For breastfeeding Mom only?

Question

Is it natural to diminish the milk early?

I am breastfeeding for almost 3 and half month now.. It seems that I am not really producing enough milk..Does someone experience this before? How to produce a lot of milk again? I need your advice, I want to breastfeed my baby until 6 months at least...

I am a working mother by the way..

Answer 1

I know exactly how you feel, I went through this too, but there are a couple of questions first.

1. Do you think you aren't producing enough milk because you aren't pumping enough?

2. Does your baby seem full when it stops eating?

If you're basing this off of not getting enough from pumping (please tell me that you are pumping while being at work, otherwise that could be the culprit) it could just be that your body isn't responding as well to pumping as it used to. Some women just can't pump (I know, that really doesn't help, but it's true) and some seem to have a diminished pumping supply over time. If your baby seems happy and full after eating, you're producing enough milk. If you just don't have enough to drop off at daycare (or wherever your child is when you're working) you can get some formula. This is something that I had to accept with my son (now 6 months old, breastfeeding goal of a year). He was eating around 20 oz a day at daycare, but I was only pumping 12-14oz. He's eating solids now, but he does have around 4oz of formula every now and then.

To help bring production back up, take a "nursing vacation" (which is anything but a vacation). Basically, take a weekend and nurse and pump as much as you can...preferrably nursing as much as you can, but if you do pumping too, then you can freeze that breastmilk for daycare. This should help increase your milk supply. If you are on the mini pill, it has a very low rate of decreasing milk supply because it is made specifically for breastfeeding women. Yes it does do it for some women, but that's not common. You could also try contacting a lactatoin consultant and see if they have any ideas. Contact your hospital and see if they have any that you could talk to. Increasing your fluid intake (i.e. water) should help too. Cut back on caffienated drinks (pops, coffee, etc) as those can dehydrate you and drink at least 64oz of water a day. I did this and my supply did actually increase. And, if all else fails, I have heard of women using fenugreek, it's an herb that has been used for thousands of years to help breastfeeding women. You can google fenugreek and get a lot of info on it--side effect, you know you're having enough of it when your sweat starts to smell like maple syrup and your baby may start to smell that way too.

Hope this helps!

Answer 2

Your milk will start to diminish when the baby is given formula or solid food. Also, since you're working, the pumping may not be stiumulting your milk supply enough.

Try putting the baby to your breast as much as possible when you're around. If you don't have an electric pump, get one. Pump as often as you can to try and stimulate the milk flow. When you start giving the baby solid food, nurse her first & then give her the solid food.

I don't believe your milk would lower itself naturally. The only other thing it could be is the pill-- They have a "mini" pill for nursing mothers. I know my step sister had problems with her milk supply disappearing when she was on the mini pill. Talk to your Dr about it.

I nursed my son until he was 6 months old. I started him on solids around 5 months and my milk supply went way down. I wanted to continue doing it (even 1-3 times a day), but he started refusing me. Sometimes babies just want to wean off earlier than we'd like!

Good luck!

Answer 3

Your body produces what is demanded of it; there are ways to increase your milk supply but you must be diligent about it. First, drink plenty of water. If you think you can't possibly drink more, have another glass. There are over-the-counter herbal supplements such as fenugreek that you can get at any drugstore that will increase your supply as well. Put yourself on a schedule - even if your baby doesn't want to eat every two hours, pump every two hours anyway. Pumping in the shower or bath will also increase letdown. Finally, a bowl of oatmeal every morning will also increase your supply. Good luck and keep on feeding!

Answer 4

I know oatmeal will increase milk production. Also try to nurse more when you are home. Sometimes pumping just doesn't work and has no reflection on milk supply. I breastfed my son until he was 2 1/2 and couldn't pump to save my life. Also, if things don't improve, you try asking a lactation consultant. Most hospitals have one on staff. A good yahoo group for nursing mothers is breastfeeding. The email to join is: [e-mail]

Answer 5

You can try feeding your baby more often. Your body produces only enough milk to feed your baby from the pattern that the baby eats. If you hit the 2 week growth spurt with your child you will produce more milk. Try feeding more for less time that way your milk supply will produce faster for you. Hope this helps.

Answer 6

If you are having producing milk your breast glands can always produce milk even if you haven't had a child ever. You can buy a breast milk machine to get the glands working better and you should call the hospital where you had the child and talk to a midwife to get your question answered quickly. They can give you advice at a hospital at anytime of the day or night.

Answer 7

I had a an identical hindrance with my first son (now two years ancient). I used to be a SAHM for the primary eight months of his lifestyles, then after that I labored night time shifts, so I used to be nonetheless there for him for the duration of the day (worn out as would be, however nonetheless there.) He used to be breastfed from day one. He would not take a bottle. I attempted each and every form you would suppose. I pumped and positioned breastmilk within the bottle. I attempted system. Nope, he desired it instantly from the supply. I used to be his global. Which used to be first-class. He is a momma's boy however does not want mommy as a lot now as he did. When I discovered I used to be pregnant with youngster two, I used to be worried approximately giving this youngster the identical head begin in lifestyles so far as breastfeeding is going. I recognize I ordinarily wont make it to that 12 months mark with my second son (two.five weeks) however he has the identical begin in lifestyles as my first. Breast is nice, even though it's for a short while. My youngest prefers to drink from my breast, however he'll take a bottle if Daddy presents it to him. He hasn't had any nipple confusion. I have began to pump further milk to freeze in training for while I go back to paintings. (Employers need to enable for time for females to pump) Don't fear an excessive amount of approximately it. Try to breastfeed for those who think that's the proper factor to do. Introduce the bottle every week or so upon getting based correct latching in hopes that youngster will take to it. I hold a can of unopened system simply in case he demands it. If matters do not figure out do not think unhealthy that you just have got to deliver youngster system. Good success!

Answer 8

yes thats true,the more you nurse the more milk you produce,and it really helps to drink ice tea,yes,(ice tea)believe me i had so much milk i didnt know what to do with it,and my little one was a piggy,lol,and since your a working mom,if possible,take a breast pump with you to work and pump as much and as often as you can,it will help.electric pump worked the best for me,just dont hold it on the nipple for long intervals,a few seconds at a time until you get it started..good luck

Answer 9

I have heard that if you drink more water it can help with milk production.

Answer 10

Hop in the shower and let warm water run on your breast .

Drink lots of water.