Milk drying up

readyornot12345 · February 2014

So I had a very low supply from day one. Was able to do half breast milk and half formula each feeding. Now at 6 weeks my milk is drying up even with the same amount of pumping and nursing. I'm barely getting an ounce or even half ounce some pumps total. I have no idea how much longer to continue pumping because there is just barely any milk. I guess I should be happy it made it this long.

BoothBaby · February 2014

Have you seen a LC? Just wondering if something might be causing the low supply? I'm sorry you are going through this!

readyornot12345 · February 2014

Ya I did in the beginning. She thought my low supply was caused by my csection and blood loss but really had no idea

tattooedtragedy · February 2014

Are you taking any herbs or supplements to help your supply? I know they have helped my supply and I also had a c section, although that is not what is causing my supply issues.

aundrea1225 · February 2014

I've been EP since we left the hospital and I've been loosing my supply. My pump motor still works great, taking fenugreek and the tea, no clogged ducts for weeks. Eating healthy. I've tried everything and its still dwindling. Idk what to do.

I hope we both find an answer.

cammyisagirlsname · February 2014

Find a good lactation cookie recipe.

Msdoherty · February 2014

Nichole10 said:
Do you think the suction on your pump is working at 100%? One thing I've had to do which sucks is use a hand pump vs my electric one. For some reason the suction on my electric pump isn't a intense as the hand pump. Ameda has even sent me a replacement motor and it still sucks. My manual pump seems to work best and I get the most ounces from it.

How did you get ameda to send you a new motor?

thebobloblaw · February 2014

Nichole10 said:
Do you think the suction on your pump is working at 100%? One thing I've had to do which sucks is use a hand pump vs my electric one. For some reason the suction on my electric pump isn't a intense as the hand pump. Ameda has even sent me a replacement motor and it still sucks. My manual pump seems to work best and I get the most ounces from it.

I don't think the motor on my ameda is great either, they must just be crappy. The strongest it gets it's turned only a quarter of the way up. After that it's all the same. I hate it.

Islandgirl1129 · February 2014

Try mothers love capsules

SarahDavis83 · February 2014

I had the same problem and made it to exactly 6 weeks. Just know that you tried your hardest and gave your LO a lot of important nutrients. I took Sudafed and put cabbage leaves on my breasts, and also wore a tight sports bra. It's been a week now and I think I'm pretty much dried up. The first two days were painful. I took ibuprofen and avoided holding LO up on my chest and also stood with my back to the shower, both to avoid letdown. Still in the sports bra, but feeling much better. We're all less stressed, and Trevor us full of smiles and giggles! Good job for trying your hardest, momma!

readyornot12345 · February 2014

Thanks for the advice. Yup I have tried fenugreek and lactation cookies. None have helped! I have no idea what the issue could be. I drink tons of water too.

clhathaway · February 2014

Have you been checked for retained placenta? I know a few ladies have had problems with that.

cammyisagirlsname · February 2014

Heaven802002 said:

jenniferbromley said:
Find a good lactation cookie recipe.
Day 4 of the cookies and still nothing

Nooo

give it a couple more days!

sugarjack · February 2014

So people say when your breastfeeding you need "a lot" of water. . . but no one ever says what a lot is.
From personal experience I can tell you I'll pull 32-36 oz out of my boobs on days I drink 140+ oz. of water, but only 20-24 if I drink 100 oz or less.

To measure I got a 44 oz soda cup from 7/11 and make sure that I fill it three times during the day. Then I also have my diet dr. pepper.

Hope this helps.

lrvalv13 · February 2014

I agree with PP about making sure you are drinking PLENTY of water I have noticed it makes a HUGE difference on my milk supply. Also i started eating lactation cookies and I even started eating oatmeal for breakfast with brewers yeast and flax seed mixed in (along with all my other goodies i mix in) and it has helped.

thetheisens · February 2014

I'm sorry you are struggling, it sounds like you have tried hard to keep up your supply. Pumping just doesn't work long term for some people to keep your supply up. I EP-ed for a couple months after my ds self weaned before a year and started biting (I tried all the trick LC suggested and he was not having it). I pumped at work and struggled to keep up with what they used at DC, but always seemed to do fine on days when I just nursed. When I started EP-ing my supply just slowly fell off no matter how many times I pump or how much fenugreek I took (and if you take a lot it can give you explosive poop). Luckily, we were at the end of our bf-ing journey anyways and I was so happy to stop sticking my boobs in that damn pump on his first birthday. There is no way I could have made it EPing from the beginning, my supply would have died. You should be proud you did it for this long and tried as hard as you could. Your baby will be just as happy and healthy no matter how much bm you do or do not give them.

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