Help - Sudden Decrease in Milk Supply

FIrst, relax. It's probably temporary. Make sure you nurse him a lot and it will come back itself. Drink plenty etc. Chances are it will go back up in a few days. Try not to worry about it as worrying will make it worse. If you're running low on your freezer stash you can try pumping one breast while nursing him off the other - espeicially in the mornings, this will get you a lot of milk.

Second, you may be getting your period back... I've heard your supply drops a few days before it comes. (I wouldn't know - I got pregnant again 16 months postpartum without ever getting mine back!)

Sorry - I was on vacation, so just getting to respond to your post. What you are describing happened to me when my son was 6 months. I went from pumping 4-5oz to 1/2 oz. My son was yanking at me and screaming in hunger. I work part-time, and pump 2 times while at work too. I met with a Lactation Consultant, and did a few things to help. I eat oatmeal or oatmeal cookies everyday. Also, almonds & papaya help increase supply. Water!! I rented a hospital graded pump for a few days to help. Mother's Milk Tincture 4 times/day in juice. But the best thing for me was a prescription for Reglan. It is a GI medicine but helps with milk supply. Within 3 days, I was engorged. I eventually weaned myself off the medicine, but now started to just take 1 day. Some mothers feel major side effects (anxiety, hyper, depression), but I didn't get any of those. I call it the wonder drug.

i could only get out like 2 oz a day pumping so don't feel bad. sometimes changing the speed or suction would help

Another supplement to try is More Milk Plus -- it can be found at Whole Foods. It is made especially for nursing mothers. However, the only surefire way to increase supply is milk removal. Maybe add an extra pumping session at work, or if you are still concerned this weekend, nurse your son or pump every hour when you are home with him Saturday and Sunday.

I would first check that your pump is working properly (no holes, leaks, etc.) and then definitely take a pregnancy test asap. Don't worry about weaning him early because even if your supply does decrease you can still give him some of your milk and some other posters have mentioned ways of increasing your supply. He will also start taking in more solids slowly so that will lessen the pumping burden. Hope you figure out what's going on...good luck!

Dam*, you were getting 10-12 OZ at a session!? I've never gotten over 8 and that's after going through the night. I usually get about 6oz per pump. I used to get up and pump in the middle of the night to keep my supply because my little guy was eating so much. I've actually had to supplement with formula at this point.

It sounds like you are doing everything you can to increase it. The only thing I can suggest is squeezing another pumping session in. I know how hard that can be, but that's what I would try.

--T.

Thanks for clarifying for me on the amount being pumped. I JUST thought of something, as I was pulling out my pump. Sometimes, the pump parts need to be replaced. There could be a small hole in the tubing, or another part could have lost some usefulness over time. I don't know what pump you have, but I'd go on their webiste and check into some troubleshooting ideas.

Hi M.- Have you tried increasing your H2O. Now that it is warmer you may be using more fluids. Just an idea- it is free and quick and easy.
Beth

M.

Try to relax b/c your son might sense your stress. I know it is hard doing this while you are working. I had to do this with my first child when I was nursing her b/c my milk supply went down also. Nurse your son first then pump. I know you won't have much milk but it is a wake up call to your breasts to produce more milk. Try to do this every time you feed your son until your breasts know there is more demand. Pump in the morning, at work, when you get home, and before bed. It is draining but worth it in the end. Oh, take a pregnancy test. I had a friend who was nursing and her milk decreased and she spoke with her doctor and her doctor said take a test you may be pregnant and sure enough she was. Her kids are 15 months apart. She went from nursing one to nursing another. Good Luck!