Need Help with Dwindling Breast Milk Supply

Don't panic, get plenty of water, cut out caffeine. For breast fed baby 1 ounce at night might be enough. The upside is breastfed babies learn to eat only how much they need, where as bottle fed babies usually don't. They just eat until the bottle is empty.

Even if she isn't getting much, she is getting something. Is her weight slipping? Does she seem like she's starving? Maybe sneak in an extra feeding or pump/express at night after she's in bed to increase demand.

I agree with the previous posters but also, it has been pretty stinkin hot around here lately so don't forget to up you water intake.
I always try to grab a glass of water before I sit down to nurse but lately I have had to remind myself to do that because, I just don't get thirsty like I did in the beginning.
Really though, I'm sure she is getting what she needs...or you would be hearing about it or seeing it in a decreased amount of wet diapers.

just because they dont feel full to you, doesnt mean there isnt enough in there, if baby seems satisfied after nursing, then she is probably getting enough. if she is eating solids now, your supply should be a little less, i was never engorged, even in the beginning, and i am still nursing my 10 month old.

Go to Bulkherbs.com and order you some mothers milk tea.
Great stuff!

I experience a similar issue. I found out that I was feeding my son too much solid food at first. According to our pediatrician, up until age 1, breast milk or formula should be the primary food source & solids are just supplemental.

So, maybe try cutting back on the amounts of solid food you're feeding. Don't cut out meals -- just cut back on the total amount offered per meal.

I also found, as a general rule, if I didn't get enough sleep, my supply definitely suffered, so I had to be careful to get enough sleep, even taking naps whenever I could (like on the weekend), and skipping all but the very basics in terms of housekeeping & socializing (I'm one of those people that really need my 8 hours of sleep, and if I got less than 7, my supply dwindled).

When I had trouble with milk supply, my lactation consultant had me take fenugreek pills until I literally smelled like maple syrup, drink a near-beer every day, drink mother's milk tea, and nurse frequently. The drug Domperidone is NOT approved by the FDA but does result in stimulating the release for prolactin, the hormone needed to create breastmilk. I have a friend who used it with great results, but as it is not FDA approved, I'd just say to research it before considering it.

To me, it sounds like your body is reacting to her demands.

There is no scientific evidence that I can find to support the claims that products like Fenugreek actually increase milk supply.
http://www.drugs.com/npp/fenugreek.html
http://www.healthychildren.org/English/ages-stages/baby/b...

Other people will tell you how much extra you need to drink. I was a milk-producing fool with both kids (though I had to stop nursing my daughter at 12 weeks to start chemo), and I barely consume 40 oz of liquid a day on average.

Demand is the best way to increase supply. So, if you're waking-up full, pump each breast empty, and let her demand in the morning help your production.

Nature is an amazing thing. As hard as it may be to see your supply dwindling, she may be becoming so much more efficient that she's not wasting as much (dribbling down her chin), and she is replacing the calories from milk with solids, so it may have to do with her appetite at certain times/day.

Increase her demand, and you'll increase your supply. Trust that nature is providing her what she needs as she transitions from milk as her primary food source to solids.

I began to panic around 10 months when I wasn't pumping as much during the day while at work. I was still pumping ~32 oz/day between waking-up and evening pumping. His demand was just reducing as he made the transition.

Good luck.

It's all about demand and supply. It was at the point where mine started to dwindle too, so essentially the more you pump the more your supply will increase, but it won't happen overnight. I used fenugreek, brewer's yeast, & mother's milk tea to keep me going till 11 months and then at that time I was like I'm tired of this constant pumping (I pumped three times while at work, then after every feeding).

I agree with everything Dana said.

I would also add that even if it seems she's not getting a lot at night, you may not really know. My son nursed 20 minutes at a time when he was a newborn, and he now nursed 5-7 minutes max (he's one), but I know he's still getting a lot, he's just more efficient. I also never felt my milk let down.

Also, if she doesn't get a lot at night, she'll compensate in the morning. And if you're that full in the morning, she may be getting her biggest feeding then. The same is true if you miss a feeding due to her napping or something. It just means she'll take more at another nursing that day if she needs it.

I have also read some recent studies about beer helping increase production. If you're worried about the alcohol, what I read said alcohol-free beer has the same benefits. Drinking a lot of water helps, and not stressing does too! You can also pump directly after your nighttime nursing to increase your supply in the evening. However, if she's gaining weight, then I really think you're doing fine.

Your baby will get what she needs. And even if she only gets a little at the night nursing, she's still getting the comfort and care you're offering her to help her fall asleep. Sometimes nursing is more about comfort and bonding than nutrition.

I had the same issue with my son! I found that getting My mother's milk tea from Central Market worked best for me! It is organic and it really does help! Also, are you making sure you are drinking enough water? Try drinking a glass of water before she latches on, and then drink one while you are nursing. That always helped me!

First off, kudos to you for nursing to this point! I always like to say that b/c it is hard and you're doing awesome! Secondly, remember that she is able to get more than you realize. A couple of suggestions...make sure you're getting enough fluids (water/milk) later in the day. You can also massage your breasts to encourage more milk to let down. Is she content when she finishes nursing? Is she sleeping well? You might be worrying unnecessarily. If she's getting her calories earlier in the day, she might not need as much in the evening.

~N. (moma of 3 lil' princesses)

That happened with my first. I tried pumping more and there are some teas you can drink to naturally increase supply. Does your child seem fussy and hungry still or are you stressing? Stress plays a factor too.
You can continue, don't worry:)

Have you thought about contacting a lactation consultant . . . or even a La Leche League representative. I am still nursing my 23 month old daughter (up to 5 times in 24 hours) with her eating as any normal toddler would. Generally speaking, your body should continue to produce milk long after just the first year :)