Dairy free diet - can it effect my milk supply?

[whensmydayoff]

I have been on a dairy free diet for 2 weeks now.

My DD (15 weeks) has reflux but even with high doses of medication wasn't improving as she should. Tried this diet and she is a completely different baby.

Problem is, she has always been a big feeder and I had enough supply to feed 8 babies with the way she feeds but the last 5 days something strange has happened.

My breasts seem emptier and she is so frustrated trying to get milk. She is hurting me now with her determination. My nipples are raw!

The feeds are over an hour at a time and she just isn't satisfied.

I pull her off to check and usually the milk would shoot across the room but it's hardly seeping out?? .

Any ideas?

This is normal, though - well-established bf is regulated downwards to match the needs of the baby, and there is far less over-production. In addition the fat that usually gives the breasts their shape is replaced with milk-making and storing tissue, with the result that breasts feel 'emptier'. Leaking is less, shooting out of milk is less.

Sometimes, babies do go through a temp. stage where they need to feed for longer to order up more milk - maybe she is doing this at the moment. It does not mean your milk is inadequate and milk in your own diet is not needed to make milk (cows don't drink milk!).

Hang on in there. Things will work themselves out ok

I would second Tiktok's advise but also just wondered if when you say you no longer have diary in your diet if that means you've stopped drinking milk, if you have reduced your amount of fluids that would have an affect on your milk supply. Your baby may also have a growth spurth. Just make sure you drink enough fluids yourself and your body should take care of the rest!

Are you replacing the dairy with lots of soya? If so, you might want to reduce this. I never found any published evidence for it, but when I went dairy free at first I was eating loads of soya and my supply seemed to go down. I then started to replace e.g.soya milk with calcium fortified oat milk and it improved again (and I think oats are good for supply anyway).

I love MN!

Tiktok _ ah it's all coming back to me now! This happened to my breasts with DS. There was no issues with feeding thoughas he wasn't a hungry baby. Does explain and reassure though.

Suppeline - you have hit the nail on the head too. I lived on cups of tea and now I forget to drink water and find myself a bit thirsty now - will drink more

Unseen - she reacted even worse to Soya. I drink fortified rice milk - yuck. Will try the oat stuff

Thank you everyone. x