Milk Supply

Hope - posted on 04/03/2012

I think you're fine. You pumping less times during the day means you get less at each time you pump- remember that!

Tiffany - posted on 02/03/2009

It's likely totally normal. Within the first four months or so, your milk supply regulates itself so that you're producing what the baby is eating, instead of just PRODUCING. Your breasts *should* feel less full when this happens, and pumping output is never a good indicator of your supply, as it can vary greatly for a multitude of reasons.

If you haven't started birth control recently (hormonal birth controls can negatively impact supply) and your baby isn't showing signs of dehydration, your supply is very likely fine.

Melissa - posted on 02/03/2009

I found that for the first 6 months of nursing my milk supply went up and down a lot. For a few days the milk would be over-abundant and then for a few days it would be hardly noticable. It never affected my little one and my supply did eventually level out. It just took my body longer to do so than for some people; nothing to worry about. :) Your baby will let you know if he's hungry.

I also found with pumping (I only pumped to save milk for making baby food) that if I didn't have a let-down I wouldn't get much milk. And it was much more difficult to have a let down while pumping than it was while nursing.

Jamie - posted on 02/03/2009

I had the same problem...use FENUGREEK.  It is all natural herb in pill form that is specifically for breastfeeding mothers.  I swear by it.  My son is now 6 months old and I am still breastfeeding  and I pump at least once a day.

I hope this helps.

Jamie

Cathleen - posted on 02/03/2009

also...not all women can effectively pump, no matter how good the pump, but always have milk for the baby...which is absolutely magical.  You cannot count on what you pump as a reliable indicator of milk supply.  Best indicator is the baby...if he gives signs of being satisfied...and if he's continuing to thrive.  Relax mom.  Sounds like you're doing a great job. 

Cathleen - posted on 02/03/2009

does it seem like the baby is getting what he needs?  You may have plenty of milk and may not be engorged...not all women are.  At three months they can go as long as 4 hours between feedings.  If you are concerned about milk supply, I recommend a lactation consultant.  There is also an herbal tea called Morther's Milk that encourages milk supply that you can drink. 

Laura - posted on 02/03/2009

Fenegreek and Blessed Thistle in combination work fantastic to boost supply. Also try adding oatmeal to your diet. If you continue to have a declining supply...see if u can get a prescription of Domperidone. I had to go on it at 6 week pp and within days of taking that in combination with the herbs...my supply was fantastic!

Heather - posted on 02/03/2009

I had the same problem and took "Fenugreek"  it worked great.  A couple of things about it though.  You have to take a LOT 6 to 8 pills a day, but you only take it until the milk comes in well.  When you take it, there is one sideeffece, you smell like maple syrup (you really do)  besides that I really liked it, but watch out pretty soon you will have more milk then you can handle.

Jennifer - posted on 02/03/2009

There is an all natural vitamin you can get at health food stores (Henry's I know carries it) called "Fenugreek". It's an herb that helps your milk production. You'll start producing milk with some to spare and it works pretty quickly! A friend who was a Homeopathic doctor recommended it to me a while back. It's great!

Adrienne - posted on 02/03/2009

Just remember it is supply and demand! The more your body thinks it needs to produce milk (due to baby eating and/or pumping) the more it will. I think my milk supply dropped at around 3 months but I think my sons were also going through a growth spurt because they were nursing constantly. I think as long as your baby is getting what he needs its fine. And when he needs more your body will compensate. Make sure you are eating well and drinking enough. If you're really concerned pump more often and keep pumping for at least 2 minutes after all your milk has been expressed to encourage your body to produce a larger supply of milk. GOOD LUCK!

Melissa - posted on 02/03/2009

As long as you are sucessfully continuing to breastfeed and are still able to pump, I wouldn't worry too much about it. The last think you want to do is stress out about it as stress is a big cause for compromising your milk supply. Your body does regulate itself after you have been nursing for a while and is simply regulating itself to your babies schedule. As you baby gets older, he gets more successful at breast feeding and is able to empty your breasts better than in the early weeks which helps. Just make sure to continue to drink plenty of water and get as much rest as you can. Once you get back into your "normal" routine, it is easy to forget you need to drink a lot, etc. Hope this helps.

Erica - posted on 02/03/2009

Yes I agree! But I thought you meant there was less milk at the further apart feedings. Any really serious problem, though, your baby is probably going to let you know within a day or less if he needs more or isn't quite satisfied.

Andrea - posted on 02/03/2009

I have a daughter your sons age and I am going through the same thing. I told to a lactation consultant and her peditrician. It is fine. As long as he is gaining weight it is fine. Your body is doing its job and adapting to your sons schedule. They older they get the longer their stretches can get between feedings. And they eat more at the feedings

Erica - posted on 02/03/2009

I'm not one hundred percent sure...milk supply can be effected by a lot of things. One thing I know can cause milk suppy to drop off a bit temporarily is another pregnancy.



That said, also, if you wait a long time to pump some of the milk does reabsorb into your body. This used to happen to me before my preemie came home, when I was ONLY pumping, and couldn't nurse.



I think at about three months, your milk should be good and strong and increasing. In fact, for at least a year I think milk supply stays pretty good and really increases as the child's demand increases.



Stress, hormones and lack of sleep can all cause a decrease in milk supply. Have you checked out the la leche league websites?



Sorry I couldn't be more help! I know there are a lot of people with expertise in this area that will probably have better ideas! But I know that every time I have had a milk supply problem, the solution has been to milk more often.