Does Breast Milk Change When...

Medically/scientifically speaking.. I don't know.. but I did notice I was not able to produce as much or the let down took longer when I had my periods when nursing. I think the kids did get fussier then because they weren't getting as much. I had to almost meditate and find a way to really relax during these times and it helped some. Try drinking even more water during this time.

With my #4 child I had a difficult time producing milk from get-go, it was suggested I take fenugreek and another herb.. I cannot remember the name - I want to say thistle something but not the milk thistle. I am not sure either of these can be taking while menstruating but it couldn't hurt to look into it.

you might be surprised at what foods can bother a kids.. and as they get older their taste buds could change.. and whatever you eat can flavor the milk so your baby might not like the taste.. or digestive-wise. their gut might not be able to take it.

for example: I noticed when I had garlic and onions my kids got really fussy and wouldn't nurse.. they didn't like the taste.. and they got really gassy. I did find that I could eat cooked onions though. so it might be worth keeping track of what you are eating and seeing if you notice a correlation with certain foods. As a general rule of thumb - if it makes you gassy it will make the baby gassy.. but not always the case each kid is different. Strong flavored food will flavor the milk to. Chocolate is supposed to make them gassy too.

So consider foods... and the possibility of lower production during that time of the momth.

Oh my goodness! I had the exact same question. My little one (now 4 months) gets sick everytime I am on my period with extreme spitting up. He did at 2 and 3 months, as well. I know kids spit up, but this is more gastroesophageal reflux than just spitting up. My other one has a doctor appointment today, and I will ask her about it and get back to you.

Breast milk continues to change throughout breastfeeding. In the beginning it's mainly collostrum, then changes as baby's needs change. It truly is amazing. Anyway, it is totally possible that the change in hormones (yours) has caused baby to realize that something's different. However, keep encouraging your baby to breast feed. It helps brain development up to 2 years old!! That was recently in the Seattle Times.

Yes it can change the taste of your milk, usually only for a day or two as your period starts. It is common for a baby to not want to nurse very much for those couple days, but should be fine after that.

Otherwise your baby could have a little stomach virus.

You can always call www.nursingmotherscounel.org

The only thing that could change about it would be the level of hormones, and that shouldn't make her sick. Does she drink cow's milk on her own? She may have a slight intolerance, or she could just have a little bug, and the breast milk is just setting her off a little. I would wait until your period is done and see if it is still happening. Either way I would suggest talking to her doctor if it lasts more than two weeks or stops within a couple days of your period stopping. I'm sure it's nothing serious, my best guess really is that she might just have a little stomach bug.

Jennifer - I am not a nurse, doctor, or lactation specialist, but I WAS a nursing mama to my boys. Both of my kids nursed, although my younger one was the one that nursed longer. He nursed until he was 18 months, and I started my period when he was about a year old. He never did anything, never spit up, never seemed to care. My other son nursed until he was one, and I got my period when he was one month old, and until he stopped nursing at age 1, he didn't notice that I was having my monthly. I don't know what would be causing the spitting up, but I don't think it would be the period....I could be wrong and my boys just didn't care.....Good Luck! L.
You could always call a lactation specialist (your OB or Midwife would probably have one that works with them) or you could call LaLeche League and ask them what could be causing that, and if your period has anything to do with the taste of your milk.

Have you changed your exercise routine? Milk is a little sour after you exercise.