non existent milk supply ......

Celeste - posted on 03/21/2012

Sounds like a plan :) At least you know now what's going on and hopefully be prepared next month!

Brooke - posted on 03/21/2012

She does 2 - 5oz bottles while at daycare and then she has 2 jars baby food for dinner. So, I obvously HAVE to get at least 10 oz per day pumped so she has enough to eat. I will just continue as I am and hope that once I am done with my period things will go back to normal. Hopefully I will have enough stored up to not deal with this next month when my period comes back again! :)

Celeste - posted on 03/21/2012

But also remember to not base your supply on baby's behavior. As long as your baby is getting enough diapers, your supply is fine.

Celeste - posted on 03/21/2012

How big are her bottles? Here's a nifty calculator to determine how much she would need:

http://kellymom.com/bf/pumpingmoms/pumpi...



More ways to increase your pump output:

http://kellymom.com/bf/pumpingmoms/pumpi...



It sounds like it's a combination of a few things: your period and a growth spurt. As long as you nurse and pump more often, your supply should be fine.

Brooke - posted on 03/21/2012

Thanks everyone! I am glad that I am not the only one that has dealt with this! Amy, yes, I am doing fenugreek as well as LOTS of water! And Celeste, I realize that the pump is not totally indicative of supply, BUT, if I can't get enough pumped to supply her at daycare, what do I do?!! I am hoping that in the next couple of days things will go back to normal!! Thanks again!

Ania - posted on 03/21/2012

Did you get your period? I just read below that you got your period back. So this is the most possible explanation. Milk supply decreases for some women significantly while they have theie periods, but it comes back to normal after period is over. Drink a lot of water :) should be fine

Heather - posted on 03/21/2012

My son is also 9 1/2 months old...and I also noticed a major change in my milk supply when he hit about 9 months. He seemed to be "fussy" at the breast and I felt like my supply was diminishing as well! I remembered that this also happened with my first two...growth spurt!

Just keep nursing as often as you can (offer the breast as much as possible) and within a few days your supply will be back to "normal"...I also pump on occasion and until about a month ago would easily get 6-8 oz in just one pumping session! Now I get about 4-6 oz. Sometimes maybe only 2-3 oz...and yes I agree with Amy. I also notice that my supply is affected by my period (just went thru that as well this week). Now I can get thru those days without worry that my supply is gone...Hang in there, it will be fine!

Celeste - posted on 03/20/2012

Ahh OK. Pump is NOT an indicator of supply. It's totally normal for pump output to decrease over time. Average output is 1/2 to 2 oz *total*.



Keep an eye on diaper output. This age should be around 4-5 diapers. As long as you're getting good diaper output, your supply is fine!



It could be your period but as long as you nurse more, your supply will be fine! Also 9 months is another time for a growth spurt!

Amy - posted on 03/20/2012

Brooke then I would almost bet that it is completely related to your period. I know many women don't notice a change in supply but I certainly did. What I did when I felt like my period was about to start is start popping fenugreek, it's an herbal supplement that will help increase supply. I would take that for about a week and increase my water uptake. After my period left I would be back in full production. I also had to pump while at work so I remember how frustrating it was.

Brooke - posted on 03/20/2012

I work full time, so I pump while away from her for her feedings at daycare. I was getting 8+ ounces per day pumping while at work, and another 3-4 ounces of the evening, now I am lucky to get 3 ounces TOTAL for the DAY!! Of an evening at home, while she nurses, she will latch on and then just fuss cause she's not getting anything. In the morning, after she's slept all night long, I am still not getting any milk for my morning pump........and yes, Amy, I just started my period Saturday (the first one since birth). I am drinking water all day like no other, and taking herbs to encourage the milk supply. Any other suggestions? Thanks so much for you help! I am so frustrated with this.......

Amy - posted on 03/20/2012

Are you about to get your period? I noticed that my supply would drop a day or two before my period would begin but then once it started returned to normal.

Celeste - posted on 03/20/2012

How are you determining that your supply has gone away? How many diapers in 24 hours?

Brittney - posted on 03/20/2012

Nurse more often is my only advice, you can also talk to LaLeche or your doctor or even a nursing consultant.