11 weeks postpartum, 2nd period already — supply dip after period? Baby refusing bottle 😩

[Twoheartsonemama]

Hi everyone,
I’m 11 weeks postpartum and exclusively breastfeeding and not supplementing . My period came back really early — first one at 7.5 weeks, and now I’ve just had my second one only 20 days later!

This time I’ve noticed something a bit odd: my breasts felt softer during my period (which I know can be normal), but from about day 5 of my period onward, my baby has been extra fussy at the breast, my let-down feels delayed, and I suspect my supply has dipped a bit. Everything I read online talks about supply dips before a period, but mine seems to happen after the bleeding stops. Has anyone else experienced this?

I’ve started taking calcium and magnesium supplements this cycle to see if that helps, but would love to hear if anyone has other tips or experiences to share — especially if your dip happens after your period rather than before.

On top of that, my little one is completely refusing bottles. We’ve tried different teats, someone else giving it, me being out of the room — nothing works! I’m really starting to lose my mind trying to get him to take even a few sips.

So, two things really:

1. Anyone else notice a post-period supply dip or hormonal breast changes while EBF?
2. Any magic tricks or tips for getting a breastfed baby to accept a bottle?

Feeling a bit frazzled and would love to hear from anyone who’s been through similar. ❤️

That sounds quite difficult op - well done for hanging in there! Have a look at ways to improve your supply using things like brewers yeast, oats etc. Are you expressing milk to feed in a bottle or using formula?

@7nationbaby - honestly cannot catch a break 😭 I think my supply dips are very temporary, so I add in a couple of pump sessions and they were back up last time .
but I will look into brewers yeast . I eat oats for breakfast.
I am using expressed milk to try the bottle . Have tried tommee tippee closer to nature
and he just bites the teat not really sucking it and after makes a gagging face

It might take trying a few different bottles to see if there’s a test style he prefers or can use, apologies you did say you were exclusively bf. I would recommend using a hakaa hand pump at the same time to try to raise supply a bit, and consider a magnesium/calcium supplement if your primary care provider agrees. And just freeze any excess milk so that you’ve got a ready supply if/when he decides to take the bottle!