breastfeeding - can stress reduce your milk supply - my baby is 4.5 months old and I seem to have a less milk?

Question

I am finding that I have less milk when I go to feed my baby or express I get hardly anything out. My husband and I have been going through a very stressful time and I think that it has sadly affected my milk. Please can anyone tell me how and if I can get more milk supply back as I really dont want to give up and go on to bottles as my other two I managed to breastfeed until they were a year.

Please help

Thanks

Answer 1

Na, they say it does, but I don't believe, your baby is probably just growing and more hungry, introduce rice cereal or frutis and veggies

Answer 2

I'm currently breastfeeding my 6 week old daughter and I was worrying that she wasn't getting enough milk. My midwife suggested that I try expressing for a few minutes after each feed to try and increase milk supply. I also started feeding her more frequently which seems to have worked. The stimulation of the breast and nipple area is what tells the brain that you need more milk - something to do with the hormones. I know there is an age difference but I try and feed her in between every 2 - 3 hours and keep her on one breast for at least 20 minutes so I know she's getting the hind milk aswell as the watery for-milk. Also bear in mind that it is no crime to switch to formula if you're not having much luck with breastfeeding. To be frank, I don't find breastfeeding to be the wonderful and magical experience that a lot of medical professionals make it out to be. I know it's supposed to be best for the baby but I just don't really like it, plus formula can't be that bad for the baby or they wouldn't be allowed to sell it!!!! What I'm trying to say is don't feel like a failure just because you've had to switch to formula for whatever reason.

Answer 3

This is a difficult problem, but you might be successful at increasing your milk supply by having the baby nurse at least 5 minutes per breast--whether or not it seems to be producing a lot. Emptying the breast helps encourage milk production, it seems.

As for the stress, try to enlist your husband to join you on behalf of the baby which depends on both of you. If he can be helped to see it that way, he may be able to let go of unnecessary issues and work with you to help your growing family.

By the way, are you sure the baby isn't getting enough? My daughter was able to efficiently empty a full breast in a minute or less by the time she was three months old. Arms and legs swinging wildly, she'd yank at the nipple hard a few times, swallow nonstop, move on to the other breast, do the same thing, and be a happy camper for the next few hours . . .

Answer 4

I know how you feel. I have been very stressed myself! My daughter is 4 months old as well (Born Oct. 9) and I since I have gone back to work my milk supply has gone down a lot. I have been reading today and lots of different answers have come up about herbs, vitamins, teas, etc. But the most frequent answer that i have gotten is drink more water and pump more often. I would suggest the same. I have already had about 64 oz of water today and have been pumping about every 2-3 hours. No change yet but I might also try to get up once throw the night and see what tomorrow might bring. Good luck to you. I hoped my answered helped. Don't give up!

Answer 5

YES YES YES

Stress - can have devastating affects on your production

Exhaustion - Can also reak havoc.

Getting proper rest, trying to relax and proper nutrition are crucial for milk production.

Also if you want to boost production you can purchase "Mother's milk" tea (they are available at any healthfood store near you or online),

Brewers yeast has been known to help, and if you aren't opposed a half a beer once or twice a week will also boost your milk production.

Also, constant pumping or nursing will boost up production again.

There is no need to stop, adoptive mothers that were never pregnant use these methods to cultivate a milk supply from nothing...you can do it.

Religiously pump or nurse every two hours again just like in the beginning to help trigger your body's production reflex.

Worst case scenario if none of these methods work (although there's no reason they shouldn't) you can always see a doctor about medications out there that help stimulate milk production.

Good luck mamma!! You can do it!!

Answer 6

I lost mine in moving. Stress added to many long drives which baby slept through, interrupting regular schedule.....but you're asking about you, not me.

So, pump. Feed often. After a feeding, pump for another five or ten minutes to let your body know you want more milk. If baby sleeps through what would usually be a feeding, pump. If ever you feel engorged, pump. (Unused milk tells your body that you need less!) There are certain foods you can eat also that cause you to produce more milk- although I'm not sure what ones.

Answer 7

yeah that happens with us...our bodies are so sensitive that it affects everything. Drink lots of water and juices and eat healthy. Drinking liquids is the key to breastmilk. Ur baby could be just growing and it happens time to time that u feel that u have less milk but it is because your baby's feeding is changing. He is growing older and his apetite is as well growing. Your body will adjust to his hunger and therefore produce more milk with time. don't give up on ur breastfeeding. AS with the stress try to relax and have enough sleep...i know it sounds impossible but set a day once a week to get enough sleep. that will also help with your milk supply. eat your vitamins! trust me your milk supply will be enough itz just adjusting itself and will produce enough when the body signals it to according to your baby's hunger. it will take about 3 days to possibly a week maximum for it to be back to normal & hopefully u won't have to worry about any bottles and formula:) good luck!

Answer 8

Yes, I agree with those who say that it can. Sorry to hear about the stress... ((hugs))... One thing that can help the milk be released is to slightly massage your breasts and relax, just before nursing your baby. I would pump between feedings to also help increase the supply. Some people say that taking Fenugreek helps increase milk supply: http://www.breastfeedingonline.com/fenugreek.shtml

Good luck :)

Answer 9

I near enough lost my milk when I had a tummy bug and my mum took my daughter to hers with a stash of frozen milk. I did not bother to express cos I felt that ill. When it came to feeding again I felt their was nothing there but a breast feeding councillor (yes they are such things!) pointed me in the right direction and my milk came back. Maybe your supply has adapted to how much she wants when you feed. She will be going onto solids soonish so I would not worry about it too much.

Answer 10

Relaxation is the solution. Stress seems 2 step in the way of everything in our lives so it would be obvious 2 say that it would affect our body. Make sure u are really relaxed before u feed bubbie and that u r eating well too.