Decreasing Milk supply

Ashley - posted on 03/22/2009

Have you recently started working out? Mine almost vanished when I did...I guess from losing so much water...I wish I would've known that. It wasn't worth it!

Laura - posted on 03/22/2009

Sometimes my breasts won't be fooled by the pump. Pumping can be frustrating, and not the best indicator of how much milk you are actually making. Also, the composition of your milk changes as your baby gets older, it becomes more nutrient rich. Don't be discouraged or stressed out, that will just make this worse for you!

Chantal - posted on 03/03/2009

This happened to me as well. I just stuck with it and pumped every 3 hours and it took a few weeks for it to finally get back up to normal. Drink lots of water, eat enough food and just stick with it. 

I've also read that milk supply can drop around the time you get your period.

Helmi - posted on 03/03/2009

I'm sorry this is happening to you, but I am relieved I am not the only one. I actually never had much milk with my baby, contrary to the first one. There I had plenty even to freeze. Anna does not want to nurse, so I am pumping all the time, thus I know exactly now much milk I am getting and in the last month I have gone from 25 ounces a day to about 17. It's really frustrating, cause I have tried everything from teas to fenugreek. I eat a lot and drink tons of water, and I pump about every 2 hours. Nothing!!! I will try the milk advice. If that doesn't do it, I will stop pumping soon, because now, I also get blocked milk ducts about every other day! I will let you know if the milk thing works! By the way, beer did not help me. But maybe that's because I am German and quite used to beer! ;)

Gina - posted on 03/02/2009

When my milk supply decreases, I drink more milk. Try drinking a nice big glass right before you sit down to either feed or pump. Eat lots of dairy products like yogurt and cheese...you'll be engorged in no time! :)

My mother in law suggested to drink a can of beer, and apparently that works really well! I've never tried it, but I'm putting it out there in case you want to. If you do, let me know if it worked or not! :)

Good luck!

Jamie - posted on 03/02/2009

my milk supply did seem to be decreasing, and then I started having oatmeal in the morning, and a small glass of wine before bed.  Did the trick for me.

Mei Yee - posted on 03/02/2009

I am not too sure what causes it, but have you started solids with your baby? If so, could that be the reason why there is a reduction in milk supply as she is nursing less? Besides nursing your baby, try adding in pumping sessions in between the feeds. This will give your body the signal to produce more milk. When I was trying to increase milk supply, I read somewhere that eating a cup of oatmeal a day will also help to increase milk supply, I tried it and it works! Maybe you might just want to give it a shot.

Brooke - posted on 03/02/2009

Have you tried Weleda Nursing Tea and or Evening Primrose Oil...

It was highly reccomended by my midwives and I've never had any drops in milk supply...quite to the contrary :)

Faith - posted on 02/26/2009

I had that problem and had to stop at 4 months because he wasnt getting satisfied like he usually did.  i took zyrtec (allergy pill) and that decreased it.. certain medications do that.  my friend used a natural remedy by going to a local gnc and got mothers milk and she said it worked alot.  i just stopped because i felt he would be ok and ready plus i hated giving him those nasty vitamin drops..  but i would try the mothers milk.

Cindy - posted on 02/26/2009

As discouraging as that is, I'm a bit relieved to hear of someone in the same boat! My milk has decreased tremendously as well. I never had a TON, but enough to "get by". Now that my little man has been eating more, I've noticed I get less. I've tried to drink more water to no avail. I haven't tried the Fenugreek as I've just supplemented with formula.

Elizabeth - posted on 02/26/2009

I'm not sure what causes it. Have you tried Fenugreek? It really works.