Milk drying up at 11mo but want to continue bf

[hairRaising]

DD is 11months and my milk supply is suddenly dwindling. I really want to bf as long as possible but not sure how to protect supply. Sadly she has never comfort fed, only nurses whilst milk flows.

I'm guessing the reasons may be:
Her solids intake increased a lot at 9mo and bf reduced.
At same time I stopped bf on demand (roughly every 2h throughout day) and put her on a routine due to my return to work.
My period has just returned.

I know supply is reduced because:
She gets impatient and hits my breast or bites me;
Getting a let down takes ages & she sometimes gives up before it comes;
Up until 9mo I could pump 6oz easily and now it takes ages to squeeze out 2oz:
Her nappies are drier, she sips water at meals but main fluid intake was breadtmilk.

Any ideas how to save our nursing relationship? Is there any way other than pumping to reinvigorate supply (I honestly don't know how I could fit pumping in a few times a day)

tIA

[Narya]

Hey, no answers I'm afraid but bumping for you

[JiltedJohnsJulie]

Honestly, your supply will be fine. It will be more than established at 11 months plus the amount yiu can express is absolutely no indication of how much you produce, she will be so much more efficient at getting out the milk.

If you do want to continue, I’d talk through what’s happening with a BFC. She can help you come up with a plan. Have you got the help,one numbers?

[hairRaising]

Thank Jilted for your reply.

I've pumped successfully for the past 10 months, and not sure why my pump output would suddenly drop if it weren't for supply lowering? I agree pump output is not an accurate indicator of what a baby can take from the breast. But it is an accurate measure that I'm suddenly pumping much less than before. Coupled with less wet nappies, that seems to point to a drop in supply.

I'm looking to maintain a bf relationship with my baby. Biting and hitting me when she gets no let down is not helping that.

I've also got a painful cut on one nipple which bleeds when I pump that side and is very painful when she feeds. I think it's an old cut from her teething several weeks back and for some reason it's re-opened.

Any other thoughts appreciated.

[Studentnurse1981]

Your supply won t have dropped . Your body has adjusted to your baby. A pump is not a true reflection of what your baby gets . Please don't worry xx

[elvislives2012]

Could it be a strike? Remember the more that comes out the more is made do continue pumping but nothing as successful as a feeding baby so offer it before anything else how do u feel re co sleeping? As u could sleep with her and just let her feed all night?

[SaltySeaBird]

I had the same with both DC at around 11 months. Having previously been pumping lots I couldn’t get any, nappies were drier and they were both drinking more water at meal times. I never had an end point in mind but it did end up being a natural end point for both. I tried skin to skin, extra pumping, drinking tons more water etc but it didn’t help. I was a bit sad and started them both on cows milk just before their birthdays.

[hairRaising]

Saltyseabird thanks for sharing, it's a relief to hear someone else describe the same thing, but I'm sorry feeding ended earlier than you wanted it to, it's such a lovely bond isn't it 🌷

[hairRaising]

Elvis thanks, I don't think it's a strike as she is wanting to feed but just frustrated at low or slow milk.

The co sleeping is a good idea but actually she has not fed at night for months, she goes all night without waking for milk

[Stuckforthefourthtime]

I've also never been able to pump by the end of the first year, but have carried on bfing as far as 2 years old with my 3 eldest
After returning to work my supply dropped a lot, but I kept the tradition of a feed before bed, and so I focussed on that, also we both enjoyed it so I think they were incentivied to power through
Agree about speaking to a bfc or la Leche League if your DD continues to fight and bite! Good luck

[hairRaising]

Just to clarify again I am not saying I think my baby takes the same amount from the breast that I pump. That's a red herring. I'm saying I have always pumped once daily at the same time of day and got at least 6 Oz, now suddenly it's taking ages just to get 2oz. In conjunction with the other reasons I mentioned (less wet nappies & frustration at breast) that's why I'm saying my supply has dropped. If anyone has experience of this and how to reverse it or the reasons for it I'd be grateful to know, thanks

[hairRaising]

Stuckforfourthtime thanks v much. Do you mean you just did one bedtime feed every 24h in the end? Did you still make milk for just that? Thanks again

[Stuckforthefourthtime]

@hairraising - yes, I did bed time feeds only with all 3 of my older ones after I went back to work around 12 months-ish and kept going for another 6 months to a year. One stopped by himself when I was pregnant, the other two I stopped around 2 years as was feeling a bit over it, they would have kept going! It might have helped that we never gave cow's milk as a drink, and made sure they got their calcium with yoghurt, cereal with milk etc - plus it was their special snuggly time before bed while I would feed them, read books to the older dcs, sing songs etc so was a special part of their day.