i stopped producing breast milk?

Question

i gave birth to my baby on nov. 16 and started producing milk soon after his birth...like 2 days later...i was breast feeding and pumping b/c i was producing so much milk that he couldn't keep up with me. now all of a sudden im not making it anymore...i was pumping out about 6-8 oz. every 2-3 hours and now i pump about one 1 oz flat. what happened and i dont even have enough to nurse him? i went through some baby blues which im not entirely over and they were pretty bad...could that be it?

Answer 1

drink lots of water. your body needs lots of fluid to produce breast milk.

Answer 2

You might want to contact a La Leche League leader or certified lactation consultant.

Do be aware that sometimes the rush of milk in the first weeks can slow down once the baby settles into a regular nursing pattern. Also, the amount you pump isn't necessarily a good indicator of how much you are producing. I had plenty of milk for my daughter, but could never manage to pump out more than about an ounce.

Are you nursing your baby on cue? Nursing on cue, and for as long as the baby wants to is the best way to ensure a stable milk supply.

http://www.kellymom.com/bf/supply/index.html
http://www.llli.org/NB/NBmilksupplyissues.html

Answer 3

Your physique produces milk in reaction on your infant's consumption. in case you have stopped breastfeeding and pumping, it may take awhile so which you would be able to thoroughly provide up producing milk. be conscious ice packs or chilly cabbage leafs to help relieve soreness. Motrin will additionally help. there may well be circumstances once you will could desire to alleviate most of the tension on your breast by manually expressing your breast merely until the factor which you're feeling some relief.

Answer 4

Rest assured you have not lost your milk. Your baby and you have worked out a schedule and your body has adjusted to make exactly what he takes. If you need to increase your yeild at the pump I suggest trying to pump one side while your son feeds on the other. But remember, no pump is as effective as a baby so don't judge your supply by what you see in the bottle. Assuming your baby is exclusively breastfed (no supplements), you can judge his milk intake by his wet and poopy diapers. At his age, 6-8 wet diapers and 2-4 poops the size of a quarter are sufficient. Poops should be yellow and seedy.

Answer 5

It could be the baby blues, but I think it's probably that you need to actually breastfeed rather than pump. I know that when I pump rather than breastfeed the yield is much lower. Try pumping while looking at him to see if that helps stimulate you. Or pump on one breast while breastfeeding the other.
Blessings to you.

Answer 6

Congratulations on your new baby! It's normal for your milk supply to adjust to your baby's needs after a few weeks of breastfeeding. Many mothers have tons of milk at first and can pump enough milk for one or even two more babies. Pumping frequently can keep your supply artificially high, but since no pump is as effective as your baby, it's not uncommon for a mom's supply to adjust to her baby's true needs even with frequent pumping. If you're breastfeeding your baby AND pumping, 1 ounce is a normal amount to be able to pump. 6-8 ounces is a huge amount of milk, and actually is a sign of oversupply. Your baby and your body will be happier with you making the "right" amount of milk!

You mention that you don't have enough milk to nurse your baby. What signs are making you think your son isn't getting enough milk? Remember that he is much more effective than any pump at getting milk from your body, so the amount you can pump isn't a good indicator at all of milk supply. He should be nursing 10-12 times every 24 hours, with perhaps one longer sleep period of 4 hours or so. Your son should be having many wet and at least 3-4 poopy diapers every day. He should be gaining about 5-7 ounces per week. At 2 weeks old, it's very common for his nursing patterns to be inconsistent. It's also very common for a baby of about this age to go through frequency days, where he wants to nurse non-stop. As long as you breastfeed him on cue, don't skip feedings or give any supplemental formula, your body will make plenty of milk for your baby.

If you truly think your milk supply is insufficient, you'll want to consult with a La Leche League Leader or an IBCLC (board-certified lactation consultant). Some medical conditions (hemmorhage at birth or hypothyroidism, for example) and some medications (over-the-counter cold remedies, birth control pills for example) can affect milk supply. Scheduling feedings, supplementing with formula, or a baby who isn't able to nurse well can also lead to an inadequate milk supply. Some in-person support can help you figure out what's going on. Even if there's nothing wrong, it will be reassuring for you to talk to someone about your concerns and learn what to expect with a breastfeeding baby.

You also mention baby blues. Postpartum depression is a real medical condition and shouldn't be taken lightly. If you're still feeling sad and unable to cope, you'll want to talk to your doctor about treatment options. Non-drug treatment is often effective, and taking antidepressants is usually compatable with breastfeeding. Taking care of yourself is so important for your baby's development and well-being!

Answer 7

Also remember to keep yourself hydrated and eat good nourishing foods. When you sit down to nurse always have something for you to drink. I always drank iced tea. I also drank one beer a day, recommended to me by the midwife....the yeast in the beer will help produce milk. Remember, the more you nurse, the more milk you will have. Nurse your baby when he wants to nurse, not on a schedule. Enjoy this special time...and relax.....they grow up so fast.

Answer 8

i lost my milk from not eating enough but went for help and was able to bring it back, call the dr.