I'm losing my supply :(

queenbone · May 2014

I have been struggling with this for a couple of weeks now, not every day, but more often than I'd like, I run out of milk for her in late afternoon. I have been supplementing with formula. Today I didn't have enough for her after lunch so I gave her a bottle, and now, the time of day I'm usually low, I still don't have enough for her even though I haven't really nursed since 11:15.

(

So, I'm feeling pretty down about this. I have a lot of guilt because DS1 weaned himself cold turkey at 9 mo, and I weaned DS2 at 15 mo so I could go on IF meds again. He would have been perfectly content to keep our nursing relationship going. This will be my last nursing relationship, I'm sad at the thought of it ending prematurely. I really wanted to do extended nursing. But maybe I am just getting too old? I never had supply issues with the other two.

I don't really have a problem supplementing with formula at 10 mo per se; I really hate the pump so I'd rather use formula then try to pump to get my supply back up. But do you think that if I don't pump that my supply will continue to tank? And if I do just give her bottles of formula, which session should I do it? The late afternoon one? Or before a nap? And if I offer a bottle before a nap, should I then offer the breast afterwards? Or breast first and then bottle? (I'm also worried this will ruin the napping in the crib situation if I can't get her asleep at the breast first.) We don't have a real set routine, we basically run around all day dependent upon her brothers' schedules and I just nurse her on demand and offer solids at mealtimes.

I re-read the Dr. Sears Breastfeeding book looking for advice and it just made me feel worse about her weaning early.

Any advice or experience would be greatly appreciated.

fabk · May 2014

No advice or experience. Just hugs. >:D<

thewif85 · May 2014

I'm not a nursing mama (retired exclusive pumper), but I don't think that just because your supplementing means that you can't continue to nurse. I never had a great supply and it took me several months to really wean (in my case, from the pump). I can still express milk out, even though I officially stopped pumping almost a month ago.

As for supply, I've heard that it's best to offer breast first and then a bottle. That way your LO continues to stimulate the supply you have currently. And then I would just say try not to stress (it sounds so easy coming from someone else's mouth). I know my supply really decreased whenever I stressed over my supply.

I'm sorry you're feeling sad. Nursing is so personal. When it didn't work out for me and DS I felt like a total failure. I am just now really starting to get over the guilt and let it go. Our LOs don't know any other way and love us just the same. Sending huge hugs.

Unknown · May 2014

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MRads · May 2014

My supply took a long slow descent into nothing from the time I went back to work at two months to two weeks ago when I finally hung up the pump. It sucks. I really don't have any advice, because my pumping sessions were the last to go, but I just wanted to say big hugs. It sucks to want to continue BF and face such a fight.

flkong · May 2014

PP's have great advice. Offer the breast before the bottle to help stimulate production. Otherwise, your supply is going to diminish even more. Also, you did awesome nursing for 10 mths! All the ((hugs)) for you.

queenbone · May 2014

casey78 said:

You sound so busy with yr home and two other LOs to run after. Are you getting enough fluid and calories?

And, just hugs.

Calories, yes, I eat like a champ. Water on the other hand could be a contributor to my problem. I have been consciously trying to drink more water in the last couple of weeks, but honestly, it is so easy to forget to pack a water bottle for me before we head out for the day.

dliz87 · May 2014

I was pretty heartbroken over my supply drying up as well, so I undersand. Big big hugs.

opheliainwaders · May 2014

I just wanted to second @casey78‌ , and also reiterate - even if you do supplement sometimes, there's no reason you can't ALSO keep nursing. I've faced this same issue periodically, and apart from the nursing-to-sleep question, adding formula when she's still hungry hasn't really altered our nursing relationship. I do definitely second @fklang‌'s advice that you should nurse BEFORE supplementing, though, to keep your body producing what it can.

Also, is your LO starting to eat more solids? I noticed a drop in supply around 10 months because she started eating regular meals of "people food," and I think wasn't nursing as long or as frequently as she had before.

Hugs.

