I have noticed sometimes at night my breastmilk production seems to decrease even though I am drinking plenty of water. I am staying away from caffeine pretty much all the time. Anyone else have this problem or know what causes it?
The reason I think my production decreases is because I will put her to bed around 9pm. When she wakes around 2am she will feed off the right side for maybe 10 minutes then become satisfied and go back to sleep then I will go and pump the left side just to have a supply for later and literally nothing will come out. I find myself confused sometimes as to the fact that this does not happen every night, but when it does I think I am not drinking enough. How can I go 5 hours and not have a drop in one breast, but apparently enough in the other to satisfy her? I usually produce 3oz. from the right and between 1-2oz on the left after about 3hours. At night things are different
Try alternating each night which breast your baby feeds off. No matter how much you pump, you are not as efficent as your baby at empting the breast. You might be able to pump 2-4 oz, but the baby is getting more than that for sure.
Good luck.
Breast milk supply is typically highest during the night and first thing in the morning- the hormone prolactin is highest then. Caffeine doesn't usually affect milk supply and as long as you drink to thirst you don't have to worry about water intake (you have to be very dehydrated for lack of water to cause a problem and increasing water above what is needed will not increase milk).
Do you feel your milk is low because baby is fussy? Most babies have a fussy time of day- often it is around dinner time but my youngest would turn into a monster between 11 pm and midnight. Is baby otherwise seeming unsatisfied? Or is it just feeling less full? More information about why you feel your milk supply is low might help you to get more helpful advice. In the meantime check out www.kellymom.com for great breastfeeding advice.
try to pump while nursing on the r side...I know it is a pain in the bum to get up and everything, but while she is nursing she will stimulate a natural let down on the left and you will be able to pump more...
I believe our body learns what to predict quickly and responds to it, even down to knowing how much is needed at each feeding/time. If you are always letting her nurse during the night on the right side, your right side will probably continue to produce well, while the other side may decrease production. I would try alternating sides she nurses from during the night. Good luck!!
A.,
Your body naturally produces less milk at night and more in the morning to follow the babies schedule...less active at night - need less milk...more active during the day - need more milk.
First of all, congratulations on breast feeding!! It is so good for your baby!
I found switching breasts and not letting her nurse off the same breast help (baby is much more efficient than the pump). I also found eating oatmeal and taking fenigreek helped with my supply.
All the best!
C.
www.passionparent.com
