Please help, supply failing & desperate

[HollyFP]

I posted recently about this but would appreciate extra responses, especially now that things are worse. I'm ebf my 9mo DD. My let down is taking absolutely ages. Tonight it took 15 minutes - 10 on one side before DD gave up and tried the other which still took 5 minutes. I am still in tears about this as I feel desperate each time, poor DD sucking away frantically for no reward.
I'm trying to think of what could be causing it but at the moment I'm too worked up to think clearly.
She is eating 3 good meals a day now but still wants about 4 bf a day, usually at nap & bed time.
Maybe this is a normal part of the weaning process? I want to continue bf her for as long as she wants.
I am tired at the moment but still this surely doesn't explain it?!
Please help, ta

oh you poor love

I'm sorry I don't know what could be the cause but wanted to give you sympathy. Are you taking any new medication? more caffeine or alcohol than normal? Do you know any local bf counsellors you could ask? Otherwise you could try one of the helplines

here

check out nct and la leche too

When you say your let down takes X mins is that because you usually feel you let down and you aren't now (or not until later into the feed) or is your DD not swallowing at all until X minutes?

Without being too personal (sorry) are you due on or ovulating when this happens? Could you be pregnant?

If your DD is suckling away is there any pauses or is there just non-stop suckling? If she was to pop off would there be any milk visible on the nipple or could you squeeze any out?

I've only had problems with let down around period or ovulation (mainly with DD1 & DD2 - I have no problems with it since DD3 was born) or when pregnant my let down slows drastically before I dry up for the 2nd trimester (not that it worried DD1/DD2 they dry-nursed throughout it without any problems).

I usually feel the let down and notice DD change her suckling type. There were pauses tonight but I put that down to her needing a rest from all that sucking!
I very much doubt I'm pregnant but could be ovulating - I will look into that further, ta for the suggestion.

I'm not taking any medication, I've had a little bit of alcohol recently as am on holiday (ie one glass of wine with dinner every other day). I've tried relaxing and picturing the let down happening but to no avail :(
Will try the support lines, thanks for those.

I found that imagining the milk flowing out (thinking water fall rather than drips) really helped. Why I don't know but it did work

I stopped feeling my let down about 6 or 7 mths plus I have never sprayed/leaked so perhaps that is the case too?

Hope the helplines were able to help you.