[Resi]

My BM supply is going down hill. I thought something was up because I have not been engorged as often and Oliver fights at the breast a lot lately. I don't think he is getting enough now. Last night I had to give him a bottle with the few ounces that I pumped while at work. My boobs were empty! I use to get engorged after a few hours. Now I don't after going 5-7 hours at night! I just tried to pump at work and got maybe an ounce out of both! It had been about 2 hrs since I fed him. I have about 70-80 ozs frozen but that will go fast. Before my supply was great. I'm going to be SOOO upset if I can't get it back up. I do not want to use formula. I love nursing him. I'm headed over to the breastfeeding section on JM for advice. I feel like crying.

[*Anna*]

Have you visited LLL (la leche league)'s website??? There is sooo much info there. And check with your hospital where you delivered about a lactation consultant. Your supply shouldnt just dwindle... also, I know my BFF drinks a special tea every day, 2 x's a day, and takes a couple supplement vitamins to help keep her supply. She is nursing her 4 month old, and still nursing her 2 1/2 year old and doing great! I will email her this post to see her input, cuz I wouldn't want to switch to formula, not after 2 months!!!

[niknok]

I'm sorry Resi. I also was going to suggest the lactation consultants where you delivered. Maybe they can start you on Reglan, a drug that may help if a bunch of other natural methods don't.

[Resi]

Have you visited LLL (la leche league)'s website??? There is sooo much info there. And check with your hospital where you delivered about a lactation consultant. Your supply shouldnt just dwindle... also, I know my BFF drinks a special tea every day, 2 x's a day, and takes a couple supplement vitamins to help keep her supply. She is nursing her 4 month old, and still nursing her 2 1/2 year old and doing great! I will email her this post to see her input, cuz I wouldn't want to switch to formula, not after 2 months!!![/b]

I have some Mother's Milk Tea. I'm going home to drink some after work. I think part of the problem is that I'm waiting half the day before eating. I'm not making time to get some breakfast or lunch. Sometimes I'm only eating one meal a day and a snack before. Plus, maybe I'm not drinking enough.

[**Jenn**]

Aw Resi, I'm sorry you're having issues now! But there's so many things that you can do to help keep your supply up. The most basic things are eating oatmeal and drinking your water. But you can also drink Mother's Milk Tea, take Blessed Thistle, and Fenugreek. I had to do all of these when I was nursing Liam. The tea I drank twice a day, blessed thistle I took one capsule twice a day, and the fenugreek I took three capsules three times a day. The fenugreek will make you smell like maple syrup but that's how you know you're taking enough.

Plus, Oliver is at the age where your supply is evening out. You will not feel engorged like you did in the beginning but that doesn't always mean there isn't enough there. My breats hardly ever got engored with either of the boys and there was always more than enough for Lochlann. Actually, the last time they even felt full was when Loch was a couple months old. And I was never a good pumper. While the boys could get several ounces out of me (I know because I weighed them before and after) I can barely get an ounce with my double electric pump.

He's also probably hitting his 3 month growth spurt--not ideal timing since you're starting work, I know. I think though that this weekend you should just sit and nurse him. That's the best way to increase your supply. Whenever my boys went through a spurt it would be a good 3-4 days of fussiness and much more nursing to increase my supply to their new demand. Maybe even try pumping when he's done with a feeding to stimulate your breasts more. What I used to do was literally camp out on my couch during these times. I made sure I had enough water, snacks, the tv remote, my laptop, books, and whatever else I wanted and just sat there and nursed. Until you go back to work, consider this your full time job!

Big HUGS to you! I'm sure everything will be fine!

[IamMom]

My supply went downhill fast when DS was about 5 or 6 weeks old and I tried to pump and feed him more often everything, nothing helped and he was a hungry boy....so I just let it go and gave him formula - he and I were both much happier. It does happen...sometimes the body just has a mind of its own - but there has got to be some more things you can try if you really want to keep up the BF'ing. Good luck Resi

[LisanAndy]

I'm sorry Resi, HUGS! I didn't BF Taylor but plan to try to BF Rylie so I have no advice to give. Hope your supply improves.

[Resi]

Aw Resi, I'm sorry you're having issues now! But there's so many things that you can do to help keep your supply up. The most basic things are eating oatmeal and drinking your water. But you can also drink Mother's Milk Tea, take Blessed Thistle, and Fenugreek. I had to do all of these when I was nursing Liam. The tea I drank twice a day, blessed thistle I took one capsule twice a day, and the fenugreek I took three capsules three times a day. The fenugreek will make you smell like maple syrup but that's how you know you're taking enough.

Plus, Oliver is at the age where your supply is evening out. You will not feel engorged like you did in the beginning but that doesn't always mean there isn't enough there. My breats hardly ever got engored with either of the boys and there was always more than enough for Lochlann. Actually, the last time they even felt full was when Loch was a couple months old. And I was never a good pumper. While the boys could get several ounces out of me (I know because I weighed them before and after) I can barely get an ounce with my double electric pump.

