My Milk Supply Is Low in the Evenings

You might need an afternoon nap! When you put the baby down for his afternoon nap, you take one too. I have had this problem with every baby I have had and this really helps!

Hi C.! Congrats on your baby and nursing! I nursed both my girls and always noticed a lower supply in the evening. I agree with the other posters that being sure to drink lots of water throughout the day will help and maybe adding a feeding in the evening for several days to a week will help. I was told to drink upwards of 90 oz of water a day to stay hydrated and keep up my supply. Now that sounds like soooo much but even if you can get to 64oz of water that would help. Good luck!

I found my self having a decresed milk supply in the evening. I found if I drank a 20oz bottle every hour, my milk supply was fine. If i did not drink water every hour I would not produce enough milk. Also try and get rest if you can. I noticed that if ran around all day doing things my supply was low because my body was burning energy. I nursed mine for a 13mo. I dont know how I did or how I had enough at times but I did. So congrats to you and your little boy at breastfeeding.

Drink lots of water during the day...especially AM and early afternoon...have a healthy lunch with carbs and protien and healthy fats....watch caffine in your drinks...avoid sodas all together and coffee/tea after late AM....are you napping after lunch? do that!....you are tired by evening, too. Ask you MD, but I had A glass of wine in the late afternoon when I nursed and rocked...to relax myself and baby during this hectic dinner time...check with MD about how much milk YOU should be drinking, too. Don't "diet"...heathy, balance, fresh foods and whole grains are best for you and baby at this time....and that pregnancy weight will melt off with nursing...avoid sugars/fructose and processed "junk" food...better for you and baby. just enjoy your time and relax...there is life after this brief time during his infancy!!! you are doing for him what no one else can do!

Congratulations on your new boy! I have a twin boy and girl who are almost 4 and a boy who is 16months old. I would say this is completely normal. They told me that milk supply was highest in the middle of the night and early morning (when you're resting, I guess). And lowest in the evening after you've dealt with the day. I nursed all my children for about 8 months and had issues with evening feedings with all of them. To make matters worse, my youngest was sleepy and not all that hungry in the morning when my milk was the most. I've done everything from pumping in the morning and feeding that expressed milk back to the baby at night to hourly feedings from 7-11 (this was more because he was a little colicky and we were going to be up anyway) and even supplementing with formula in the evening. I don't know that the experts would recommend any of these, but as I said my kids all nursed for 8 months, so we thought it worked out fairly well. Best of luck!

V.

it takes about 7 hours for what you consume to turn into breastmilk- so if your supply is low in the evening look back to what you are eating 7 hours earlier. Most likely you just need to bump up your water in take.
Also sometimes babies (especially when they are newborns) will cluster feed- take in a lot of feedings all at once making it seem like a never ending boob fest =-)
One one of my 5 was a BIG night time cluster feeder and my supply would be lower in the evening because of it. As soon as I realized that he was cluster feeding I promptly upped my water intake to taking in atleast 1 1/2 quarts of water before lunch time. This provided me with plenty of milk in the evening.
Since you are not noticing a supply issue during other parts of the day- I do not believe that it is an overall supply problem. I believe it is just a water issue.
Up the water my dear and you will be good to go=-) If you have any ??? or need any other help with Breastfeeding just let me know- besides being a mama of 5 kiddos I am also a doula and a lactation activist. And thank you for breastfeeding your baby=-)...M.

Hi C.,

This is totally normal! You can try to get more rest during the day (I used to take the afternoon nap with my daughter when she was that age. If you feel your son is not getting enough, you could consult a lactation specialist. But if your pediatrician is happy with his weight gain that he is fine. Also, don't be afraid to continue nursing at night - when my daughter was that age I could have feed the whole block in the early morning hours (3-5am).

Yes, Drink more water, even if you think you are drinking enough. Also make sure that you are eating every three hours alittle bit, Eat six mini meals a day. I nursed 2 1/2 years working full time. My son never had formula so it can be done. If you are at home try taking an afternoon nap also this can help.

hi depending on what side of town you live on, check with Babies R Us, they have BreastFeeding classes with some really good lactation professionals there that can assist you and best of all, they are free.

Sorry, I hope I did not post twice. I think I lost my response. I was trying to say that rest and extra fluid are great answers to low supply in evening which a common concern with busy moms. An extra feeding will also increase the supply. La Leche League is wonderful for answering all your questions, and they have a website llli.org also Dr. Sears askdrsears.com. I used his wife's breastfeeding book until I had worn out the pages between two babies. Don't give up, if you keep offering, he will increase your supply.

I do not know if that is normal, but the same thing happened to me. My little boy was naturally fussy in the late afternoon/early evening and during his 6:00/6:30 feeding, I noticed that my milk would hardly come down. It was so frustrating to me! I asked the doctor about this and he stated that some babies are colicky in the evenings and they seem to want to nurse, but it is just the sucking motion that is soothing to them. I soon realized that I had become my baby's pacifier and had spent several months worried about my evening milk production over nothing. Hope this helps.

Hi C.,
Are you nursing less in the evenings? If so, maybe you should pump (whether the baby wants to nurse or not). This is one way to increase your supply. Also, there's Fenugreek. A natural supplement that you can find at GNC. It is known for increasing your milk supply.

Dear C.:

I had a similar problem after I went back to work. I was pumbing and in the afternoon found I had a problem producing enough. I think I put too much stress on myself because as I started worrying it got worse. anyway, I was told to take yeast pills or drink a beer an hour or two before breast feeding 0 it worked great.
good luck

HI C., do you find that your son is breastfeeding less during the night? Milk supply only comes when your child is actively feeding and your body responds to his requests. The frequent he breastfeeds, the more milk supply you will have. Atleast, that is what worked for me! I breastfed my child for 3.2 years. It was the BEST gift I ever will give my son! Also, try drinking more water. Let me know, T.

Same happened to me I drank Healthy Nursing Tea by secrets of tea that`s organic tea and I got relieve from this trouble. My LC suggested me and It`s the best gift for me. Hope this help you.