Pumping 5oz down to 1oz-what is happening?? HELP

laura3462

the last 2 days my pumping supply has been half of what it has been! I replaced Medela, membranes, wiped diaphragm on pump,  increased to a bigger flange, pumping every 2 hours, eating oatmeal, drinking tons of water. LO is 4 months. Just started dropping 12a feeding, which is the only thing that has changed. I have been stressed but that shouldn't make to much of difference.
Before I was pumping 5oz left-3oz right, NOW 1oz left, 2oz right. What the heck is going on?

mommaofmultiples

I am sorry but I have found that stress does greatly affect my pumping output.  The things I found to help combat this is: having a set routine that you go through prior and during pumping (for example, I always set up my pump supplies, go to the bathroom, start pumping and read my Kindle while pumping and doing manual compressions.  Oh and I look at pics of my DD during the let down phase), push the let down button about half way through pumping to get a second let down and turn up suction, and I learned to not focus on getting a specific amount each pump session but rather the total that I get from 3 pump sessions.  For example, my DD eats 4 oz with each bottle and I used to think I needed to pump 4 oz each time, but I realized as long as I pump 12 oz over the day I'm good.  Hope this helps.

RachelCA29

That's a really sharp drop, and since you've checked everything else (membranes are always a big one), are you sure your pump itself is working properly?

I would contact the manufacturer and rent a hospital grade pump in the meantime. The hospital grade suction will help get your supply back up, although it's not very portable for taking to work.

CNYBride05

You could be about to have your period. I haven't had mine yet, but I've heard supply takes a huge hit for the few days before and during AF. Is your LO still nursing as usual?

surpriseaddition

I agree with PP about stress impacting your output. I found that if I closed my eyes and actually visualized running water (like a water faucet, waterfall, stream) it helped my body to relax and my milk flowed much better. I never looked at the bottles or my boobs. I would just wait until what I thought was the right amount of time, would open my eyes to check the time, and just focused on that (versus any output amount).  GL! 

laura3462

Thanks everyone. I went up a flange size thinking maybe that was my issue. It was not. I have an IUD and have had spotting ever since PP. She is nursing as usual occasionally dropping 12a feeding. I will try everything and some herbals.