So I've been BFing for almost nine months. Since we started solid foods my supply has dropped. I was hoping this was only a temporary thing, but almost three months later, my supply is still low. My son is getting 4 ounces a feeding from a bottle when I'm at work, but I can't pump more than 3 ounces every three hours. Obviously this is a problem. We have a freezer supply, but not much, it's only enough to last maybe two or three days. So, what happens next? I've never done this before and I want to continue to BF as long as possible. When the supply runs out do we just switch to formula? Then I just continue to nurse him at night or what? I need help! How does this transition go? I'm still making milk... just not enough!
I'm all but useless for this topic. But there are herbal supplements that are supposed to help with milk supply. I'd suggest looking into that? There might also be certain foods that help or hinder milk production. Hope someone else has good answers.
This is normal. His requirements are also going down. BM adjusts to the age of your child and their dietary requirements... so now it's making more nutrients but less volume. Don't panic!
To help increase your supply you can try Fenugreek and eating oatmeal.
Also, there are tons of articles/advice on kellymom.com to help you through this!
Hi, I am a lactation consultant and I hear this a lot. My first question, do you work full time or part time, and how often do you pump at work? Most 9 month old babies are sleeping through the night, and if you only pump a couple of times at work you are down to maybe 4 times of nursing/pumping a day which over time will cause your supply to go down. If you want to avoid formula, and try to keep up with him through the end of the year, I would try to pump more at work, then maybe before you go to bed if he is sleeping all night. Nurse all weekend, and that will help as well. There are several good herbal supplements out there, Fenugreek is inexpensive and usually works quickly for moms who have had a good supply in the past. Motherlove supplements are also good, but a little more pricey, and harder to locate (in our area anyway). Babies tend to take more from a bottle than they do at the breast, which can cause bottle babies to be heavier, so when you give breast milk in a bottle, often they take more than mom is pumping. Hopefully these ideas will help and you'll be able to continue breastfeeding till he's 1.
Nurse whenever you are home, ON-demand. And at night.
ALWAYS, nurse BEFORE solids. Otherwise, your supply will drop. And then baby will be too full, to nurse, if given solids first. And baby will wean from breast.
This is per our Pediatrician too.
Your supply, will mirror your baby's nursing habits and timing.
DO NOT, 'replace' nursings with solids. Nurse on-demand always.
Nurse first. Then like 1/2 hour later, solids.
YES, nurse him at night. For the 1st year of life, nursing on-demand is needed. That is per our Pediatrician as well. The 1st year of life, is a building-block period for a baby. AND, solids is NOT.... as nutritionally dense, as breastmilk.
Put him DIRECTLY to breast, whenever you can and whenever you are home. That is the best way to keep your supply up, and to have your supply mirror your baby's needs for intake.
Don't worry about pumping - that is not the indicator you need to use to gauge your milk supply. If he's nursing while you are home and only bottle feeding while you are away - your supply will remain stable and enough for your child. If you run out of expressed milk for daycare, use formula but breastfeed on demand while with your son.
I had the same problem. Your baby is weaning himself. He is probably getting more from the breast than you can pump. If you're concerned you can call your doctor's office, but I think it's pretty normal. Continue to nurse at night.
I have never been successful at pumping but my sister in law was a very successful pumper. Every time she would nurse the baby, she would pump after for 10 minutes. She would also pump the minute she got up in the morning, which was about two hours before the baby got up. Then she also pumped at work 3 times per day. Basically your supply will go up the more you pump.
Good luck
I work 4 ten hour days a week. The 4 days away from my baby I do not make enough milk. But the 3 days a week I'm with her I pump on one side every time I feed her. So if you add up all the milk over a week it comes out even. Plus by pumping while feeding I tell my body to make more milk on days that I work, which keeps my supply up.
Mother's Milk tea made by Traditional Medicinals is an option. Recently, a woman suggested drinking rootbeer to me, she said it worked for her with all of her kids.
He's eating food, nursing less, so your body got the message to produce less milk. I'd relax ~ the more you stress the less milk you will produce, give formula for when you are not there, and continue to nurse at night as long as both of you are both comfortable with it. If the night feeding is the only time he nurses stopping it and weaning him completely should be very easy. It was for me, I nursed my son before bed until he was 3.
