My Baby Is 9 Months Old and My Milk Supply Has Suddenly Dropped. Help.

Hi H.,
You've received some really good advice. In addition, try laying off ANY/ALL caffeine. Good luck!

try Dr. Ali Palmeri, she specializes in pregancy & lactation & helped me when my supply faded...she makes it pretty simple too. I think she has a sliding scale too. ###-###-#### Good luck.

Here are the tips I was given to "up" my supply by my Doula. Make sure you are drinking enough water(easy to forget to do--especially if drinking any caffeine), drink "Mother's Milk Tea"(surprisingly tasty) , eat oatmeal for breakfast 5 times a week(I added lots of different fruit to make it interesting), eat nut meats(I ate lots of Almonds and Pecans for "snacks"--filling and good for you). It worked really well and never had a problem since--pumping or nursing. Good luck!!!

You have to realize that it is what it is. We all have these idealistic plans as to how long we will breastfeed and this and that. But, if your milk dries up, it dries up and you have to switch to formula. Dont add undo stress to yourself over it. It will only worsten the situation. You are doing a wonderful job with what you are doing. Even though you may "plan" to breastfeed until 12 months, it may just not work out that way, and there is nothing wrong with it.
I pumped 8-12 oz out each breast, couldnt feed the little ones though because my "tools" just didnt work right, but was able to provide amble pumped supply. I just had to accept that I couldnt physically breastfeed them and do what I could. I have friends that could feed all day long and not produce hardly any milk, we just have to do the best we can with what we have. You are a great mom because you want the best for your little one. Keep up the good work.

Hi H.,

I am going to post a couple of links to the La Leche League website that have some articles that you may find helpful. Be careful about trying herbs, supplements and techniques to increase your supply without consulting an IBCLC (independent board certified lactation consultant) so that they can evaluate whether it's really a decrease in supply versus demand. There are a lot of factors to milk production so just simply increasing a decreasing supply is not always the answer. One good way to increase your supply that is safe is to simply take your baby to bed with you. Pick a day and spend as much time as you can in bed nursing your baby, playing, reading books, bonding, infant massage, skin-to-skin contact, getting to know their personality better, etc... and nurse a lot. This is a great way to bring you and baby back together and work on your supply at the same time. Here are those links. I hope they help!: http://www.llli.org/FAQ/pumpwork.html
http://www.llli.org/NB/NBmilksupplyissues.html

D. Rylander
A Blessed Birth Doula Services
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____@____.com

There's been a lot of good advice here, so I'll limit comments to just a couple:
1) If you're in good health and with your doctor's advice (better, your naturopathic doctor, who will be more familiar with this...) there's a really good formula by Wise Woman Herbs called Lactaflow. Also has Galega, aka Goat's rue, that (along with fenugreek) is one of the best galactagogues (lactation stimulant) available.
2) Talk to your coworkers/principal about how you can get support with bathroom breaks, so you can make sure to hydrate. A good rule of thumb is, if you're not peeing at least every 2 hours, you're not drinking enough water!
3) At 9 months, you are not automatically ready to be in a minimal nursing pattern. I mean, you can be, if you choose that's what's best for you and baby, but your body's made to keep going. I think most babies are nourished mainly by breastmilk for around the first year, and food is primarily practice and entertainment during that time.

Best wishes!
D.

Hi H.,
I second (and third and so on) the people who said to make sure you're drinking lots of water. Also, there is a drug that many people don't know about called domperidone, which is approved for something other than milk production, but increased production is one of the side-effects and from what I've read it's quite safe (has few, if any other side effects). Talk to your doctor about it. You can always stop taking it if your body starts making enough on its own again.
http://www.breastfeedingonline.com/domperidone.shtml

Hi my daughter used the supplement Fenugreek (sp) she got it at GNC. It really helped.

As a parent of three breastfed children, I've weathered a few supply ups and downs myself. My first thought is to make sure you are getting enough sleep, including naps and nighttime and to drink enough water. If your little one is eating food, you might try to nurse him before he eats when he's hungry to help stimulate the milk flow. You might have to do some deep breathing to stay calm as you try this, as your baby might initially be even more frustrated because he wants to eat. Also try taking him somewhere very relaxing to nurse so you can stay calm while your milk takes time to letdown. This could be cuddled up in the bed together when you get home from work or getting in the bath together.

