Milk supply has gone right down for no good reason - advice needed!

[BudapestMummy]

Over the last three days my milk supply has gone right down but my DD's nursing pattern has not changed at all. She is 11 weeks old and feeds about 7 times during the day (I feed on demand but she generally feeds about every 2.5-3 hours during the day and then goes from 11 til 5.30/6 ish at night). I have one breast that is a lot more milky than the other and the milk supply in that breast in particular has diminished significantly. Nothing at all has changed to prompt this drop. Has anyone else had this experience? Any advice? I am at a loss.

How do you know your supply has diminished? If the baby is feeding the same amount and seems satisfied, I'd say your supply is fine.
By the way, it is completely normal to stop feeling engorged, stop leaking or stop feeling that letdown "tingle" once your baby is a few months old, it is also normal to not really be able to pump: none of those things means there is anything wrong with your supply. It just settles down after a bit is all.

agree with rancerdoo - it's unlikely that your milk supply has suddenly dropped, more likely that your body has become more used to what it has to do and is more efficient perhaps - so less engorgement and less letdown tingle

Thanks for the replies. I know the supply has diminished because I'm getting fewer letdowns per feed (I used to have at least three or four). Presumably even if you don't feel the letdown "tingle" (which I do) you would still be able to tell you'd had a letdown by the change in sucking pattern? My DD's weight gain has also slowed down (from around 8 oz a week to around 3-4 oz) over the last couple of weeks so this drop is worrying me even more!

My hv says the weight gain slows arou d the three month mark

None of what you say sounds anything other than normal, Budapest,

I think if your milk supply had suddenly dropped your dd wouldn't be sleeping 7 hours at night.

Thanks for all your replies. I'll try to stop worrying!

Budapest, your breasts adjust to the supply/demand after a while; in my case, thankfully, this meant no more leaking and no more uncomfortable engorgement. I bet that in yours, it's this drop in letdowns. And yes, weight gain slows down after a while (just as well, really, if you extrapolate forwards from newborn weight gain!).

It sounds like you and she are on a brilliant schedule. I'm very envious, actually; 2.5 hours during the day and then a 6-7 hour sleep stint overnight is great at this age, means you're getting most of your feeding in during daytime hours and presumably a decent level of sleep.

Do try not to worry. I know if you are at all anxious breastfeeding can be tricky because you can't see what your baby is eating, but honestly a weekly weight gain of 3-4oz sounds standard for this age. They can't go on gaining half a pound a week or they'd be off the scale in no time! Sometimes you just have to trust nature: it is very clever!

Hi ? this happened to me (ut about the 4-5 month mark) with my first... But lo and behold, two weeks later my first post partum period arrived. Apparently not unheard of for it to trigger a short term drop in milk supply. So it may be that...

Same thing happens every month with DD2 who I am still Bfing at 13 months. She settles a little less well maybe, and eats a bit more for a week every month, but is chubby and happy.

Freaked me out the first time, knew it for what it was second time and just carried on regardless ? feeding more frequently for a week or so every month in the early months.

Not much talked about, it seems - La Leche league BF counsellor flagged it up for me first time round.

Don't let it destry your confidence in your BFing - that's the main thing. If you're still feeding regularly just trust that the supply wil be there. Eat well, drink plenty (esp. as the weather gets warmer) and try and relax about it. Your boobs know what they're doing.

And maybe get some tampax in the cupboard... just in case!

HTH

db
xx