my milk is slowing down, any tips?

arob2009

So I've been back to work since the 1st of the year and haven't had to supplement.  It helps that I had a stash saved up.  It hurts that I decided to ditch NIP because it is easier to just feed a bottle of pumped milk.  It also hurts that I rarely can pump 3x at work.  I also pump in the AM before I leave and have just started pumping right before bed (which yields about 3 oz or so).

This week my supply has started to dip.  My AM session used to be enough for more than a bottle.  My pumping during the day used to yield 5 oz bottles each time, now its more like 3oz.

I am okay with supplementing formula, but I'd prefer to keep nursing as long as possible.  Both for the health benefit and also to help with cost.

Any tips on what you've done to keep the milk flowing?

haleymay18

arob2009:

So I've been back to work since the 1st of the year and haven't had to supplement.  It helps that I had a stash saved up.  It hurts that I decided to ditch NIP because it is easier to just feed a bottle of pumped milk.  It also hurts that I rarely can pump 3x at work.  I also pump in the AM before I leave and have just started pumping right before bed (which yields about 3 oz or so).

This week my supply has started to dip.  My AM session used to be enough for more than a bottle.  My pumping during the day used to yield 5 oz bottles each time, now its more like 3oz.

I am okay with supplementing formula, but I'd prefer to keep nursing as long as possible.  Both for the health benefit and also to help with cost.

Any tips on what you've done to keep the milk flowing?

Wait, are you nursing too or eping?

DDearinger

I haven't taken anything (yet) but may start doing that soon b/c I'm not getting as much as I think I need to each pumping session.  But one thing that helped me once I got back to work and my supply really starting dropping was drinking GALLONS of water a day.  That definitely helps.  But I'll be looking to see what others say too...

CA_EAM

The same thing is happening to me at the moment.  I don't know for sure what helps, but I am trying to add a pumping session at night before bed.  I also find I need to eat more.  My fingers are crossed that will help.  Looking forward to more suggestions!!

The_Jen626

FYI, it's very normal to have a 4-month supply dip, and a 6-month supply dip.

Some things I did...eating oatmeal in the morning, drinking TONS of water, eating lots of protein, just eating in general...

I made it to 6 months with about 50/50 breastmilk and formula, and then at 6 months my milk completely dried up.

arob2009

haleymay18:

arob2009:

So I've been back to work since the 1st of the year and haven't had to supplement.  It helps that I had a stash saved up.  It hurts that I decided to ditch NIP because it is easier to just feed a bottle of pumped milk.  It also hurts that I rarely can pump 3x at work.  I also pump in the AM before I leave and have just started pumping right before bed (which yields about 3 oz or so).

This week my supply has started to dip.  My AM session used to be enough for more than a bottle.  My pumping during the day used to yield 5 oz bottles each time, now its more like 3oz.

I am okay with supplementing formula, but I'd prefer to keep nursing as long as possible.  Both for the health benefit and also to help with cost.

Any tips on what you've done to keep the milk flowing?

Wait, are you nursing too or eping?

I nurse at home when I am with him.  About 3-4 times a day.  On the weekends, I nurse as much as I can, but if we go anywhere I give a bottle instead.

arob2009

The_Jen626:

FYI, it's very normal to have a 4-month supply dip, and a 6-month supply dip.

Some things I did...eating oatmeal in the morning, drinking TONS of water, eating lots of protein, just eating in general...

I made it to 6 months with about 50/50 breastmilk and formula, and then at 6 months my milk completely dried up.

 

When you were doing 50/50 how did you work that out, did you still pump as many times, or did you cut back?

 

TIA!

The_Jen626

arob2009:

The_Jen626:

FYI, it's very normal to have a 4-month supply dip, and a 6-month supply dip.

Some things I did...eating oatmeal in the morning, drinking TONS of water, eating lots of protein, just eating in general...

I made it to 6 months with about 50/50 breastmilk and formula, and then at 6 months my milk completely dried up.

 

When you were doing 50/50 how did you work that out, did you still pump as many times, or did you cut back?

 

TIA!

I still pumped 3x a day at work, it was important to me to give as much breastmilk as possible. But I went from pumping 24oz a day, to pumping around 10oz a day, it sucked! Let me know if I can answer any q's for you : )