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Breastfeeding
Shaynnon
member
Wine suppressing let-down reflex?
Shaynnon
member
I used to have a healthy supply, engorged majority of the time with the ability to freeze regularly. My DD never had any issues latching, and we were among the "lucky" who seemed to have a really good EBF'ing thing going. She even took BM bottles without issue.
Fast forward to the holidays/finals/family visiting etc and my supply plummeted. Then I got my period (3.5 months PP) and all of a sudden my freezer stash dwindled to zero, my supply was barely existent and my daughter was classified as a "slow gainer" at her 4 month appt because she started falling off her curve in terms of weight.
With that said, they said that perhaps I was very stressed out which was inhibiting my let down reflex. I suppose this is a possibility, but honestly - not much has changed in my life and I truly do not feel like I am "super stressed". I have a great supportive husband, loving family etc.
I DID however start drinking a glass of wine on a regular basis (3oz of moscato!) to unwind at night with my husband after the baby is asleep and to just feel like an adult.
I'm under the impression that the wine may be suppressing my let down reflex but I can't seem to find much supporting it? I realize that oxytoxin is responsible for the let down reflex, but the only articles I'm finding suggest "excessive alcohol" can be a possible suppressant (I'm far from excessive!) Stress is more likely?
I'm not sure what I'm asking, maybe just a weigh in? What do you think? Anyone else notice a difference in supply after moderate to light alcohol consumption?
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Re: Wine suppressing let-down reflex?
Alcohol can actually help your let down. I notice no change in my supply when I drink.
Stress can definitely factor in to a low supply or slow let down. If you're constantly worried about how much she's eating that will negatively effect you.
Francesca Pearl is here! Josephine Hope is almost 3!
Funny you say that! I swear that before my doctor said my daughter was a "slow gainer" I WAS much more at ease. She eats regularly (on demand), sleeps well, and is a very happy active baby.
I'm very petite, so it makes sense she is too. I've decided to not worry about how much weight she's gaining (within reason of course) - as long as she is gaining and continues to developmentally thrive.
Thanks for the response!
If you're worried about weight gain, you might want to add a dream feed before you go to bed, if your baby is sleeping a longer stretch.
I haven't noticed a difference, but alcohol can inhibit oxytocin and let down. It's a myth that it helps - studies have shown the opposite. I usually don't try to feed for a couple hours after a drink, so it doesn't matter.
I doubt it's the wine that's really the culprit; it can just be hard to get a distracted baby to slow down and eat often enough. My baby dropped on the charts quite a bit between 4 and 6 months, but he's meeting all his milestones and I can only feed him what he'll eat.
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I don't think that wine is the culprit at all....I mean, if you drank several glasses every night, perhaps...but I would think a glass(or two) would actually help your let down because you're relaxed...