I am breastfeeding and my milk supply has majorly decreased, please help!?

Question

I was pumping about 10 oz each time and i would be so miserable if i went anywhere bc i got so full so fast so i quit pumping so often to try to decrease the supply just a little but now im barely making enough to feed her how can i make more fast?

Answer 1

What makes you so sure you're making "barely enough to feed her"? Does she act fussy & hungry after she's done nursing?

If not, I'd say you don't have a problem. The amount you are able to pump has very little relation to the amount your baby is able to get by sucking.

Also, it's NORMAL not to feel "full" after the first few months (if you're not pumping excessively). That doesn't mean there's no milk. It just means you're making a comfortable amount and your breasts have adjusted.

If you were pumping 10 oz. a go before, you probably have tons of stored milk. So there's no need to make more "fast". Use up some of that back-supply (before it goes bad).

In all honesty, there's really no need to have more than a day or two of stored milk. If you're pumping daily, you'll replace what is used.

When my son was born, I panicked about stored milk, and wound up with much too much on hand, and a painfully over-abundant supply. When I stopped pumping, I stopped getting that "full" feeling, and stopped squirting like a fire-hose... but still made enough to feed him.

Bear in mind that if you're stressed about "making enough", you're going to have trouble letting down for the pump. Also, some women let down fine for a pump for months... then start having problems. This does not indicate you have a poor milk supply -- it just indicates your body knows the difference between a pump & a baby. The more you can relax, the better.

Answer 2

When I first had my baby I was pumping 12 ounces every 2 hours and that was on top of nursing her. Sometimes I would have to pump more then that. So you could imagine what my freezer looks like!!! I eventually got tired of pumping so much and did what you did. My milk supply slowed down so much I got worried. I found out just because I wasn't full didn't mean I wasn't supplying enough milk. Is your baby crying after you nurse her? Is she getting fustrated with your breast? If so, those are the signs. Don't listen to some of these people when they say maybe it's time to wean. Obviously that was not your question and you wean when you're good and ready. You can start pumping again. For a week out of the month, I usually pump after every feeding on the weekend and I'm able to store some milk in the freezer for emergencies. I know you know to drink plenty of water. You don't really need any special tea unless your childs pediatrician or a lactation consultant says it's okay to take. You have to be careful about what you put in your body. This is the best advice I can give you. Good luck to you. I hope everything works out.

~Proud mom of a 5 1/2 month old baby girl~

Answer 3

Your milk supply can decrease when you are having your period because of your changing hormones. It can also decrease when you become pregnant but then again it might not. Every woman is different. If your milk supply remains sufficient you can continue to breastfeed unless you have a history of miscarriage or begin to get contractions. Then you would have to stop. After you have a baby nursing causes the uterus to contract back to normal size. When you nurse your first baby while you are pregnant with the next one you may get contractions. If this happens your ob will want you to stop. Also your body is working hard making the new baby and burning lots of calories feeding your nursing baby. You will be very tired if you choose to continue to nurse. Don't forget to wean the first one at least a month before you are due so your body will make colostrum for the next baby. I nursed my first until she was 11 months old and she self weaned because my milk supply just kept dropping gradually after I got pregnant again when she was 5 months old. Also, your breasts can be tender while you are pregnant so nursing might be very uncomfortable. Some people are able to nurse straight through and continue to nurse both after the second birth. This is called tandem nursing and is controversial. Some people think it shortchanges the new baby. Best of Luck.

Answer 4

You don't say how old your child is. Is she ready to wean? My milk supply went up and down a few times during nursing. I kept some pumped milk in the freezer for just such occassions. You should make sure you're drinking enough water and try to stay as relaxed as possible. Nursing often can be affected by your mood and stress level. It should naturally come back up if you continue to pump and nurse regularly. Good luck.

Answer 5

Ok first drink lots and lots of water.... then take a nursing vacation. Spend a few days in bed with your baby and relax and nurse on demand. Offer both breasts at each feeding. Do not offer supplements. Consider starting to pump again in btwn feedings. Join a support group/contact your local/www.lalecheleague.org

Avoid these things that are known to reduce breastmilk supply:

Smoking - Avoid smoking and being around others who are smoking while you are nursing. Nicotine passes through breast milk and both nicotine and second hand smoke are harmful to you and your baby.

Caffeine - (found in coffee, cola drinks, tea) can cause irritability and increased bowel activity in baby and depletes Vitamin B-1, B-6, iron, and potassium in mother.

Birth control pills

Decongestants, antihistamines

Severe weight loss diets

Avoid these herbs that can decrease milk supply: Peppermint (Mentha piperita), Spearmint, Parsley (Petroselinum crispum), Chickweed, Black Walnut, stinging nettles (not nettle - that increases milk supply), Yarrow, Herb Robert (Geranium robertianum), Lemon Balm, Oregano, Periwinkle Herb (Vinca minor), Sorrel (Rumex acetosa).

Sage and jasmine tea, parsley, peppermint candies (Altoids, Starlight mints, etc),

Peppermint essential oil has been used traditionally for decreasing milk supply

Eating parsley will decrease breast milk production. Sage also decreases milk flow. Drinking fennel tea will increase milk flow.

Licorice (the herb)--it has steroid-like ingredients.
The herbs sage, black walnut, and yarrow decrease milk production.

Alcohol - Avoid heavy alcohol consumption. If you have an occasional drink, delay nursing for two hours per drink.

Some fish - You should avoid eating shark, swordfish and marlin and limit the amount of tuna you eat. Don’t eat more than one tuna steak a week (weighing about 140g cooked or 170g raw) or two medium-size cans of tuna a week (with a drained weight of about 140g per can). For canned tuna, this means about six rounds of tuna sandwiches or three tuna salads. This is because of the levels of mercury in these fish. Some of the mercury in the fish you eat will pass into your breast milk and high levels of mercury can harm a very young baby’s developing nervous system.

Answer 6

Begin to pump during every feeding on the opposite side she is nursing on at first it will seem hopeless but breast supply is based on demand and if you are demanding more you will porduce more, it just takes a little while to build it back up... It's a myth that your milk just dries up, I have known woman who have adopted and child and never been pregnant but wanted to experience brestfeeding and was able to just by letting the child suckle on the breast it has nothing to do with being dried up... don't get discouraged!!!!!

Answer 7

Start pumping or breastfeeding more often, despite what you feel your supply is at the moment. The sucking feeling will release the hormones to tell your body to start producing more and more until you're to the point where you want to be.

Answer 8

Lots and lots of water...
Why pumping? the best way to trigger milk production is to have the baby latching, it has been found that oxcitocin, one of the hormones that favors milk production is secreated when you smell your baby...

To aid in milk production, you may want to try alfalfa (the herb they feed the bunnies). Blend a bunch of alfalfa (previously washed) in water with pineapple or raw sugar for flavor. Drink at least two quarts of this mixture per day.

Dark beer also helps (jut one per day, mind you). It has to do with the yeast induced fermentation. Try Warsteiner, specially in the morning.

Best of luck

Answer 9

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Answer 10

dont pump just feed feed feed. his/her mouth will stimulate the glands to start producing more milk