This might help you clear your mind of any worries and of the expectation that your milk letdown might be slow and lead to a fussy baby. You want to keep your mind focused on what you want, an easy and bountiful letdown of milk and break the cycle of stress, which can make it worse. Visualizing an ample and quick letdown before you pump or nurse can help as well.

Do you have a sweet picture of your little one to look at while you pump at work? and do you have enough quiet time to pump without rushing to get back to your work? Do you have time to pump at least twice while you're away? When you nurse do you allow your baby to completely empty the breast before you switch to the other side? Keeping these things in mind may help. Also nursing on demand whenever you're home is crucial to keeping your milk flow high.

Foods that support milk production are carrots, sweet potatoes, basil, fennel, hops (in beer, alcohol or non-alcoholic), fenugreek, mother's milk herbal tea, and of course getting adequate amounts of protein, calcium and vitamin/minerals. Foods that suppress milk production are caffeine (chocolate-my culprit! and coffee; I find non-daily green tea is usually ok); sage and parsley.

Of course, give these things a couple of weeks to work and definitely see a lactation consultant or talk to a La Leche League contact to get some guidance. Hope this helps!

My son also went through a phase of being fussy while breastfeeding around 10 months. Like you, I was planning on making it to at least 12 months, so I really kicked it into high gear. First, I called the lactation consultant who I'd worked with in the very beginning. She assured me that as babies eat solids, they nurse less, and it's normal for mom's milk to decrease. I still wanted to try though, so I began pumping following breastfeeding, nursing before he'd have his solid food meals, and drinking Mother's Milk Tea. I think it took about 2 weeks, but then his fussiness passed, and he began a pro nurser again. We ended up nursing until he was 18 months. Good luck, and hang in there if this is something that you want to continue!

H.,

A few things I can think of can suddenly affect your milk supply.

1.) Are you pregnant again and don't realize it? This can either stop or really decrease the amount of milk you have.

2.) Did you recently start taking any new medication--especially the birth control pill? Lots of medication that we take affects our milk supply and we don't realize it--especially the pill. Doctors neglect to tell women all the time that the pill can decrease your milk supply, yet they are so quick to prescribe it as soon as you have your baby!

3.) Is your thyroid working properly? You might want your levels checked. My thyroid starting giving me trouble after pregnancy, but it was around 6 months that I noticed my milk flow was not as good as it had been before (even though looking back now I know I was experiencing hypothyroidism just 2 months after pregnancy).

4.) Sorry to other posters, but I would be hesitant to take any herbs or change too much of what you are currently doing without first talking to a doctor. See a lactation consultant soon before your milk is gone.

Lastly, don't give up! My daughter and I had our own breastfeeding struggles, but she still breastfeeds and she's nearly 18 months now. It's the best way to comfort her when she's sick and needs to be close. (But you already know that, I'm sure!) And it's so good for their health to keep breastfeeding--they get a lot of support for their immune system from you!

Good luck!
L. C.

Increase your fluid intake. Nurse more frequently during the evening and when you're home on your days off. Demand will usually increase the supply, but you have to provide the liquids for your system to do as well. Relax, stress is a milk drainer!!! You don't say how often you pump at work and for how long. No doubt, you're stressed at work while trying to accomplish this task. If at all possible, find a quiet room in which to pump/express your milk. Your milk supply will start to decrease as your son gets older as you're probably not his only source of nourishment these days. It's normal, but disappointing as well. Again, every mom's body is different. Comparisons are nice, but often not realistic. Listen to your body and your baby, do what you can and make the adjustments necessary to make sure that he's getting all that he needs. You've done an awesome job and will continue to do so, however he gets his nourishment. Being a mom is filled with many disappointments, but this is not one to hold onto. Celebrate that you have had 9 months of closeness that no one else could have provided him. Continue to snuggle up and offer the breast, as breastfeeding centers you after a hectic day at work as much as your being there soothes and comforts him. Drink more, nurse more and enjoy the time together!!!