He's also probably hitting his 3 month growth spurt--not ideal timing since you're starting work, I know. I think though that this weekend you should just sit and nurse him. That's the best way to increase your supply. Whenever my boys went through a spurt it would be a good 3-4 days of fussiness and much more nursing to increase my supply to their new demand. Maybe even try pumping when he's done with a feeding to stimulate your breasts more. What I used to do was literally camp out on my couch during these times. I made sure I had enough water, snacks, the tv remote, my laptop, books, and whatever else I wanted and just sat there and nursed. Until you go back to work, consider this your full time job!

Big HUGS to you! I'm sure everything will be fine![/b]

Thank you for all the advice. I'm not giving up easily. I will make sure to offer him the breast a lot and try pumping afterwards. He usually only takes it if he is hungry. My poor little baby has been getting mad at my breast and I didn't know why at first. I thought he was getting too much but he wasn't getting enough.

[misfitinmn]

Resi, I went through the same thing with Ben around the same age. He just WOULD NOT nurse, especially for the last feeding of the night. I had to give him a bottle and then pump after he went to bed, and this lasted for several weeks. I just stuck with it and kept offering him the breast, figuring that what little sucking he DID do during that time, was stimulating my body to produce more milk. I also stopped feeling engorged around this time, too. I am sure your supply has not dropped as much as it may seem, it maybe dropped a bit and just combined with Oliver's behaviors, it just seems like there is not enough. Eventually, Ben did get over it and now he is back to nursing like a champ and very efficiently. Are you still feeling your milk let down? Can you hear him swallow when he does nurse?

Also, I don't know what kind of pump you have, but someone in my DDC had good luck with adjusting her pumping. Starting out the pumping session with short, quick pumps, and then when the milk starts flowing, slow the pump down to longer, harder pumps to simulate the baby's natural nursing pattern. And speed it up again when the milk slows. I think that is how she explained it.

Good luck, Resi! Please don't feel like you need to quit - if you want to make it work, you can totally do it!

[ScottishBrit]

I know how you feel. But mines always been like that. I only get slightly engorged after 10 hours ( from last feeding to when she wakes, but believe me Im not getting that much sleep ) and I think thats crazy!! Ive never been lucky with my supply so Im on 10-12 FenuGreeks a day on top of Oatmeal for breakfest. Sometimes Ill have a Nature valley Granola bar with Oats in it as well. Im trying and have tried EVERYTHING to up my supply. Seems the only thing thats has worked good lately Is after Im done feeding her I pump for 10 mins. I save that milk ( usually 1/2-1Oz ) add them all up and have a small bottle to feed her extra at the end of the night. She doesn't like being nursed to sleep anymore so I had to start doing that. But I still have days when I feel like my supply has gone down...Maybe It's just random? Im sure thats whats going on with you too... I hope Yours get's better soon...

[**Jenn**]

Also stress is a supply's worst enemy! So as hard as it is to do when you're worried, try and relax!

[Adriana's Mommy]

I'm sorry hun.. {{hugs}}

Adriana was a lazy eater at the breast since birth.. I had to exclusively pump for 6 months, which is alot of work. My advice is to relax and if you can't get your supply up due to work, try doing half breast milk and half formula.. It's not worth stressing over.. And don't worry about all the stuff you read on the web about formula.. I lost my milk when I went back to work full time.. My job is to hectic and pumping and working 10 hour shifts did not work together.. I switched Adriana to Organic formula at 6 months and she stayed right on track with her growth curve. She's always been exactly in the 50 percentile range in length, weight, and head measurements.. Or as our Pediatrician says, she's Growing Perfectly So the formula made no difference vs. when she was on breast milk.. Please don't beat yourself up over this..

[soImarriedAnerd]

I think **jenn** put out all the major issues I had also. Get the boob in that boys mouth as much as possible and pump for 10-20min afterwards to get your supply up. The engorgement is normal to stop/slow down about now anyway.
Is he still having enough wet diapers a day? If he is then he is getting enough, he could just be having other issues with stress/growth spurt/nipple confusion/lazy baby lol-they love the nipples over the breast because its no work for them! Don't give up if this is something you really want to do (which I know it is) Try a BF support group that does a weight before and after would be a good idea also if your still concerned.



I think **jenn** put out all the major issues I had also. Get the boob in that boys mouth as much as possible and pump for 10-20min afterwards to get your supply up. The engorgement is normal to stop/slow down about now anyway.
Is he still having enough wet diapers a day? If he is then he is getting enough, he could just be having other issues with stress/growth spurt/nipple confusion/lazy baby lol-they love the nipples over the breast because its no work for them! Don't give up if this is something you really want to do (which I know it is) Try a BF support group that does a weight before and after would be a good idea also if your still concerned.

