where is my milk??

mediaperuana

I'm becoming very concerned about my milk production, which seems to have dropped off sharply.

DH gives DS a bottle of expressed milk at bedtime, and while he gets that, I pump for the next day. I was getting 3-4 oz, and for the past 1-2 weeks, I can barely scrape together 2 oz--using the manual or the electric pump. I've blown through my whole freezer stash to make up the difference.

DS also seems very frustrated at the breast. Letdown seems to be taking longer, and then once the milk is flowing, he only nurses for about 2 minutes before he starts popping on and off. At the point I'll try to hand express to see what's going on, and I get nothing. And when he gets that bottle at bedtime, he guzzles it down like he hasn't eaten in days.

We have started solids, but I always nurse before giving them, and haven't decreased the frequency of nursing. In fact, I've been nursing more often, as well as adding pumping sessions after nursing, eating oatmeal, drinking lots of water and Mother's Milk tea, to try to boost milk production. No luck.

I know he's getting some milk, but I'm worried it's just not enough. It's hard to gauge accurately on our home scale, but it doesn't seem like he's gained any significant weight since his 6 month doctor's visit on the 2nd.

Thoughts, suggestions, personal experiences?

Dannysmama

It sounds like you are doing all of the right things - my only suggestion that has worked well is to add 1 or 2 pumping sessions more than the number of times your LO nurses.  It is a pain, but DS goes to sleep around 7, so every night, I pump between 9-10.  I started off getting an ounce or two, but doing it every night consistently, I'm up to 5 oz.  If supply dips, then I powerpump during this time.  On days when I'm organized or not teleworking, I also pump 15-20 minutes after the first morning feed.  

As for your LO's frustration, could it be a growth spurt?  My DS pops on and off as well, but he seems to get distracted easily - I put a A&A blanket over my shoulder to get him to focus.  I think Kellymom mentions that this starts to happen around this age.

GL!   

KayLorraine

Having the same problem over here too. I talked to a lactation consultant and she said to pump after every feeding to help increase my supply. She said you need to give it a some time. She told me to call back in a week if it didn't help. Also, fenugreek has helped a LOT. I am taking two capsules in the AM one at lunch and two in the PM. Also a ton of water and I cannot work out at all really stinks, but everytime I up my activity level the supply drops. I have noticed a difference with the pumping after a few days. Takes a ton of time and it's a real pain, but worth it to bring the milk back. Hope it gets better!

tiffanyp

Are you premenstrual? With DD1 I got my period back at 7 months PP, and right before each period my supply would dip. It was super frustrating and every month I thought I was going to give up, and then my supply would come back.

pitterpatter129

Around 7 months was when I had issues pumping enough at work for DS1.  Eat more calories and try a nursing vacation over this long weekend coming up.  Don't pump at all, just nurse, nurse, nurse the entire weekend.  Use whatever you pump on Friday for Monday.  Pumping will cause decreased output overall when done as a replacement for nursing, like pumping a bottle while DH gives a bottle.  Instead, pump at times the baby wouldn't normally be eating.  Do you pump after he eats in the mornings before work?  That was always when I got the most, even if he's just eaten. It's also growth spurt season for the Feb babies!  I remember panicking with DS1, but after about a month, it went right back to normal output.  Hang in there. 

mediaperuana

Thanks, all, for the ideas and suggestions. I'll just keep doing what I can, maybe trying a nursing "vacay" this wknd. And a batch of oatmeal cookies couldn't hurt.