Oral Contraceptives and Milk Supply

julze · January 2011

My little bit is almost 3 months old and my milk supply is fading. I drink plenty of water, eat enough protein and have been on fenugreek 3 pills 3X a day for at least a month now. I have also tried oatmeal. I decided to take myself off the pill because I figured that was probably the problem. She is eating enough from the breasts which is great but I can't seem to pump a whole lot out. My freezer stash is empty. I have never had a great supply but I'm worried that I won't be able to feed her breastmilk until she is a year old like I had hoped. Have any of you had milk supply issues while on the pill or other form of BC?

Rink08 · January 2011

I haven't been on BC, but my OBGYN just told me at my follow up that if I was planning on BFing long term that they do not recommend any hormonal types of BC because it can decrease your supply.

ReidsMommy · January 2011

I started on the mini pill at 3 weeks because I was breastfeeding great- and within 2 weeks my supply was almost completely gone. LO dropped to the 5th percentile for weight! I quit the pill.I have been slowly building back up with fenugreek and pumping after nursing. Still giving a little supplement with formula though just to catch him back up.

JuliaBug · January 2011

I am on the mini pill and haven't had any supply problems. I have stopped pumping for now though since DS won't take a bottle anyway.

kristinchamness · January 2011

Your story sounds word for word like mine. I was on the pill for a week and a half and my daughter started getting really fussy and was barely gaining any weight. And pumping became a fruitless nightmare. I stopped the pill and started fenugreek a few days ago. I also heard about Goat's Rue and am going to try that. Check your child for tongue tie. We had our daughters fixed a few days ago. It can contribute to low milk supply and low weight gain. Good luck and hang in there. It can be so frustrating.

KailaF10 · January 2011

ReidsMommy:
I started on the mini pill at 3 weeks because I was breastfeeding great- and within 2 weeks my supply was almost completely gone. LO dropped to the 5th percentile for weight! I quit the pill.I have been slowly building back up with fenugreek and pumping after nursing. Still giving a little supplement with formula though just to catch him back up.

I had posted about my issue with the mini pill 2 weeks ago and most of the ladies on here told me I was crazy! I started in the first of Dec. & within 4 days DS was getting fussy bc I was loosing my supply. Its taken me a month to finally satisfy DS but I'm still not getting my full amount when I pump. I have been eating Oatmeal and yogurt and feeding DS or pumping every hour.

KailaF10 · January 2011

ReidsMommy:
I started on the mini pill at 3 weeks because I was breastfeeding great- and within 2 weeks my supply was almost completely gone. LO dropped to the 5th percentile for weight! I quit the pill.I have been slowly building back up with fenugreek and pumping after nursing. Still giving a little supplement with formula though just to catch him back up.

I posted a month ago about the mini pill and i was told i was crazy. I started it the 1st of Dec. and within 4 days my supply had decreased and DS was fussy. I quit the pill and I have been eating oatmeal and yogurt and i finally seem to be satisfying DS, but I cant pump my full amount anymore. Good Luck

julze · January 2011

Thanks guys. I'm really hoping it's the pill that has caused these issues. Feedings can last an hour and a half now with the low supply!! That's a lot of time consumed breast feeding everyday!! If I don't notice a change in a week of being off the pill I will consult a lactation specialist.

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Oral Contraceptives and Milk Supply

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