Losing Milk Supply - Peabody, MA

I found that breastfeeding itself was much better for stimulating milk production than pumping, however long I pumped. as soon as I started supplementing, it was a slippery slope towards not producing milk. good luck.

If my milk all of a sudden disappeared, the first thing I would suspect was that I was pregnant again. Go buy a home pregnancy test ;)

Drink lots of fluids, get rest as much as possible, and create a restful setting when nursing and/or pumping. Stress can get in the way of a healthy supply of milk. How about some relaxing music, a warm bath, whatever calms you the most. I would sometimes nurse our baby in the tub which was great for both of us.

Good luck!

Hi J.,

I'm sorry you're having this problem. I know how hard it is! My daughter is now 5 months old and I have had constant issues with supply. My lactation consultant told me to take these items and they have seemed to work pretty well:

1. More Milk Plus Special Blend (http://www.motherlove.com/)
2. Vitamin B Complex #5
3. Cod Liver Oil

Pumping at least once a day may also help bring your supply up again. And if nothing seems to work and you do end up supplementing with formula, don't beat yourself up about it. The most important thing is that she is not hungry, I think. Similac Organic is a good option, but I'd check with your doctor first :) Good luck!

The same thing happened to me at 5 months with my second son. I tried everything! I drank a pot of tea a day, took Fenugreek and took the prescription Reglan--nothing helped. I had nursed my first son for 17 months, but it just didn't work out for whatever reason with my second child. I wish you the best and am sorry I couldn't offer anything more positive.

Keep up the good work, J.! The tricks I used to keep my supply up were lots of oatmeal (almost everyday) and lots of WATER!!! I noticed that the amount of water I drink one day directly influences how much milk I produce the next day. I would also suggest what the others mention in trying to see what might have changed in your life that may be causing you stress - stress is such a big factor in milk production. Also, has your daughter changed her nursing pattern and decreased how often she nurses? That can certainly influence milk production.

Nursing/pumping at regular times every day will also keep the supply up, if that is something you can do (if you work and need to pump). I work part time and make sure to pump at the same times every day I am working, adjusting it according to how my son has changed his nursing patterns on the days I am home with him.

I would keep at it a little longer and see if you can get that supply up. It might just be a temporary lull that you can address and get back to higher milk production.

Keep up the great work!

I'm sure you've already heard from several people suggesting a lactation consultant. I had a lot of problems with my supply and the best advice I got from a NICU nurse was to relax about it - the stress was adding to the problem. Okay, easier said than done. But as I tried, it did help. I used regalane (prescription) for a while - really helped but also took baby blues into postpartum depression - so went off that and used fenugreek for several months. I used a combination of nursing and formula and it worked great - especially since my husband could now feed too.

*Best* advice I got was to use a supplemental nurser - at first it was too weird but I saw great results and would use it whenever my supply got low. Don't bother with the expensive ones you buy - get a free small one from a hospital lactation consultant. The baby gets either formula or breast milk through a tube that is attached to your nipple. He/she also get breast milk - your supply improves with the suckling (esp. if you pump right after that to add to it).

I wound up nursing several times a day until he self weaned at 16 months. Glad I didn't stop - but it's okay if you think it's time to stop. Being happy, healthy and stress free is the best way to raise a child.

Ask your doctor about Reglan. It is a prescription drug used for anti nausea which has the unexplained side effect of increasing milk supply. It saved my breastfeeding relationship with #1 & #3! Good luck!

hi J., i would suggest taking lots of extra calcium w/ vit D, several times a day. and make sure you are drinking tons and tons of water; not soda or anything like that. you may just need extra hydration. also, sometimes stress or change can cause a change in supply. AND i remember that both of my girls began eating a lot more regular food around 9 mos, so of necessity, my supply went down as they had nourishment elsewhere. hope this helps! good luck

There is also "More Milk" and other herbs you can try. I'd suggest checking out kellymom for more information. The previous poster might have been right -- have you had your cycle yet?

J.,

Is the baby complaining that she isn't getting any milk when you nurse? Or is it just that you don't get any milk when you pump? These are 2 different things. After 10 months I was unable to pump anymore myself but my daughter still gets plenty of milk when she wants it. She is now 16 months old and still nurses 3 or 4 times a day with no complains of supply, but I could pump it if I tried.

If you are concerned about the lack of pumping I would suggest contacting La Leche League in your area. www.llli.org The women are great. Call some of the ladies listed for your areas group and talk to them. They should have some advice for you.

Good luck,
L. M

Hi J.,

Keep in mind, too, that your baby girl is getting more milk than what you are pumping so as long as she's growing, hydrated, pooping etc you might be just fine. If you are pumping exlusively I think others have given you lots of good ideas. I've also heard root beer can boost your milk supply and it's yummy so why not? ;-)

Hi J.,
Rushing....
1. increase your fluid intake
2. get more rest
3. take stock of what else is going on in your life - have you recently started back to work, in a stressful relationship, had an illness, started your period? All of those things can lead to a temporary reduction in milk production.
4.check out www.kellymom.com - she has TONS of great info about BF

Don't get discouraged!! You have been doing so well1! Keep up the good work!

Same thing happened to me. All of a sudden- didn't know what was up. Then I discovered I was pregnant again!!! Could that be what is "wrong"?!

Good Luck!

You can get your milk supply back speedily if you drink natural tea preservatives free that`s Healthy Nursing tea by secrets of tea...!!!

All excellent advice... another one, if you at all suspect an issue with your thyroid... get it checked with a blood test... hyper/hypo thyroid can mess with your supply and can come up during the first year after having a baby... just another thought, if you suspect that might be it. I think KellyMom has info on this too..

I have found my milk supply to dwindle a bit around this age...but don't get discouraged!! and you don't need formula!! are you drinking enough water? this is the most important! three liters for us nursing moms! also try eating oatmeal and a supplement called More Milk plus (sold at whole foods). Are you still nursing enough? its all about supply & demand with nursing: the more you nurse, the more you produce., pumping does not produce the same results. Talk to your local Le Leche League Leader for more suggestions. Good Luck

At 9 months, if you have a healthy developmentally on target baby, you may not need formula. Ideas for boosting that supply: Try eating more oatmeal- whole grain oatmeal. You can make cookies, eat it as a hot cereal- or even grind it up in a coffee grinder and add it to smoothies. Oatmeal is a galactagogue (milk booster.) You can also try the herbs shatavari and/ or blessed thistle. Have you switched your brand of fenugreek? YOu could try a more potent brand/ dosage. Im wondering what might be the cause of the decrease in supply. Have you started to ovulate? supply for some women drastically decreases during menses.

Hi J.-

I want to encourage you to continue to breastfeed and not switch to formula. I assume that your baby is eating solids, so your milk supply has naturally adjusted because she is also getting nutrition from solids. As long as your pediatrician is fine with how your baby is growing, I would continue to nurse as you have been. This special time with your baby will pass all too quickly, so try to relax and enjoy each feeding.

Kind Regards

K.