Dip in milk supply before period, help!

[supplysadness]

Hi all. My baby is 3 months old and has been EBF since the beginning. There have been no issues with weight gain, tongue ties etc.

My period came back recently and I'm due on again in a few days. I think that my supply has dipped quite a lot because my breasts are a lot softer and I'm not having that "full" feeling except for over night when baby feeds usually twice.

I've been pumping straight after a feed for the last couple of days to make sure my breasts are being emptied and to try and boost supply but I've not seen much change.

I'm really worried that our BF journey is ending! Does anyone have any experience of this (or tips!) and does it get better?!

When i was BF my second and my periods returned i would have a dip the week before, it would then rectify it's self.

@Wanderinghome did you do anything during the dip or just feed responsively? Glad to hear it rectified itself for you!

Having this now! First pp period/bleed. I'm on the mini pill which has already affected supply. Got that back up and this week I start a bleed.

Baby is also super fussy and latching and unlatching.

I've added in 2 extra pump sessions and power pumping when I can find the time. Any other suggestions please?

I am combo feeding as well but doing more formula than usual to supplement because baby is still tiny on the second centile

It's possible that this is hormonal, but also, your breasts do start to feel less crazy full around about this age. It's just your body adapting to breastfeeding. They're not supposed to get really engorged if you're feeding regularly.
You need to look to your baby to find out if there's a problem. Are they still gaining weight? What about urine output?

I always had a slight dip in supply before my period and I fed each baby for years. I just fed through it and it was fine. Just fed more frequently and the DC were a bit fussier at those times but they were hydrated and able to settle, just took longer to produce a full feed ime.

Your breasts do also settle down. Plus, they're never empty. Think of it as a river rather than a pond. As long as you feed, they produce.

I always had this. Just ignored it and carried on. Breastfed for nearly 3 years.

I just carried on as normal and i think when my period came or within a day of coming on the milk was back to normal. It happened each month but didn't cause me to wean.

It’s unlikely to be a dip in supply.

When your supply establishes many women find they don’t get ‘full’ feelings as often. Breasts feel softer and less football like.

what you express isn’t an indication of supply. Breasts are like rivers rather than lakes and never really ‘empty’.

My periods returned at 6 weeks with my eldest. On day 1 he would be a bit fussier at the breast but that was ok. I wondered if the hormone change made it taste different or something. Never seemed to bother my youngest (period returned at 10 weeks that time)