My Milk Is Drying Up

L.-

I know how discouraging it can be to have to stop nursing before you're really ready for it, but you may have no choice. Your little boy is almost old enough to have whole milk rather than formula. If he's getting other baby food, he really isn't in need of a lot of formula or breastmilk. If he's getting two servings of protien daily, then it's enough. And if your pediatrician says your boy is healthy, then you don't need to worry too much over how much he's eating. If you want to continue to nurse him, then just cut back to two times a day (say, before nap and bed-time) I had to do that when my oldest was one. Congrats on being able to nurse your little guy for as long as you have. I'm sure you've gotten your boys off to a wonderful start by being such a committed mom. Be proud of yourself for what you have done, and try not to worry if you need to taper nursing off sooner than you'd like. Best of luck to you!

- B. -

If you are nursing, how do you know that your child is not getting enough milk? Is he asking for more and just not getting it?

My son just turned one and my breasts have also gotten smaller and softer and let down happens only after he gives a couple good sucks. I thought my milk supply had just regulated so that I wasn't overflowing anymore.

My son is primarily breastfed, not really by choice. He just has no interest in food in general unless I am eating. He will not eat in his high chair, only if I'm holding him. The Dr said that he is fine and healthy with no weight loss issues.

I'm not sure you should be worried unless your Dr is saying that your son is not getting enough to eat. It is also typlical for kids to slim down from 6 months to a year I've been told.

I'm not sure you should be worried, but if you are, then check with your Dr or a lactition consultant.

L.,

I'd recommend going to and getting a check up with your OB/Gyn. Usually when you supply disappears like you describe, it is because you are pregnant. I had a pregnancy and a miscarriage when I was nursing my older son and it was very much like you describe. And then I had a lot of abnormal bleeding when I was pregnant with my younger son but I stayed pregnant and he's a healthy 3 month old now. I'd definitely see your doctor. It could be nothing or it could be a pregnancy, an etopic pregnancy, a miscarriage or any number of things. I'd rather know for sure that nothing is going on.

:-)T.

I can hear how disappointed that you are. And the other mothers do have some good advice. I just want to add that I think that you can give your baby milk at 12 months. And to keep giving him protein foods even if you continue to breast feed. He'll acquire a taste for them.

Well at least you made it almost 12 months. I couldn't passed 5 months. Maybe your body was telling you that your baby is ready for other foods. You did the best you could and your baby got a lot of nutrition from you.

I understand how you feel...except for me my last child just decided she was not interested anymore at 11 months! She would not nurse for more that 10 seconds before she was on to the next fun thing. I was so sad because I would have happily nursed her until she was two if I could. As for the cause of you producing less milk - it may be that your baby only needs what you are producing. If he will still suck then you should still produce. There are also natural herbs you can take to increase production. Call the La Leche League or go to a vitamin/herbal supplement store and ask them. I hope for you that this is just a snag and not the end! Good luck!

I have a 6 month old daughter & my milk supply was very low at about 2 months. I bought these pills called 'More Milk Plus' and they worked very well. They are a little pricey (about $30 for a bottle of 60 pills) and you have to take 3 pills a day until your supply increases and then you can back off to 1-2 pills a day. They are made up of fenugreek and other herbs to keep your body in balance. It took my milk about 2-3 days to increase, but there was definitely a noticeable increase. I got them at Whole Foods & I have yet to find them anywhere else. Hope this helps!

L.,
I know how you feel, I stopped nursing my son 4 weeks before his first birthday. I was ready to ween him off but if you still want to keep breastfeeding until he is a year old try drinking the tea MOTHERS MILK it supposed to help with lactation and the tea itself is really good, I drank it the moment I came home from the hospital until I stopped nursing. You can buy it at Lassens or Lazy Acres. There is a Lassens in Camarillo on Arneil. But it looks like you baby is ready go onto whole milk. Good luck and let me know if the tea helps

L.,

I had the same experience but at 9 1/2 months. My milk just disappeared for no reason that I can follow. I had to wean because my son kept biting out of frustration from no milk. I too had chronic breast infections for the first 6 weeks and several after that. I figured the dry-up was my body's way of saying "enough!" I too feel robbed but at the same time I am enjoying the freedom. I'm also starting to lose the stubborn last bit of baby weight that I couldn't get rid of. I do know of an herbal supplement that can help with production and it's in several teas too, it's called fenugreek. My lactation specialist recommended it although I didn't try it. Much luck! M.

you could still be pregnant. I've heared many people who still have periods through the first few months of their pregnancies. Go to your doctor and have a blood test. that will tell you for sure. If you're not, your doctor should be able to help. If all else fails there is always the lactation specialist. My daughter's almost a year and we're weening. I feel like I'm not completely ready, it's like loosing a connection to your child and just another reminder that she's gonna grow up on you. I have to remind myself that it's ok and she not going anywhere, there's still lots of other things to bond with her on and she loves her mommy very much. I have two girls and I really enjoyed being able to nurse the second one. There's a stronger bond there and I didn't want to give that up. But, it's not the only bond we have and she's not suffering for it. You'll be fine, but do seek out help since you're not ready.

Your body could just be finished, especially with all of the problems you have had. This is nothing you are doing wrong, it is just your body doing. Though your baby will be fine without the formula. Dark green veggies will work for the protein just as well as anything else does. Have you ever tried soybeans? You should be able to fine some frozen ones out of the pod, all you do is boil them in lightly salted water for about 3 min. They do not taste bad.

You have given your baby a wonderous start on life!
Keep up the good work.

Have you tried Pumping in between feedings? This will usually help increase the production. Are you under a lot of stress right now? Stress will dry you up very quickly.
However, I would recomend that you see your physician. Just to be sure that there isn't anything else going on.
Also You mentioned Peanut butter...Children aren't suppose to have Peanut butter until they are a year old.
I wish you luck in bringing back the milk supply!

You know I am going through the same thing, My last baby boy is 10 months old, I didn't have the struggles you did threw nursing but my milk is just drying up and my son still wants to nurse. He hates formula and will not drink it, I am too scared to give him regular milk and I don't know what to do, I take very good care of myself and like you I have a hubby that is very hands on with our 2 other boys and the baby. Im sorry I wasn't any help but I will definaly research and let you know if any info is helpful, I might call La Leche Leauge today and see if they have the answers.

I just wanted to tell you that the same thing was happening to me. I drank organic mother's milk tea and I took this natural supplement called fenugreek. You can get it at GNC and it stimulates milk production. Hope it helps.

A couple things I can thing of are .. before you have a period your milk supply drops because your bodies fluids are going elsewhere. Also the taste of your milk can be different.. less sweet so sometimes your baby well take less.. and then your supply well drop.. you know.. supply and demand... hope this helps a lil'