Milk supply drying up?

seasalt123 · July 2016

Since my LO was born, I've had an oversupply which I've probably taken for granted.

For the sake of my sanity, I am very dependent on the bottles of expressed breast milk. I take them out in public as I'm not comfortable breastfeeding there and DH handles the first night shift with a bottle as well. It's also great to have the flexibility to have my mom take care of him.

I had family member suddenly pass away and had to leave town to attend her funeral on Monday. It was a long drive and not ideal for a small baby so I left LO behind and brought my pump. I didn't pump on the drive up (7-8 hours) or the drive back home and just did mega pumping sessions 3-4 times each day. I returned Tuesday evening. I knew it wasn't ideal but it was the best I could do under the circumstances.

I anticipated a drop in production but figured that, with my oversupply, I could handle it. Plus I intended to nurse nonstop once I got home to get back on track.

As of yesterday I noticed a big dip in supply (I used to pump 12 oz in my morning pump and this went down to 4 oz yesterday). I vowed to get on track today. However, this morning I couldn't even pump 1 oz. I have now gone from worrying that my oversupply had depleted significantly to actually worrying that my milk is completely dried up.

Has anyone had this happen before with previous babies? Is it possible to get it back? I'm going to power pump and nurse LO nonstop but my nipples are already feeling a bit raw. I'm so worried there will be no coming back from this.

kitandcat · July 2016

I don't have experience with this, but they said in my breastfeeding class that pumping less often for longer does not appropriately tell your breasts how much milk to make. So I would say best bet to get back on track is to either 100% breastfeed and don't pump so your baby is taking exactly what he/she needs and your breasts know exactly how much to make (I would think this would be ideal?), or if you're pumping then pump as often as baby eats religiously for a few days? I am sure you can get back on track, but it will probably be after a few frustrating days!!

I am not comfortable breastfeeding in public either, even with a cover... So I always BF in restrooms or changing rooms. It's not always pleasant but definitely helps to jot have to pump and prepare bottles... And there's always somewhere private everywhere you go - I just avoid places that would have gross bathrooms

kbrands7 · July 2016

You can recover it. I had this type of dramatic supply dip when I had an ER-worthy norovirus with DS1. I nursed like crazy, drank lots of water, gatorade, and mother's milk tea. I also went wild with the calories for a few days (I know the literature says you can have a supply with 1800 per day, but I also know I pumped more after eating a huge cheeseburger. Every time.) Eating oatmeal, barley, brewer's yeast, and flaxseed helps too. If you pump, do power pumping until your supply is back up. Try to either pump or nurse every 2hrs for the next couple days and you should be back up to speed especially since you had a healthy supply for so long.

seasalt123 · July 2016

Thanks both of you. It's nice to get support.

That's a relief to hear @kbrands7. I can tell LO is frustrated from not getting the amount he's used to with the suction he's used to and that's a bit heartbreaking.

On on a positive note, though, I just hauled out my old single pump just to test if maybe my double pump needs some valve replacement. The single pump has gotten 3 oz so far from one side (this is the overachiever side) so, while I can tell production is still way down, I'm a bit calmer now that I can see SOMETHING coming out.

Im going to heed your advice kbrands7 and eat more the next few days, drink more water and power pump at least once a day. Power pumping established my supply so I am hoping I can get it back. It's very heartening to hear you were able to.

vinerie · July 2016

Hang in there @seasalt123! I don't think milk supply can dry up that quickly. PP gave good advice, and I would add to try to relax in some way as stress and anxiety can affect production, from what I've read. I'm sorry to hear about the loss of your family member. Take care...

seasalt123 · July 2016

Thank you for the kind words @vinerie. It was my beautiful (and young) aunt in a tragic accident. She was a prenatal nurse who was so supportive after the birth of my baby. I am so grateful she got to meet him last month. Please tell your loved ones how much you care for them.

lalala2004 · July 2016

I'm sorry you're going through all of this! I'm sorry for your loss and I'm sure you can get your supply back with plenty of nursing. Maybe even waking up for extra pumping sessions at night (unless he is waking to nurse) would help.

JennyS86 · July 2016

totally agree with @kbrands7 and @lalala2004 . adding a pumping session or nursing session between 1am and 5am can help with hormonal milk production, as much as we want to sleep through the night. That being said, rest is also important, especially with a stressful and sad life event going on.
So Sorry for your loss!

seasalt123 · July 2016

Ok that sounds like a plan. I will add in an extra pumping session when he's snoozing and turn the morning pump into a power pump. I've also been offering him the boob every 1.5-2 hours today. Fingers crossed.

dsmith211 · July 2016

I had this happen when my mom visited for a few days. I got bad about pumping regularly and my supply dropped obnoxiously and I was only getting like an oz total per pumping session. It's definitely doable to come back. I drank tons of the mothers milk tea and Gatorade and got on a strict pumping schedule of every 3 hours for a week. Now I'm back to normal. I find as long as I stay on a 3-4 hour schedule during the day and at least once during the night now things stay good.

DanandVan · July 2016

My friend mentioned to me that Le Leche League has a 24 hr hotline you can call to speak with lactation specialists. Might be worth a shot just to get a professional opinion, although I'm sure these ladies are all giving you sound advice as well.

seasalt123 · July 2016

Thanks for all the advice ladies. I was back up to 8.5 oz with my morning pump. So, While my supply did take a hit, it definitely didn't dry up. The power pumping the last two days probably helped as well. Thanks so much!

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