Breastfeeding and discouraged?

Question

I have been breastfeeding for almost 3 months now , and my supply is decreasing for no reason at all. I've done everything my consultant has advised me and its still tapering off. I drink plenty of water, exercise,eat right. I dont smoke or anything and I'm thinking about just giving up. I pump and only get about a half an oz. I'm very healthy and confused about this. (about 2 months ago I could pump and get almost 4 oz per side!!) please help the hungry baby.

Answer 1

Pumping is NOT a good indicator of supply. If the baby is latched on correctly, then he will always get more than even the very best breastpump.

What kind of pump are you using? Double pumping or single pumping? How often are you pumping? How often are you nursing? Do you feel yourself have a letdown for the pump?

All the things you mentioned that you are doing are great.....but if you aren't nursing or pumping frequently enough, they won't matter. Breastfeeding is about supply and demand. More frequent feeding/pumping is better for boosting supply than longer feedings/pumping sessions.

Have you checked the pump over to make sure that everything is conncected correctly? If it's a Medela Pump In Style, how are the little white rubber pieces that attach into your horn doing? Are they wearing thin? Do you feel good suction when you pump?

You said that 2 mos ago you could get more. Well, 2 mos ago you were only 4 weeks postpartum and your milk supply was still trying to regulate itself. You probably had TONS of EXTRA milk back then.

It is very common to have more milk than baby needs in the early weeks, which regulates down to baby's needs over the first few weeks or months. When your milk supply regulates (this change may occur either gradually or rather suddenly), it is normal for pumping output to decrease. For moms who have oversupply, this change often occurs later (6-9+ months postpartum rather than 6-12 weeks).

Are you pumping on a daily basis or just every now and then for an occasional bottle?

Most moms who are nursing full-time are able to pump around 1/2 to 2 ounces total (for both breasts) per pumping session. Moms who pump more milk per session may have an oversupply of milk, or may respond better than average to the pump, or may have been able to increase pump output with practice. Many moms think that they should be able to pump 4-8 ounces per pumping session, but even 4 ounces is an unusually large pumping output.

It is quite normal to need to pump 2-3 times to get enough milk for one feeding for baby (remember that the pump cannot get as much milk as a baby who nurses effectively).

Have you seen any signs of your cycles returning? Have you started any medications lately? (Birth control?) Any chance you are pregnant? All those hormonal shifts could have an effect on supply.

Is your baby gaining weight? Meeting milestones? Having wet and dirty diapers? Do you feel that he is getting enough or are you just concerned about the changes you've seen in pumping output?

When you are pumping, don't stare at the horns. Try to relax and think about something else. If you notice that the flow has slowed or stopped then you should reposition the horns slightly on your breast to see if you can get another letdown and empty different milk ducts.

Try taking a "nursing vacation" and spend a couple of days doing nothing but nursing and pumping to boost supply.

Talk to your LLL Leader and IBCLC for one on one help as well!

EDIT TO ADD:
Someone mentioned fennel. DO NOT TAKE FENNEL. It will DECREASE your supply, NOT increase it!
http://www.kellymom.com/herbal/milksupply/herbal-rem_f.html#fennel
FENUGREEK
http://www.kellymom.com/herbal/milksupply/fenugreek.html
can increase supply but be sure to read the cautions about who should NOT take fenugreek!

AND.....
While drinking in moderation is fine while breastfeeding, studies have shown that beer really doesn't do much to increase supply.

Alcohol does not increase milk production. In fact, babies nurse more frequently but take in less milk in the 3-4 hours after mom has had a drink, and one study showed a 23% decrease in milk volume with one drink (Mennella & Beauchamp 1991, 1993; Mennella 1997, 1999).

