Sudden loss of breast milk supply at 2mo

Chelsea - posted on 05/31/2009

Okay so here is what works for almost 100% of women. Shitaveri. It's an herbal capsule that my lactation consultant gave to me when I was loosing my supply a few weeks ago. Take 1 capsule 4 times a day and feed him as often as he will eat. Also if there is time pump 2-3 times throughout the day. Eat well and drink lots of water to keep you healthy. Don't supplement with formula unless he stops gaining weight (you can set up weigh ins at his doctors office or with a lactation consultant). Supplementing will make this problem sooo much worse. Good luck. You can also buy some mothers milk tea and drink 5 cups a day.

Ryann - posted on 05/31/2009

It's the Fenugreek! I take it for my supply and when I get lazy with taking it, my supply drops. I take Motherlove More Milk Plus Special Blend NA (has the Fenugreek and Goat's Rue in one). I also take Alfalfa in a tincture which increased my supply alot.

Susan - posted on 05/31/2009

For the first 2 and a half months my milk supply flex alot, somedays it seemed I had almost none other days, seemed like too much, If you have started birth control I would make sure that your on the mini pill, it doesnt mess with milk supply as much as the others, I would def keep at it, and not give the bottle unless hes "begging" for it, just keep at it, hopefully he'll get the hang of it :)

Charlotte - posted on 05/30/2009

Nursing every hour is perfectly normal, espcecally if he's going through a growth spurt. It doesn't mean your supply is low, but it will help increase your supply. His diapers sound good; you know if it's comming out, it had to go in, so that's the best indicator of how much he's getting.



I don't know if it's a good idea to stop taking Fenugreek cold turkey. It's probably a good idea to start taking it again (maybe not 12 a day but maybe the 9 a day?) at least until you talk to an LC again? Honestly, what I know about Fenugreek is sketchy since I have never had to take it. I do know it's supposed to work better if you take Blessed Thistle at the same time, so you might want to get some of that as well.



Another thing that can help increase milk supply is eating oatmeal (apparently the old fassioned stuff works better, but instant works for some people including myself). Also be sure you are getting enough rest and try not to worry because stress can actually decrease your milk supply.

Alaina - posted on 05/30/2009

Keep taking your Fenugreek! I am still taking it and my daughter is 7 months old. Also, have you started taking birth control again because that can affect your milk supply. If he is feeding every hour he may just be having a growth spurt and your body just needs a few days to catch up.

Lauri - posted on 05/30/2009

Thank you for trying to help me, Charlotte, Jill, Bridget, and Emily,
I'm sure I'm not pregnant. I may be getting my first period since I gave birth. I did expect to this past week or next, since I think I ovulated a couple of weeks ago. I was taking the Fenugreek because my son lost weight in his first few days and the lactation consultant wanted me to start taking it. I started with 9 capsules a day, then she increased me to 12. I stopped during week 8 because I didn't think I should still be taking it - but that may just be my misconception. My milk supply has been good all this week until yesterday/today.
I change his diaper every 2 - 3 hours - they seem to be consistently wet.
He normally feeds every 2-3 hours, but today he was eating every hour.

Charlotte - posted on 05/30/2009

Yes, kellymom.com is a great resource for breastfeeding info. Other great sites are llli.org and breastfeeding.com.

Emily - posted on 05/30/2009

Be careful offering the bottle can make things worse. First of all if your baby is getting milk from a bottle then your body is not getting the message that it needs to make more milk. Also, babies learn very quickly that the bottle is easier to eat from. That can cause fussiness at the breast. They learn to prefer the bottle over the breast. The best thing to do is nurse as much as your baby will eat and put the bottles aside. You might also want to read about growth spurt on that kellymom.com (I'm not sure if this is the website...someone varify this for me please). Growth spurts really threw by body for a loop and made me question my milk supply and my ability to bf all together.

Jill - posted on 05/30/2009

babies tend to have a growth spurt at around 7-9weeks and seem really hungry and it can seem like your milk is drying up - it isn't your body is just gearing up to make more - in a weeks time you may find your breasts are really full as your baby is out of the spurt and your body needs to adjust again - relax - my midwife advised me to have a breastfeeding day, where all I did was feed my baby and cuddle her all day - my supply was very quickly back to normal.

Bridget - posted on 05/30/2009

At about 8 or 9 weeks, my milk supply finally "settled". I still had milk, but didn't get engorged anymore. My daughter would fuss and play up, pull off, pop on, she'd been living the easy life and never had to suck much as I was super fast-flow squirty boobs to start with! From memory it took a week for her to master the new technique (sucking to produce let-down) instead of just putting her mouth on and being able to drink. I am still successfully breastfeeding her, she'll be a year old next month.



Don't offer formula or bottles, your son needs to learn how to stimulate a good letdown. You can help by doing visualisations and affirmations - my body will provide what my child needs, my milk will nourish and fulfill my son.

Charlotte - posted on 05/30/2009

Is there a possiblity that you may be pregnant? Are you getting your period? Both of those can affect supply, pregnancy moreso. How have his wet diapers been? How often does he nurse?



Why were you taking Fenugreek and why did you stop? There are many things you can do to increase supply, but first I think we need to establish if indeed your supply has gone down; that's why I asked about his wet diapers, though sicne he has had bottles they won't be as effective of an indicator.



If there is even the slightest possiblity that you may be pregnant, I think a pregnancy test is definately in order.