I have to say that I don't agree with "when it dries up, it dries up and you switch to formula" approach.

It is normal for your supply go down quite a bit once your baby starts eating solids more and more, which I assume he is doing by now.

Review what has changed in your life... have you started dieting or exercising? More stress? Has your period returned? All of those can be factors.
I started working full time when my little one was 6 months old, by 9 months I was down to probably about 10 ounces a day (10 hours), but that worked fine for her, since she had taken to solids just fine and I made sure I nursed her a few times, both sides in the morning and before bed, as well as once a night.

Supply fluctuates, that is normal.Spend a "nursing vacation" with him, just a few days or a weekend were you concentrate on nothing else but nursing him. No housework, no work, just your baby and you cuddling and nursing as often as he would like. That can give your supply a little boost and relax you as well.
Mine is 18 months now, following her growth-curves nicely and we are still nursing in the morning an evening. It is SOOO worth it!

Hi there, I stopped feeding my daughter at 14 months and two months later was able to pick the supply back up again by simply pumping pumping pumping. Fenugreek taken in conjunction with Blessed Thistle has a great affect on the milk production where only Fenugreek may not wokr for everyone. Mother's Milk tea has a weak fenugreek and anise combination and takes about two days to work for me. There is a pumping technique called "power pumping" that jumpstarted my milk both right at the beginning and again this month. Pump for 10 min ever other ten min for the course of an hour in the morning and evening. Then make sure that you pump or feed your son at least every two hours. It's a lot of work, but the supply comes back.

As our kidlets get older, we get busier and leave off a feeding or pumping here and there. Next thing you know, the supply is half what it used to be!

Wishing yout the best.

I have no advice but I will be reading your responses, Im going through the same thing. She just turned 9 months, is eating three meals a day plus one snack and my milk supply has basically gone from 5 oz per pumping to 3 1/2 oz. Ugh!! I am religiously taking Fenugreek, drinking lots, even barrowed a brand new pump. My next step is to take another supplement called Milkmaid Plus. (My friend swears by it.) If that doesn't work then Im off to the lactation consultant to get that not so herbal drug that increases milk (but that is my last resort because it can cause depression and who the heck wants to be sad?)

Best of luck to you. Let me know what happens.

Hi H. -

I'll keep it short and to the point:
1. Nurse or pump every 2 hours for at least 10 minutes.
2. Drink lots of water
3. Take fenugreek capsules with your meals (I took 6 per day until my supply was up, then backed it off-dosing was given to me by my lactation consultant).
4. If your son doesn't nurse for very long, try to pump after a feeding for a few minutes to continue to stimulate your nipples.
5. My trick for a really strong continuous milk supply has been co-sleeping--my baby can nurse during the night. This has made a big difference for me. It's especially helpful when the baby is older and on solids because they drop some of their daytime feedings and the breast needs more stimulation.
6. Try to relax and nurse your baby in a peaceful environment.

I hope things improve!
J.

I have never had a great milk supply and struggle to get 6 oz. What helps me is an herb called fenugreek and anis tea. Also try to not stress out because that always decreases my milk.

Good luck
A. H

My son is also 9 months old and like you I work a few days a week. It's perfectly normal for there to be a decrease in your supply now that your little one is eating solid foods. When I pump, I'm only getting about 6 ounces as well. But my son is 23 pounds and 31 inches long. He isn't complaining, he's well nourished and therefore, I'm not worried about it. If we weren't pumping we wouldn't really know how much milk we were producing. We have to look to our babies for the cues needed to know if they're getting enough. Worrying too much will only cause you unneeded stress, which will in turn affect your milk supply. Try to relax, know that you're doing a wonderful thing for your baby and nature will take care of the rest. Good luck to you!

