EBF: dip in milk suppy when pregnant? what to do?

eisenberg0814

Hey mamas,

I might be pregnant again with #2, but it is a little early to test. we are not doing anything to prevent and thats okay. I am suspecting something because my supply dropped dramatically the last two days and I am super tired... but my question is, how do you deal with it? My LO is in daycare for another 5 weeks until we hire a nanny (so I need to pump) and eats three solid meals a day. when she nurses, she nurses for 2-5 min only, except nights - thats when she takes her time...

One other comment: I had her out of daycare for two weeks and nursed her, never pumped, cloud that be it also? I dont want to give her formula!!!!

Thanks...

agmaso

Hmm, I had the opposite problem. My supply went up but it seemed to have turned into water or something cause DD was always hungry... I made it for 2.5 more months and then had to start supplementing.

?

Anyway, have you tried just nursing her extra? Whenever I noticed a drop (before PG though) I'd just made sure I let DD latch on more often so she'd stimulate the production (even if she nursed for a shorter time). It seemed to work.?And when she is in daycare, you could just pump more often.?

I'd also make sure you are eating well. I took in all the calories I could get.

?

crackerjackprinter

I'm in the middle of this debate right now.  My DD is older though, so it is different for me.  I can simply up her calcium rich foods as well as solids in general and hopefully not have to supplement with whole milk.  If, however, you are truly pregnant and experiencing a dip in supply you may have to supplement with formula.  If/When you know for sure, contact your pedi and see what they say.

However, know that you don't have to completely wean.  Don't let them make you think that you do.  I'm doubting that the 2 weeks you nursed exclusively caused a drop, since the baby is more efficient.  However, if you somehow manage to pump more than she takes in (which you can only truly know by weighing her before and after a feeding) then your supply would have adjusted to just what she needed.  

If you are pregnant, DO NOT take fenugreek to try and up your supply.  It is not recommended during pregnancy.  According to several things I've read, there really isn't much you can do to improve your supply while nursing.  

I hope this was helpful.  GL!

lynnbeez

I had a huge dip when I got pg, that just got worse and worse and I had to stop EBFing at 14 weeks pg but DD was over a year so we switched directly to whole milk.  I did take More Milk Two supplements which is ok for pregnancy. 

https://www.motherlove.com/product_more_milk_two_glycerite.php

Just FYI, I had a dip in supply with ovulation every month, this is common and normal.  The supply will recover on its own post ovulation.