8mo and milk supply is dropping

[Mampig]

Hello everyone- hoping for some advice or reassurance please!
My ds is bf and weaning- both blw and spoonfeeds. I had to introduce the spoonfeed to help the cm and also cos I work full time, and when I was going back (2 mths ago) ds was bottle refusing.

In my first weeks back I managed to express twice daily and cm gave my bm with a cup.
Recently he has started to take a bottle but I've become so busy at work I've no time to express. It just takes too long. My job is stressful and it takes ages to relax enough to express anything worthwhile. I tried even once a day, but don't even have the time for that. I run clinics that are very tight for time, and take groups and also work between 2 sites, 20 miles apart. I've spoken to my team leader about this, but I know that the answer will be to try to fit it in as best I can. Believe me I would if I could.

Now, my supply is really dropping. I've been unable to do the daytime feeds at all this weekend, I know the pm will be ok. Ds had to take formula earlier, and to top it all, I've just got my first period, and I know it's cos of reduced bf. What can I do- if anything? Or should I just decide not to worry and just feed am and pm 7 days? Feeling a bit low about that....

Just wanted to say, I express at work once a day, but when I'm at home I feed DD 2 or 3 times during the day, so the supply must be relatively flexible.

It does sound like your employers need to be a bit more supportive to help you relax. Are they giving you extra breaks, or just telling you to fit it in around your work? Also if it takes too long maybe you could do with a better pump? I discovered recently if I took the softer silicone bit off my pump and just used the plastic cup on its own it really sped things up.

I think from what I've heard as long as you still BF am and pm you should still be able to increase your supply should you choose to longer term (hopefully someone more knowledgeable will come along and correct me if I'm wrong) but it sounds like you need more support from work in order to do that.

Hope you feel better about it - you're already doing a great thing if you bf twice a day :)

Much empathy Mampig, I work on a busy unit and often don't have time to express (ouch). As you obviously know, the problem is with your employers and negotiating that is tricky - you do have the law on your side though; www.xperthr.co.uk/faqs/topics/4,39/pregnancy-and-maternity-rights.aspx?articleid=105695&mode=open#105695

Do not despair of dwindling milk though - lactation works on a supply/demand system which means that although it reduces if you don't feed/express it will also increase if you start again. I have helped women start again ('re-lactate') after several weeks of not feeding, and there is literature that describes successful re-lactation after several years!

If you can express more at work then do, and using techniques such as breast massage and nipple stimulation (best done in private...) will increase the yield, making the most of when you do get to express (the more you pump off, the more you will make for later). Also when you are with your ds letting him suckle and play at your breast often, even if he doesn't get much sometimes, will really increase your supply and maintain your feeding relationship. Breastfeeding is amazingly flexible and reliable, and good luck with the labour relations.....

Thank you both. Got a lot of reassurance there. I know what I need to do, but will wait out of interest to see if our bf policy is worth the paper it's written on. Meantime I'll try really hard to express once at work- use my 1/2 hr lunch break, although even that is not enough time to eat and zone out to express. Thanks again