Pink724 · May 2014

I'm so sorry. It seems like I might be in the same boat. Hugs >:D<

shara3333 · May 2014

Big hugs. DS weaned himself at 8 months. Reading about it just made me feel worse, but I know I did all I could to keep him nursing. He just didn't want it. My supply was great, then with his nursing time decreasing and decreasing it took a hit. I always offered breast first before supplementing. When he would take it and I was trying yo up supply I'd nurse him every 1.5-2hours like he was a newborn. If he didn't take a breast I'd pump. I think if you don't pump your supply will go down more. Id you can't get LO on the boob more I would pump after LO goes to bed and again before you go to bed. I'm sure it's hard to pump during the day with 3 kids.

new2011mommy · May 2014

I am sorry! My milk dried up at 6 months with DS.

lancomechica · May 2014

Huge hugs!!!

Married071709 · May 2014

((((Hugs))))

DenverBride2005 · May 2014

Hugs--I know how you feel, I have been struggling with my supply this time, too, whereas withDS1 I felt like I never had any issues. I am not able to pump enough each day at work, so I send a formula bottle to DC in addition to what I'm able to pump. On the weekends when we are together I rarely supplement, but sometimes in the evenings if I don't feel very "full" then I'll take a formula bottle with us when I'm putting him to bed--nurse first then give the bottle to make sure he is getting enough. The best advice I can give would be to try not to stress--as long as you are feeding your baby, that's all that matters!

Lelo2006 · May 2014

Have you tried the more milk plus tincture? My supply is going way down and I called an lc. She said to pump every 2.5-3 hours and after 2 weeks I should see a jump in supply. I couldn't really do this because it's so tough with a mobile baby, but it's worth a try?

Also, no idea if there is any correlation, but I feel like my supply goes up after I have red meat...

PrimRoseMama · May 2014

SUPER HUGE HUGS. It's hard when weaning feels beyond our control especially when we want to continue.

I'd nurse as often as you can & let nature take it's course. You've expressed a desire to avoid a pumping stress. So I'd listen to your feelings there. Don't force it because it will make you feel worse.

You do your best & don't feel guilty at all. Dr. Sears is great, but he is not the world to your baby. You are. So formula fed or breast fed-- you are providing loving nourishment & sweet bonding times as only you can. Those times are special. Remember them no matter how they occur.

I can understand mourning the end of a nursing relationship. Whenever DS weans I am sure I will join you. I know my supply tank with DD hit me like a Mack truck. So I've been there.

You are enough no matter how your baby eats. Please be kind to yourself. Anyone that judges you can come talk to me & I'll shank them. :x

WifeyLovesHubs · May 2014

I'm sorry. Sending you hugs!

queenbone · May 2014

Silv3rlining said:

I agree with a lot of what PP's said. Also could it be AF? Or even Pregnancy? (I know you said you did IF, but I guess it could happen? I can't remember if you all did a permanent birth control method or not atm)

That would be a happy miracle, but I don't think that is it. I am in the first half of my cycle, and while we DTD last night, I cannot remember when we did it before that. I intend to 'chart to avoid', but I keep forgetting to do when AF arrives.

Thanks, everyone for your support. As much as I hate it, I think I am going to bring out the pump. She fell asleep after only 5 minutes at the breast before bed. That isn't going to be enough to sustain nursing much longer.

Instead of being grumpy about the pump, I guess I should be grateful that such a thing exists to facilitate nursing, right? Le sigh.

cuterusaurus · May 2014

I'm sorry, big hugs!

emandia · May 2014

Tons and tons of hugs. I know how heart breaking it is.

hollandmama · May 2014

Oh no! [big hugs] I don't have much advice because this is my first BF relationship and I have no idea how long I will survive... however, I would try power pumping if the importance of doing extended BF is greater than the hatred to the pump...

My supply is decreasing too but it's because LO went from 7 to 4 BF sessions per day (by himself) so now I only pump once at work and get half of what I used to get in one pumping session but that is enough for him though...

I hope you find a solution soon, but if you don't, don't feel guilty because it is really not in your hands

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