultant and she gave me the best advice. She told me to take Calcium with magnesium in a supplement every day, and it would prevent the "Period Plummet". It worked for me, but I had to take it twice a day and EVERY day. Here is the kind I took (that she suggested) that worked. http://www.naturessunshine.com/us/product/calcium-magnesi... The bottles are big and last several months.
Good luck! Hope it helps!
T.
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www.ReadandGrow.com
This happened to me when my now 5 year old was 6 months old. All of a sudden my supply was GONE. He wasn't getting anything. On a whim one morning, I took a left over pregnancy test... and I was pregnant. Could that be possible for you?
Based on everything below, I have nothing to add about getting your supply back up. (BTW, fenugreek only works if your supply is low because of certain factors. I took it, smelled like maple syrup for 3 weeks, and got no benefit from it)
As far as formula type, if your baby has issues with dairy (as many do, my Pediatrician told me it is the #1 cause of GI distress in babies), the first formula to try is soy. If soy formula doesn't work well, then there are a myriad of other options out there. I would start with soy then consult your Dr if that causes problems.
Good luck. Try not to freak out too much (stress will cause issues with your supply) as you are clearly going through a hormone shift with the spotting. Avoid caffeine, get lots of water (try drinking a beer while nursing--lots of fluid, nutrients, relaxation benefit, and alcohol doesn't go straight to breast milk. My Dr told me this one, but I HATE the taste of beer, so no go for me). You can also try Mother's Milk Tea...
If you have the time spend all day in bed with the baby skin to skin and nurse the whole time. As much as you can. It will make your supply increase.
hi,
i am in the same situation already 2 months, first i used my frozen milk but now i dont have any so i am using my breast milk, what is left and mixing it with Earths best formula, half and half, it is organic formula with iron and ARA & DHA, they have soy formula too. i got my period, tried everything, all supplement, called all help lines, dark beer, fluids, i boots myself with ENSURE to get more nutrition,.......but nothing helped.
going slowly to 100 % of formula because no matter what i do, milk supply is day by day going down.
so you are not alone, i am still depressed about that because i was planning to breastfeed for a year but i guess i am happy if i will make it at least until her 9 months, which is not bad.
wish you luck, hope you may find help.
Let me start by saying you've done pretty good being able to go 6 months even while working. My first son, by the time he was 5 months I was barely pumping 1 bottle a day. My second I found out that a weightloss patch that I wanted to use for the weightloss also helped with milk production. I started wearing it and in no time was pumping 6oz sometimes even 8oz per sitting. In fact when I finally decided to no longer breast feed I had to stop wearing the patch to try and dry up. I used to be a distributor and still have a lot of boxes if your interested. They retail for $75 to $125 but I've been selling them for $40 and $65. 2 different levels. I had my doctor look it over before I started using it and he approved of the ingredients. All natural ingredients. Let me know if you're interested.
For formula I really the HEB brand formula. Not only was is cheaper but my son no longer was spitting up. I believe it compared to Enfamil and I believe there is a lactose free formula in their brand.
