Hi there,
I think my milk supply is dropping because my 14 month old baby definitely prefers one breast (I think that’s because the other one is simply drying up) and because many times before naps and bed and once during the night (these are the only times I'm nursing), she latches on, then pulls off in frustration, kicking and getting angry. We repeat this scenario several times before I realize that either she’s frustrated because no milk is coming out, or it’s not coming out fast enough for her. I end up just putting her in her crib, feeling bad that she didn't get to have the "nana" she wanted. I know that pregnancy hormones can alter the taste so I took a pregnancy test this morning just to be sure, and it was negative. We last had sex on August 7th and 14th, when I was ovulating, but I would assume I’d know by now (September 4th) if conception occurred and I’d be feeling something…?? Any quick tips on how to increase milk supply? Thanks!
I think it sounds like she's getting teeth, maybe molars? Or make sure she's not getting sick... ear infection maybe? But I think its teething, those molars are miserable and kids will often prefer one side because it hurts the tooth/gums to nurse on the other.
herb - Fenugreek - and they make a "mother's milk" tea that helps a lot too!
Do you feel your milk "let down" when she cries or needs to nurse? How far apart are you offering her to nurse? Do you wait for her to ask or are you setting the schedule? It may seem like you are drying up, when in reality, your body is only making what she needs, as opposed to when you first started nursing, it over-produces until you ache!!
The best way to increase milk supply is to let her continue to nurse, even though she is frustrated. If you want to increase flow on the waning breast, offer that one first and let her struggle to get all she can. Let her go to the other side, then at the very end put her back on the first breast for a few minutes. It should take about 2 days for your breasts to catch up to her need. She may be having a growth spurt and needing more milk. She may also be ready for you to introduce some solids to her.
Make sure you are getting enough fluids and rest!!
Good luck - let me know if you have any other questions.
J.
My son never could latch on but I pumped for 9 months, so I had to do a lot of research on increasing milk supply! Here are the tips:
***Beer, the darker the better, or you can use brewers yeast tablets. Brewers yeast is the active ingredient in beer that increases milk supply.
***Mother's milk tea, found in health food stores, or a Meijer if you have them. Loved this! Noticed a difference if I missed a day.
***Fenugreek herb.
***Blessed Thistle herb
*** You could pump at the times she doesn't seem to be getting enough, maybe after she goes to sleep. This will keep you body on schedule.
Can't remember the exact dosage on the herbs, but my pediatrician's nurse told me about them, so you may want to ask yours for the dosage. Or contact Le Leche League, they may know.
Hope this helps!
M.
toddler nursing is always interesting....my daughter did the same thing to me for months. So i had to trick her...If i nursed her side lying and sort of trick her to the other one, try it when she is sleepy more. Also your supply does dip around your period so that may be doing it. If not no biggie you can nurse on one side . I am 4 months pregnant and still nursing, my supply didnt really dip until i was a few months pregnant
i needed to increase my milk suppy and my mother-in-law told me to drink a beer - guess what - it helped!!
YES. Make sure she's dry and burped
and then put her back on the breast.
Alternate which breast you start with each time.
Consider attempting to hold her in different positions
so that she's not always angled/approaching the same way.
Also, call LA LECHE LEAGUE.
S.
