Where has my milk supply gone - 10 months in

[WarrenGRegulate]

Can any experienced breast feeders please help me.

I am 10 months in to BF, lots of issues initially but managed to get into a routine early on using a nipple shield and giving a bottle of formula at bedtime (pumping to mimic this feed). I introduced a second bottle of formula at 6 months and continued to BF around this, so first thing in the morning, and though the morning and afternoon as required - this has since settled to about 3 BFs a day, with 2 bottles of formula and continuing to pump at night (anywhere between 20-50 minutes depending on how tired I am).
The last week I have noticed my milk seems seriously depleted and I am lucky to be getting an ounce off at night now! 😔
Is it too late to turn this around?!

I have started taking fenugreek (I can only stomach one a day as they make me feel vile), and I eat oats every single day!

I have upped the pumping this weekend (currently doing an hours pump), and will aim to do a proper ‘power pump’ tomorrow.

I probably have been feeling very stressed for some time, but other than that all is well.

Sorry for such a long post (I was trying to keep it to the point), and thank you if you have read this far and have any advice 🙏🏼

😞 anyone?

I wouldn't sit and pump for an hour straight, power pumping would be better as that stimulates multiple let downs. You should be able to up your supply if you maybe do an extra session for a few evenings. Just like with breastfeeding if baby is having a growth spurt they feed/go to the breast more and your body catches up within a few days!

Have you been ill/under the weather/ started any new medication recently as that can sometimes affect supply. Also the more you stress about the amount you get, the more it will affect things. Easier said than done though! Do you cover up the collection bottles whilst you're expressing?

I've read that fenugreek can actually decrease milk supply in some women. Have a look on google.

@jellyfish64 ohh thank you, I’ll Google that!

@BigSidLittleSid thank you! I thought a power pump was an hour straight pump?! Should I be doing lots of shorter ones instead?

Fenugreek, mint and some herbal supplement I can't bring to mind all can decrease milk supply.

(Fenugreek/ fennel can also boost supply which is a bit confusing)

Google lactation cookies - you make them with brewers yeast and they're amazing for boosting supply - I used to have a great recipe saved but the blog doesn't exist anymore)

Milk thistle is the other one that can decrease supply

Thank you @suzyscat i will have a look and make some!

Power pumping is doing 10mins one side, 10 mins the other, resting for 10 then repeating (or similar). The idea is to trigger multiple let downs 🙂 you can also try things like breast compressions whilst expressing, having a hot shower and massaging breasts beforehand too.

@BigSidLittleSid thank you, thank you, thank you!

Good luck! You can buy brewers yeast in Holland and Barrett.