Answer 2

A few others covered it pretty good already. Don't give up! Your baby pumps that milk out much more efficiently than a pump (and it's even worse if it is a hand pump). and supplementing with formula at this point will decrease your supply even further. This is the age where the baby will go through a growth spurt and will eat, eat and eat. It will seem to you that he or she isn't getting enough but, believe me, it's there (you may be pumping less because the baby is taking more, also). Also, relax. You said you exercise and that can also effect the milk production negatively. Don't worry about those extra pregnancy pounds just yet the breastfeeding can help that along, too.
If you need support, e-mail me. Please!

Answer 3

pumping is pretty much worthless! Your milk will decrease slightly as your baby starts to nurse less because of age and needs. Is the baby not nursing enough. The more they nurse the more you produce, supply and demand basically.
If nothing else is working you can go to your local healthfood store and try supplements. There are several that help increase your milk supply. I believe Fennel Seed, but check with them at the store to be sure. If the baby just seems to be more hungry it may not be your supply either. Babies go through growth spurts where they will nurse a lot more. Or it could be a sign they are getting sick. I know mine would do that every time!
Good luck.

Answer 4

Dont give up. Try feeding with baby more often without the pump. The pumps are not always pumping as much as if the baby was nursing. I too went through a slow time but got through it and nursed for one year total. Hormones play a roll too so maybe call your DR to see what reasons this could happen. Leleche league can help too. Maybe your 3 month old is ready for rice cereal to supplement your feedings? All the best to you!

Answer 5

Do not give up! It is to important. I breast fed both of my children until the age of 10 months. Just to let you know how the pumps stink- I produced enough milk to leak all night like a waterfall, but could not get so much as a mouth full out of a pump. I tried at least 4 different types of pumps and they all failed me. Again i will suggest the LL-League they helped me through a clogged milk duct (very painful, i wanted to give up breast feeding) but they reminded me how important it is for the baby. Do not forget breast feeding can help you lose the weight! Also some women do not start the menstrual cycle again until they are done breast feeding.

Answer 6

Unfortunately some women just do not produce milk as good as others. I understand what your going through. I have 4 children & with all of them the longest I was able to breast feed before my milk dried up was 2 weeks. And like you I followed all the recommendations of eating good & drinking lots of fluids. The baby did get the colostrum in the first week that is most important. So, if you feel like giving up instead of continuing to stress yourself about it go ahead. Get a formula that has lipids in it. Your baby will still be healthy & happy. Good luck & congrats on the baby.

Answer 7

I agree with the others who encouraged you not to give up now! You are doing the right things. Sometimes the pumps just don't get what the baby can. Talk to your ob/gyn too. I noticed that no one mentioned sleeping on your tummy can decrease your milk suppy too. After a few weeks of frustration I figured this out with the help of my breastfeeding coach. Just a thought--good luck!

Answer 8

Sometimes it happens. Do not blame yourself, we women think we have done something wrong when we are unable to breastfeed as long as we would like to. Talk to your OBGYN or try the liga de la leche, they are a group of women dedicated to promote breastfeeding, they can provide you with some advice, but maybe there is an underlying cause you have not yet found out. The best stimulation is to put your baby to your breast. I stayed up nights to do it, and it worked for a while.

I cried my eyes out when this happened to me, you at least got three months, I got two weeks and that was it, no matter what I did. Finally my mom stepped in and said that these things happen and when you can't, you can't. Do not blame yourself, your baby needs you.

Answer 9

It could be decreasing because baby is eating less. Nurse more often, and don't worry about what comes out of the pump. As baby nurses more, your production will increase.

Please don't get discouraged and give up. It can be a bumpy road, but the benefits to your baby are tremendous.

Answer 10

baby may be getting more than what you are pumping... they stimulate milk supply way more than a pump will. don't give it up if it's not what you want. even some breast milk supplemented with formula is good. is baby giving off signs of being hungry or are you worried because of not being able to pump as much as before? i used to be able to pump 9oz each side after my newborn was done, but when i stopped pumping after she ate, it slowly tapered off to just the amount she needs.