Question for experienced nursing mothers?

Question

I am currently nursing my soon to be 7mo. old son I know that we produce milk on demand, however my supply has gone down sufficently he is eating solids now and is gaining weight just fine.

My dilema is I'm scared my supply will go down so much that I wont be able to continue for the year as I have planned. I know some women go much longer than that. I have tried the teas and I suppose it helped a bit but I haven't been able to find it again. Any other ideas to help the supply come back up.

Is this a normal thing for the supply to be so low at this stage. I'm pumping maybe 14-16oz a day and then he does nurse while were home. I read somewhere they should be drinking 24-30oz a day. I don't think he's getting that much milk a day??

Any insight would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks!

I mis-typed earlier I actually pump about 8-14oz a day

Answer 1

Well you'd be surprised...

You're actually pumping a pretty good amount.

I work full time and pump about 16 to 20 ounces a day and nurse the rest of the time and my son is a little pork chop (he's also 7 months) so I'm sure he's getting enough...lol

What I have found that helps with Milk Production is ...

http://www.motherlove.com - More Milk Plus

http://www.lassens.com/shop/product_view.asp?id=24914&StoreID=V92HGBD7X6SR2LR60G03N0ET9MR4BDF3&private_product=0 - Fenugreek Pills

http://www.lassens.com/shop/product_view.asp?id=10344&StoreID=V92HGBD7X6SR2LR60G03N0ET9MR4BDF3&private_product=0 - Mother's Milk Tea

All available online...

I make sure to pump EVERY three hours, and I take my supplements any time my supply seems to be slacking off...and things have been working out wonderfully.

The More Milk Plus really did save us though...Give it a try...it's excellent.

We also enforce a "no bottle" policy at home...so he only gets bottles at daycare and when we're together, he only gets me! :)

Also remember that baby can get milk out of you SOOO much more efficiently than the pump can...I'm sure he's collecting more than you are.

Good Luck!

***What kind of pump are you using?

Answer 2

As he nurses more, your supply will increase.

The best way to start producing more is to cut back a little on his solids and offer the breast as much as possible.

You pump 14-16 oz while at work, and he nurses when you are home?

He is probably getting enough. You would be amazed at how effcient they become and how much milk they can remove in a single sitting.

My son went through a "dry spell" around 13 months. He didn't ask to nurse very often, and I could definatly tell that i was producing less. Around 14 months, he upped his demand and within about a day, i was producing alot more.

Once you have established a good supply (which you have) it will adjust quite frequently to your babes demands.

If you want to increase how much youre producing, nurse more. Take a weekend and nurse as much as he will let you. Your supply will increase dramatically... although, it may go back down when you are pumping, as a pump isnt as effective as a baby.

Answer 3

I nursed my son for 11 months then returned to work (and went back on the pill). During the 1 month transition period, I nursed my son twice daily (morning and bedtime) and then down to bedtime only, then completely weaned to formula.

I used to be able to pump only 8oz a day after my son started solids. It was hard to tell how much supply I had, but my son was gaining weight and was generally a happy chubby baby, so I wasn't too worried.

As long as your son is healthy and gaining weight you're probably doing just fine!

Answer 4

It is very natural for your supply to diminish a little with the introduction of solid foods. Your baby will always get more through his own suction than you will get out of a pump. Try to stay clam, if you start to get anxious about your supply it will dwindle even more.
Studies have shown that women that were put under stress greatly lowered and even lost their milk supplies..Don't worry I am sure your baby is getting plenty to eat and you should be able to nurse as long as you want.

Answer 5

I too was worried when my milk supply seemed to go down when I started solids but in reality he was getting all he needed. My son has always been small, as long as he is not complaining he should be fine. I also have seen babies wean themselves, nursing isn't as exciting as it used to be. All you can really do is nurse him when he wants it and feed him his solids. If he is gaining weight then you should have no worries. As far as how much milk your baby should be eating ask your doctor. I have never really measured how much my son eats. He usually stops when he's full. Good luck and don't stress too much

Answer 6

It depends on a lot of things if you are really pushing solids there is a chance that you can inadvertently force your baby to wean.

It also depends on how many times he nurses when he is at home. Remember babies get much more out of the breast than a pump can. When you are home ALWAYS offer breastmilk before solids, and it wouldn't hurt to offer it again after as well.

As for "how much" he should be getting:

"What if baby is eating solid foods?

Sometime between six months and a year (as solids are introduced and slowly increased) baby's milk intake may begin to decrease, but breastmilk should provide the majority of baby's nutrition through the first year. Because of the great variability in the amount of solids that babies take during the second six months, the amount of milk will vary, too. One study found average breastmilk intake to be 30 oz per day (875 ml/day; 93% of total intake) at 7 months and 19 oz (550 ml/day; 50% of total energy intake) at 11-16 months.

Several studies have measured breastmilk intake for babies between 12 and 24 months and found typical amounts to be 14-19 oz per day (400-550 mL per day). Studies looking at breastmilk intake between 24 and 36 months have found typical amounts to be 10-12 oz per day (300-360 mL per day)."
http://www.kellymom.com/bf/pumping/milkcalc.html

Even though it says that a baby is getting half their caloric intake from breastmilk at 7 months, that is too little breastmilk. The goal is generally only 25% solids at one year -but that is for extended breastfeeding. I guess if you are trying to wean at a year that might be ok.

Answer 7

if you're pumping during the day then that might be the problem. many working moms have issues with milk-supply, bc the pump isn't as efficient as the natural suck-reflex of an infant. make sure you're emptying your breasts when you pump, and after he nurses, try to pump out anything that might be left in there. if that doesn't work, call the lactation nurse where you delivered.

Answer 8

I think what's going on here is that you are stressed and creating symptoms in your mind. Getting periods and negative tests are very good indications that you are NOT pregnant. PMS can cause many of the exact same "symptoms" as pregnancy including bloating, irritability, back pain, nausea, headaches, sore nipples. I think what you need to do is take the pill that was prescribed to you (unless you want to get pregnant or you are going to use another form of birth control), get some counseling for the anxiety and learn some coping skills and start getting some daily exercise outdoors.

Answer 9

i nursed my first daughter for a year and a half and my second for only 8 months....with me second she starting biting more that she was sucking...and loved biting too.... however i belive the casue was i traveled a few times and left and even though i pumped wheni was away i didn't pump alot ....only a half hour session each day for almost two weeks ....so milk got low and she wasn't getting enough when she tried and so the less she sucked the less it got...

i recommend you continue breastfeeding her and don't worry and don't get disheartened.... the more you do it.... the more she gets.... and if she stops it isn't the end of the world....it is only a few months off your plan

best of luck

Answer 10

Keep up your fluid intake and try Fenugreek capsules. They worked wonders for me. They were recommended by a nurse. As long as you are pumping regularly and he is still nursing you should be okay. But if you are concerned try the capsules.
Good Luck and congrats on breastfeeding!