Expressing supply is dwindling

[Purplelolly2000]

In need of some tips please.

I have been bf since birth and expressing since my LO was 3 weeks old (he's now 8 months). I bf my LO during the day then express once he's gone to bed to store the milk in the freezer. I have quite a good supply stored and use it if I need to go out but now his dad has left us (long story) I'm getting through it a lot quicker than I thought.

I used to get about 100ml per expressing session so I could make a whole feed in two days but recently my supply has seriously reduced. I'm only getting about 30ml per session so (as you can only store it in the fridge for 5 days) I can't produce enough to make up a whole feed.

Basically is there anyway of upping my production or should I just call it a day with the expressing and switch to formula once my store has run out?

It got harder for me too. Basically, my supply became much more supply and demand, and no engorgement meant expressing was really hard work. I ended up expressing twice a day just to get enough for DS to take to nursery.

I guess that you're doing breast compressions etc? Can you pump on one side as you feed from the other? (I rarely managed this- DS was too nosy). I found my expressing was best first thing in the morning. Rubbish in the evening.

You might need to end up supplementing with formula sometimes, but that shouldn't affect your supply, and you're getting closer to the point where you can also just use cows milk. Sounds like you're doing an incredible job.

Do check all the parts of your pump. I suddenly stopped being able to get much and it turned out the valve was frayed - swapped the valve and all ok again.

It could also be stress affecting your supply? Have you tried pumping at a different time of day - first thing in the morning maybe?

I presume though he is on a healthy amount of solids now, so perhaps your supply is reducing in line?

Thanks for your replies. I have checked my pump and it seems to be working ok. I've been taking Fenugreek supplements for the last week but it doesn't seem to have made a differeence and I always have a picture of LO on hand for when I'm expressing.
I think maybe you're right Quodlibet and it's probably just because he's older and is on three full meals now. I've decided I'm going to give it another week and see if the fenugreek makes a difference but then call it a day. He'll only need a bottle once a week when he's with his dad so my freezer stash should last a while!
Also, thanks for making me feel a bit better. Appreciate the confidence boost, x.

This is more or less everyone's experience of expressing for an older baby, in the circumstances you describe, lolly....it's biology, and it's hard to fight it :)

It's not worth bothering with oats and trying to relax and so on - worthwhile tips for a mother with a much younger baby, though.

The easiest answer is just to express more often if it's important for you to have a stash - you might need an extra couple of sessions each 24 hours. Or, just go with the flow, and give him cows milk if he is old enough when the stash runs out.