My Milk Supply Has Decreased and My Son Won't Take Formula

Are you sure that your supply has really declined? If it has, your supply will come back. Try to drink a TON of water, and encourage your son to eat more. I have heard that fenugreek works for some, and also that Mother's Milk tea they sell.

I would also call UNC and ask to speak to a Lactation Consultant. They have consultants on staff. I called them and they were very helpful.

I wish you the best and commend you on working hard to do the best for your son.

If you have any milk at all, try by putting just maybe 1/4 formula in a bottle with 3/4 breast milk. Work your way up to all formula. Also, if he is not used to a bottle, try putting it in a sippy cup or even a regular cup which you hold for him (my son completely skipped sippy cups and was drinking from a regular cup--with my help--at 8 months. He just didnt want the sippy)

I had this w/my daughter, and although it's not the most pleasant way to get him to drink formula, I will tell you that he will do it, even if you have no milk left. I got pregnant while nursing and although my midwife said I could keep nursing, my body did not agree and my milk supply compltely dried up. 100% gone. My daughter had never had formula and she wanted no part of it. She went a couple of days starving and screaming b/c she wouldn't take the formula. I felt awful, but could do nothing about it! By about day 3, she was slurping down the formula (I'm sure she was SO hungry!). My daughter was younger than your son and so was not yet on solid foods. If he's getting lots of solids, he may not be as anxious to go to formula, but if he's hungry enough, his basic instincts will kick in and he'll drink formula. I'd suggest making sure he's very hungry (don't give any solids beforehand) when you try to formula. Obviously I'm not suggesting not giving solids--just to do so after you've tried him to take the formula!

ps--I see several people are saying to keep nursing and it will come back. I've nursed my children with no formula at all, but with my daughter, it did NOT come back. My body was obviously tired with the other pregnancy and just did not want to produce any more milk! I pumped, saw a lactation consultant many times, did the whole drip-milk on the nipple thing, fenugreek, etc. I was absolutely dead set against formula. Although it's true MOST times you can get the milk supply back up, do not beat yourself up about it or feel guilty if you can't.

Eating oatmeal is supposed to help. It helped me when my supply started getting low. Also make sure you are getting enough to eat. When my daughter was 10 months old she weaned herself and I started giving her formula. She liked the formula. If you nurse him often your supply should adjust to his needs.

I know the PERFECT person for you and she's in Durham. Rosemary Kolasa 919/477-6535 5309 Ventura Dr, Durham, NC 27712 www.iahp.com Rosemary--Kolasa. She's a Lactation Consultant and certified CranioSacral therapist. She's a real advocate for breastfeding and has equipment, books etc. She's wonderful and very easy to talk to.I hope you will contact her.She's my friend and CST.

M. Swenk
____@____.com

Nurse, nurse, nurse, rest, rest, rest. It really will correct itself. Hop in bed with your little one, do nothing for 72 hours. At this age your kiddo is getting to be a more efficient nurser so you might also find that they are actually gettign plenty, just not taking as long to nurse. How mobile is your 10 month old? At this age, also, they get more and more mobile and less interested in taking the time to nurse. This is a very typical time for the nursing relationship to be evolving and with all the change in your life, too... no wonder you're struggling. Hugs, hang in there, stay committed. You can do this!! Remeber the laws of supply and demand. Up the demand and your supply will follow.

Private message me if you like, and I will give you my number. Sometimes you just need someone that is pulling for you to listen. It's so easy to "just give them a bottle" when that is what everyone suggests.

Hey Paula,

My son is 6 months and I had the same problem about a month ago. There is the Wholes Food store on Ninth St. in Durham that you can go get some tea called Mother's Milk in the white box. It doesn't have the best taste but if you take about 3 cups a day it helps build your milk supply back up. Don't get the Yogatime kind, it doesn't work as good. Also let him nurse as much as possible, but pump whitin an hour of him finishing and it keeps you stimulated. When you shower be sure to massage your breast to help with building your milk back up. Remember the more you are stimulated the quicker your milk will come in. Also REST and drink lots of water.

I think with the move and new home, you are stressed, and have not taken care of yourself. Please slow down, and sit back and begin drinking copious amounts of fluids. This will bring on the milk supply, and slowing down, you will relax, and can enjoy with precious baby.

The fenugreek was my advice. I also would try a vitamin store, whole foods or a natural foods store to see if they have any other supplements they would recommend.
My memory seems to believe that I used some type of special tea to help with milk production. And, of course, the more you nurse the more you will produce. Even if you think your son is not getting any milk, the suckiling will help you produce. I would stay away from formula, if you have to supplement use canned goats milk. BUT the more you supplement the less you will have later! Again, just keep him at the breast as much as possible. Let him stay there as much as he wants! Good luck with this and also with settling in to Durham.

S./Cary