Loosing supply

[Halla17]

My supply is suddenly dropping right before I go back to work. I don't have much
Saved up either. Advice??

[JassyRadlett]

How old is your baby - and what are your symptoms for reduced supply?

[Halla17]

He is 8wk I was able to pump n get 5oz out of each side in between his feedings now can barely get 2oz. I just don't feel like I'm filling back up

[NickyEds]

Is your baby still gaining weight? Lots of wet and dirty nappies? Generally content?

It's extremely unlikely that your supply has suddenly dropped. It's more likely that your supply is settling down as bf becomes established. My boobs started to feel soft (rather than that rock hard feeling) at around this time- they're milk factories not warehouses so you just become good at making milk on demand rather than your boobs going mad making loads at the beginning.

5oz of milk per boob is an extraordinary amount (!!) but expressing isn't a measure of milk production so don't worry about that at all.

[Halla17]

I went from feeding him n pumping 5oz to feeding him and barely getting an oz after. He is still happy n full. I think the birth control they gave me messed it up. I stopped taking it to see and my milk is coming back.

[WLmum]

Also take loads of fenugreek - when you start to smell like maple syrup, that's enough! It really worked for me. Keep pumping whenever you can too if you really want to work on supply.

[NickyEds]

If you are directly ebf your baby on demand you really don't need to express to maintain supply. Your baby is doing it!!

He is still happy n full.

There you are then! Happy and full

[Halla17]

I have to return to work tomorrow. So I won't be al lbe to ebf anymore. I would like to avoid formula if at all possible too.

[AlohaMama]

You should find that pumping at the same time that you would normally feed should produce about the same amount of milk as your baby needs. You then bottle that for the next day, so u only really need one day extra milk to get you through the first day. You need a good pump, to be relaxed, look at photo of baby etc. And some people find they can't pump enough, despite their best efforts. If you want to build up extra, pumping after your first morning feed is normally the best bet as that is often when you have most milk
Also pumping one time at the same time each day to mimic your baby adding in an extra feed. You might not get much the first day or two but then your body should increase supply to meet this new demand. I had to go back to work when my DS was 12 wks old, and managed to ebf till he was 6 months, at which point I did find my supply didn't keep up and I started topping up with formula..I also second fenugreek tablets, plus drink lots of water. Kelly mom website has good information. Good luck.

[Halla17]

Thank you, I really think the birth control they gave me messed with my supply. Before I could get so much. I'm sure I'll get back up there but bad week to drop :(

[NickyEds]

How long will you be away? Are your work going to find you somewhere suitable to express and a fridge to store your milk in? Is your baby ok with bottles? As pp says you'll almost certainly get quite a bit of milk when you pump having missed a feed. Hope it goes ok op.

[Micah]

I posted exactly the same when my first was about 8 weeks.

Your supply does settle down about now, to only what the baby needs. It also co-incides with a growth spurt, so even if you have been pumping, the baby taking more = less to express.

If you want to keep expressing you need to treat it almost as an extra feed. I used to pump at 9pm as that was the longest break between feeds.

As pp have said, if you pump when you are scheduled to feed, you should get a full feed out, or near enough.

[Halla17]

My supply is going back up again. My work is great when it comes to it. Nice room comfy chair plus extra time too. As for little one he does well on bottle, he would rather have me, but he still eats well.