Try not to stress out mama. Like the other responses mentioned, supply goes up and down. I know mine went down after a bad cold. And it would tend to go down if I was not drinking enough water. I also noticed at about 9 months my milk supply went down quit a bit. I think it was just because my son was eating more and more solid food and just needed less breastmilk. It was a little nerve wracking when I would compare ounces I had pumped that day to a week or two ago. But babies drink what they need. As far as the let down goes, I would sometimes have that problem too. My son would just have a cow when it would take too long. I don't know why that happens. But if my son kept nursing I would eventually have a let down.

If you are really concerned you can contact your local La Leche League. They will be able to help you for sure. Or you can check out their website. They really have a wealth of information.

Good Luck! And kudos for nursing as long as you have. Your son has gotten a terrific start!

I had very good luck with Fenugreek and lots of water. The lactation nurse told me to take 3 pills 3 times a day, and I eventually upped it to 5 pills 3 times a day. My son also wakes up at night to nurse and that has really helped my milk supply, even though I am exhausted :).

My first question has actually nothing to do about you...but your sons diet:

What and how often is he eating "solid" food?

There have been some really cool studies done on baby saliva and mums nipples. Namely that there is a chemical reaction between the two. One thing that happens is that: the moment ANYTHING even water, is given to your child, the birthcontrol aspect of breast feeding goes out the window. A chemical process happens that triggers the chemical shutdown.

Another thing is that there are chemical reactions between the babies need for nutrients and what is produced in the milk. For example: growth spurts or illness. (Ever wonder why you feel so exhausted when your infant is sick? It's not all stress and sleepless nights...your immune system is going into overdrive to produce a more colostrum like milk...so be sure to eat high fat high protein foods when your nursing a sick one.) Your son's saliva is telling your body what he needs for his current phase of development.

I've often wondered if coating the trumpet part of a milk pump with baby drool (eeeeew!) would actually make the darn things work better.

In any event, my point here is that if your son is reacting well to solids his body may be telling your body that it's time to switch into a supplement phase of nursing. Then, when he's getting most of his nurtition and calories from food (probably in a few months), his body will tell your body to switch the milk supply into a more "comfort" phase of nursing. Low and behold nursing mothers of 2-3 year olds milk is as vastly different from a 1-2 year olds to a newborns.

As one would expect, a "supplement phase" is going to contain a LOT less volume. It's not just quantity here...but quality.

I wouldn't tell you to stop with the indian spices (although ALWAYS keep up with H2O) because I'm far more familar with the microbiology then the herbology, but you might try relaxing a bit more and let nature take over. <Laughing> That doesn't mean weaning, our bodies are hardwired to nurse for 2 years...it takes quite a lot of convincing and cabbage leaves to wean early if there isn't a pregnancy or infection.

Hi H.,

My best advice is to keep at it, and DONT Stress. Stress is a milk supply killer. I know that is easier said than done, but try hard to find your happy place when you settle in to nurse or pump. I found a couple things worked really well when my supply was low... First, make sure you are really super-hydrated. Drink a TON of water. Second, try Mother's Milk tea - you can find it at any co-op or health-food store. Drink one or two of those a day and it definitely helps. Last, you can try fenugreek - also an herb you can find at the healthfood store. These all work well... Good luck! Don't give up!!

First of all Great job doing this wonderful thing for your son!!! I too worked a few days a week while still breastfeeding and know that pumping at work can be tough. The nice thing about pumping is it does give you a good indication of your supply so I, like you could tell when my supply was lower than normal. Here are the things that I noticed having an impact on my milk supply: not drinking enough water, not eating enough (especially on busy days at work), stress (this was probably the biggest one for me), sickness, hormonal things going on. Are any of these going on with you? The things I would try would be to drink LOTS of water, eat lots of healthy food and keep nursing and pumping as often as you can. This should kick your milk supply back up. Also know that a baby is much more efficient than a pump so your baby is probably getting what he needs but I understand the stress that goes along with feeling like you are not producing enough. Take good care of yourself, rest and know that even some breastfeeding is so great for your son! Also don't think about letting down while you are pumping or nursing, try to distract yourself - for me thinking about it too much always made it take longer. Before you know it he will be 1 and you will be starting him on real milk! (My son just turned one and the time from 9 months to 1 year just flew by!) Good luck!