Am I done EP?

blondii428 · February 2014

I've been exclusively pumping since DS was about one month and he is now 5 months. For the first few months, my supply was amazing (~45 oz a day). In the last month or so it drastically dropped to ~30 oz a day. I started everything I could think of:

Oatmeal

Ground flax seed

Fenugreek capsules

Mother's milk tea

Extra pumping session (was doing 5 now I do 6)

and I've actually decreased even more (~25 oz a day). My original goal was to make it to 6 months but I would really like to try for 12 months. Is my supply pretty much disappearing on me or can anyone think of anything that they may have had huge success with?

MomIn2013 · February 2014

In addition to the above, try drinking tons of water. Also, the fact that you're stressing about it could be what's actually causing the decrease.

isinglouder · February 2014

I had to EP with my son bc of his medical issues. I had tons of ups and downs-and in the long run made 15months before i completely ran out. I tried what you did. i also tried blessed thistle and brewers yeast-different things worked at different times. really important to drink ALOT of water. Also remember to let the pump go a little beyond when the milk stops flowing so there is 'increased demand'. You could try cluster pumping or pumping every 2.5hours for 24-48 hours to see if that helps. One of my major dips was when he was 5months---hold on. it will come back!

vulpini · February 2014

I'm in the same boat. I also hurt myself by dropping two pumping sessions over the course of 3 months though, so it's not entirely like your situation. I've been pumping every 2-3 hours during the day (haven't brought back night pumping yet) for 2 weeks so far and it's not helping yet. My supply isn't dropping further, but it's steady at 21-23oz. My highest supply ever was 34oz when he was 2 months old. DS eats about 30oz now, so I'd love to get back to at least 25. Fenugreek made me nauseous and I noticed DS having runnier poops, so I stopped taking it. I'm going to pick up some blessed thistle today. I'm trying to drink a lot more water during/after each pumping session and I just started an iron supplement in case that helps (I was anemic while pregnant, so I might still be low on iron). Good luck to you!

Mrs_D_in_KY · February 2014

Check your pump. I know with my Medela PISA if the white membranes were torn it took my suction way down. You would be surprised what a little part can do to your suction. Is your pump new? I nearly lost my supply by using a second hand pump from DH's cousin. Motors are only good on average about 1,000 hours.

Also if you're pumping hands free, massage your breasts while pumping. I was able to get an additional let down when EPing by massaging. Plus it felt like I was literally wringing out my breasts to make sure they are empty.

Mrs_D_in_KY · February 2014

Are you also getting enough sleep and eating enough calories? I honestly ate lots of carbs and sweets when I was EPing and it helped my supply. If I was trying to "diet" to reap the weight loss benefits of producing milk, my supply dipped. My supply also dipped around 9-10 months when my first pp AF showed up.

blondii428 · February 2014

Thanks for the encouragement! I've been wondering if EP is too much for my pump and it may be worn out. It's a Medela my insurace gave me so I don't think I can afford another. I replace the membranes regularly and don't notice a change. I will up my water intake and keep at it. I wonder if a round of antibiotics followed by a nasty cold virus this past month have contributed..