Did Your Milk Supply Drop When Starting Solids?

my milk started to do the same thing, and I am almost an exclusive pumper, so I was very worried! However, after I got my first let down and all the milk was gone from that, I went back to very quick pumping (to stimulate another let down) and was able to get about an ounce more on each side. It worked very well, and I'm back up to normal :). and he does eat it. For a little while I did put in a tiny bit of formula mixed with the breast milk so he got what he needed and wanted. good luck.
I heard this happens often at six months, especially with pumping

1) always nurse BEFORE solids. If not, baby will be too full to nurse after, and they will wean from breast. This is also per our Pediatrician.

2) Still, nurse on-demand. Not on a schedule. Your breasts, will then STILL produce enough milk, per the child.

3) for the 1st year of life, breastfmilk/Formula, is still a baby's PRIMARY source of nutrition... NOT solids and not other liquids.

4) at this age, for the 1st year, 'solids' is only an 'introduction' to eating. NOT a baby's main intake. Solids, is not even nutritionally dense, as breastmilk. And, a baby at this age, does not have to eat solids, 3 times a day like an adult would.
Nursing, should still be the primary focus.

5) Nurse directly from breast, when you can. This is more efficient, than a pump. And your breasts will produce milk, according to your baby's intake levels.

6) a baby when older, becomes more 'efficient' at nursing, thus, sometimes their nursing sessions are shorter, because they are intaking more quicker.

7) A pump, does not suck out as much milk, as a baby would when nursing directly from breast.

When my kids were on solids, at that age, I gave them solids once a day. I nursed, on-demand, all day, other than that. My kids, still nursed every 3 hours or so, and more at growth-spurts. I did not nurse them according to a 'schedule.' I did it on-demand. Per my kids needs. I still had a lot of milk.

Again, nurse him directly from breast, when you can. A pump is not as efficient.
3 ounces, while you are at work, from a bottle, during the day, is not enough. If that is his only bottle.

6 months, is a growth-spurt period in a baby. Thus, nursing frequency and amounts, naturally increases.

If you are nursing BEFORE offering solids and still nursing on demand - your milk production will tailor itself to your growing child's needs. He's getting to be a more efficient nurser - so the 30 minutes it used to take to be full would be half of that time now.

It's pretty common for your supply to drop with the introduction of other foods. If you're concerned about your supply, you could try to make sure you nurse first, and THEN offer solids as opposed to letting him get more full on the solids before he nurses. But, all in all, your supply is bound to decrease (at least somewhat) with the introduction of more and more solid foods.

This is totally normal so don't worry. He will always let you know if he needs more, that is the great thing about babies. You may want to pump a bit more to get more milk just in case. Your milk supply will crank up a bit if you add one more pumping to the day.

Enjoy!

No not with my last she was breas only no bottle so her feedings or drinks were all the time including before/after solids or finger foods

No need to worry or be concerned about your supply, your body will produce what he needs, no more, no less. It's completely normal for your supply to diminish as breast milk is no longer your son's sole food source, and he needs less of it now.

His interest in nursing will continue to dwindle the more he eats, and hopefully you'll be a mama who's child weens himself gradually and naturally, just keep watching for the cues like his not nursing as frequently or as long. I nursed my son until he was 2 (I know, I know) but he was a good eater from the start and still liked to nurse twice a day. Not at all as much or as often as when it was his only food, so my supply dropped dramatically over time, and I had absolutely no problems when he lost all interest.

And, I'd give him only the 3 oz. to see how it goes. My daughter would be given 4 oz., and never finish it all. If he appears hungry to his caregiver you can increase the amount if you have it on hand.

AND, don't feel intimidated or feel inferior because you nurse, work, and pump. You're not competing with anyone, and shouldn't hold yourself up to anyone's standards. You're blessing your child with the best nourishment he can have, some moms can't (my sister couldn't.) I did it with mine for 2 years, then 13 months, it will work out fine for you : )

Your supply is just adjusting to what he is eating. Even though the solids are in addition to nursing, it can decrease his appetite for it and he's taking less milk. Doctor is okay with that. Your body is also adjusting so that it's not making too much milk (which would go unused). You can pump more (more often) to up the supply, or you can just go with what there is. But give him as much as he will take when you give him a bottle.

My milk supply didn't change when we introduced solids. It was explained to me as such. Around six months of age is when your baby's total ounces of milk (or formula) will cap off. Extra nutrition will come from solids. As they approach the 9-12 month mark is when the daily ounces will slowly decrease. Right now only 3 oz of milk would be too little. Still let your baby guide you. I also remember somewhere between 6-9 months (can't remember) is when one of my twins was a very distracted nurser, and I'd have to keep relatching him on. Otherwise, he wouldn't eat. Just keep doing what you're doing!