[Resi]

Resi, I went through the same thing with Ben around the same age. He just WOULD NOT nurse, especially for the last feeding of the night. I had to give him a bottle and then pump after he went to bed, and this lasted for several weeks. I just stuck with it and kept offering him the breast, figuring that what little sucking he DID do during that time, was stimulating my body to produce more milk. I also stopped feeling engorged around this time, too. I am sure your supply has not dropped as much as it may seem, it maybe dropped a bit and just combined with Oliver's behaviors, it just seems like there is not enough. Eventually, Ben did get over it and now he is back to nursing like a champ and very efficiently. Are you still feeling your milk let down? Can you hear him swallow when he does nurse?

Also, I don't know what kind of pump you have, but someone in my DDC had good luck with adjusting her pumping. Starting out the pumping session with short, quick pumps, and then when the milk starts flowing, slow the pump down to longer, harder pumps to simulate the baby's natural nursing pattern. And speed it up again when the milk slows. I think that is how she explained it.

Good luck, Resi! Please don't feel like you need to quit - if you want to make it work, you can totally do it![/b]

I never have been able to feel my let down. I can hear him swallow when I know my breasts are full. When they feel empty I don't hear him swallow. I have a Pump In Style. I have been putting it to full speed. I'm not going to quit. I will keep trying. I don't think I'm that bad off. I just need to make sure I can pump enough while at work so that he has it while I'm gone. Thanks for your advice.

I think **jenn** put out all the major issues I had also. Get the boob in that boys mouth as much as possible and pump for 10-20min afterwards to get your supply up. The engorgement is normal to stop/slow down about now anyway.
Is he still having enough wet diapers a day? If he is then he is getting enough, he could just be having other issues with stress/growth spurt/nipple confusion/lazy baby lol-they love the nipples over the breast because its no work for them! Don't give up if this is something you really want to do (which I know it is) Try a BF support group that does a weight before and after would be a good idea also if your still concerned.
[/b]

He still has plenty of wet diapers. He also has a BM every day or other day. He weighs 11 lbs and some odd ounces so he is doing well. I just noticed a chance in my supply in the last 2-3 days. I pumped about 2-3 oz this morning after feeding him. I'm not giving up. I do not want to ever have to give him formula because I'm just not for it at all. Plus, I LOVE nursing him. It's very special to me.

I guess this is why they had wet nurses in the past? For something so natural, breastfeeding sounds pretty complicated.

I hope you can get that supply up Resi. There are tons of great suggestions here I am going to pack away in my head for the future too.

[~Jess~]

If you can pump ANYTHING after feeding him, then your supply is not a problem. And if he's having plenty of wet diapers, then he's getting enough.

Around 6-8 weeks is when your supply regulates and begins making just enough milk for baby's needs. Before that, your body overproduces just in case. Once your supply regulates, then you won't feel engorged anymore. My breasts rarely even feel full anymore and it was the same way when I was nursing Ethan. And at the end of the night, they are like 2 deflated balloons--that's normal too--it ensures that baby gets lots of fatty hindmilk before bed.

I couldn't pump anything out once my supply regulated when I was nursing Ethan. Not even an ounce--but I nursed him exclusively for 8 months before introducing solids and he gained weight and thrived. Pumping is not indicative of your supply. If you want to be able to pump while you're at work, then start pumping every single day and in a few days your body will respond and increase in supply.

Make sure you're getting at least 1500 calories a day. Buy some protein bars or Ensure if need be to boost those calories. I know how hard it can be to find time for a meal.

Keep up the good work, Resi. Oliver is so lucky to have you for his mommy!

[**Jenn**]

He still has plenty of wet diapers. He also has a BM every day or other day. He weighs 11 lbs and some odd ounces so he is doing well. I just noticed a chance in my supply in the last 2-3 days. I pumped about 2-3 oz this morning after feeding him. I'm not giving up. I do not want to ever have to give him formula because I'm just not for it at all. Plus, I LOVE nursing him. It's very special to me.[/b]

Ok, so I'm super jealous of the bolded! I never pumped that much when they've skipped a feeding and I was on the verge of engorgement, let alone after they've already eaten! And I have the same pump as you!

It looks like your supply is fine, Oliver may just be having some fussy days. I don't think you'll need to stop nursing or introduce formula at all. You're both doing soooooo great!

I have never felt a letdown either. I don't think its uncommon not to.

[Frozendesire]

Resi! It sounds like you are doing a wonderful job. Oliver sounds like he is thriving just fine If wet diapers and poops are the same.. then your supply should be just fine. Like the other ladies have said your body is regulating and only producing what he needs. To even be able to pump anything after a feed is VERY impressive and indicates a great supply

[petalfuzz]

hooray for bf-ing mommas! Keep your spirits (and calories) up!


Waaaaaaay to goooooo!

[Resi]

All of you ladies made me feel much better.