Anyone else have less milk in the afternoon/evening?

moonsparkles · May 2014

What are you doing about it? I know I have less milk because I have been pumping in addition to BFing in order to increase supply. But I definitely don't have as much in the evening. I continue to drink lots of water throughout the day. Just wondering if anyone out there has the same problem and what you do about it.

Thanks ladies.

heids4787 · May 2014

Yep - completely normal! My LO eats constantly throughout the day, so I anticipate any night pumping to result in a lesser amount. Pumping amounts can be deceiving, too, since babies are more effective at extracting milk than a pump.

If you're stashing milk to freeze in the evening, you might have more success by taking a hot shower first and massaging your breasts while pumping. This helps me. :-)

RedDawnsRevenge · May 2014

Totally normal to have less in afternoon/night. This has a ton to do with biology: prolactin levels are higher in the wee hours of the morning(which is why night nursing is so important).

Rrrrrachel · May 2014

Yes this is normal.

MamaFantastic · May 2014

Same here

mrscrcalli · May 2014

RedDawnsRevenge said:
Totally normal to have less in afternoon/night. This has a ton to do with biology: prolactin levels are higher in the wee hours of the morning(which is why night nursing is so important).

Go on about this please... 8->

*sparky* · May 2014

Yes. Definitely normal.

nicole mackenzie · May 2014

Interesting that prolactin is higher first thing in the morning. I assumed I had more milk in the morning because LO goes 3-4 hours inbetween nursing verses 1-2 hours during the day.

heids4787 · May 2014

Science is so cool! :-B

Lovelife14 · May 2014

As for what I do about it... Nurse, nurse, nurse all evening. Lo nurses a ton in the evening!

RedDawnsRevenge · May 2014

Here's what kelly mom has to say about prolactin levels and nursing:

https://kellymom.com/bf/normal/prolactin-levels/

littlesocks · May 2014

This seems interesting. The link to Kelly mom says "Since stress can elevate the prolactin level, the patient should rest (but not sleep) before the sample is obtained."
More prolactin means more milk, right? So based on what kelly mom says wouldn't it seem like stress should increase milk supply?
I've heard being stressed can negatively impact milk supply.

MrsZ0811 · May 2014

Amsull324 said:

This seems interesting. The link to Kelly mom says "Since stress can elevate the prolactin level, the patient should rest (but not sleep) before the sample is obtained." More prolactin means more milk, right? So based on what kelly mom says wouldn't it seem like stress should increase milk supply? I've heard being stressed can negatively impact milk supply.

fro what my bfing class taught, stress doesn't necessarily decrease supply but rather makes let down more difficult.

littlesocks · May 2014

@MrsZ0811‌ that's good to know!

moonsparkles · May 2014

Interesting...thanks girlies.

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