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XP: BF Moms: Drop in supply after 6 months...

sixressixres
in Working Moms

I pump at work 3 times a day, for at least 20 min a session.  At the beginning, I used to get 6-7oz per session (that's when I was doing just 15 min).  Today I got 3oz at the first one and 2.75 at the second, and 1.75 the 3rd.  That's only 7.5oz, last week I was getting 10oz through 3 pumps.  I started Fenugreek (3 pills, 3x/day) over a week ago and More Milk Plus last night.  I want an oversupply.  Should I power pump at night after DS eats?  He nurses last at 8:30/9pm.  When should I do it?  I was pumping on my way to work (about 20 min after he ate) to add a session in and after a week of that, it added maybe 1/4 of an ounce.  Should I add Mother's Milk Tea too?  Should I set my alarm and pump at 3am or something when milk supply is highest?  I know it won't be fun, but should I do it for awhile?  I know it's about supply and demand, but I'm not sure when I should demand it.  Maybe AF is coming?

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Re: XP: BF Moms: Drop in supply after 6 months...

  • trinnytrinny member

    Hey there-- I've noticed Mondays are always the worst pumping days.  I can't speak to anything else, but I usually dip into my stash or use my a.m pumps from the weekends on Monday.  Do you pump any extra on the weekend?  I always get ~ 4 oz every morning because DD only nurses on one side at night.

    That said it does take more effort to make my oz than it used to.  I try to keep drinking a lot of water and try eating oatmeal more often.  GL-- hang in there.

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  • KeyWestDWBrideKeyWestDWBride member
    Hmm this happened to me around the same time I think. Is he cutting a tooth? I noticed DD nursed less which caused a dip in my supply when she was cutting a tooth. Another thing that messes up my supply is being overtired. I did Fenugreek but it made my daughter fussy as did the tea. I would try oatmeal and rest and lots of water. And try not to stress (easier said right)! For me it seems when my supply dips it just eventually comes back. Good luck!
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  • NicoleWINicoleWI member
    I don't know what to tell you, but this happened to me as well right around 6 mos and my supply hasn't gone back up. Or, actually, what seemed to happen was that I had enough at home BF DD, but started having a really hard time getting anything when pumping. DD did decrease what she's drinking as we started a routine of 2 meals/day of solids and that has helped. She went from 4.5 ounce bottles at daycare to 3.5 ounce. I got my first PP period this week, about a month after the supply drop started. Don't know if that's related or not!
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  • DallasHornDallasHorn member
    Yes I had a dip around that time too. Are you doing breast compressions and massaging?  The dip could be a number of factors: stress, your body getting ready for the return of AF, baby cutting a tooth, you could be fighting a bug, etc, etc, ect.  The best course of action is rest, water, oatmeal, FREQUENT nursing and pumping.
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  • MplsMamaMplsMama
    Hi there - I'm usually a lurker, but I just had to share what my LC told me when I had a drop in supply a little after 6 months... she told me that at 6 months post partum, the hormone prolactin (which is the hormone that produces the milk) returns to is pre-pregnancy levels, which means at this point forward the only way to increase your supply is to pump/nurse more often. She told me that herbal supplements rarely help after this. I did find it helpful to eat oatmeal every morning, drink 100 oz of water every day, have a beer at night before bed (after nursing and one with a lot of hops) and get as much sleep as I can. Good luck!
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