Not pregnant - so why low supply?!?!

[Tam-I-Am]

Okay, just foudn out the old fashioned way that I'm not pregnant (I could have sworn I was, but anyway......)

So I had been putting my recently mcuh-depleted supply down to this - so why is it low if I'm not pregnant?

I've been putting DD to the breast as much as she is willing over the past 4 - 5 days (at least 4 - 6 times per day, instead of her usual 2-3 times), but I still feel like its going down hill. I wasn't worried before, because I know its common in early pregnancy, and usually rights itself - but NOW - What gives?!?!

I'm confused. I've started taking Fenugreek again today (3000mg per day) and I've been drinking lots of water, DD is still putting on weight and is a good solids eater - what else can I do? Is this just a natural progression - am I destined to lose my milk supply?

DD is 11 months old in 2 days, BTW.

[borntobemummy]

Are you sure it's low supply? After a while, the BBs don't get that full feeling but the milk is still their. My CHN said that it even is made at the time the baby sucks to suit the sucking. Also babies become more efficient at draining the breast quicker. Hope that helps :yes:

[JnA]

Hi

I have found that my supply fluctuates. While there is always enough for Jade, sometimes it's more than enough and other times I am quite empty.
I have no idea why, stress, hormones, changes to the supply nutrients maybe? I figure as long as they are getting enough, I am producing enough IYKWIM.

I hope it comes back to you. How long were you planning pn BFing for? I am going until a year old. I have a feeling that having this in my head will help my supply to dwindle when the year comes up.

[Tam-I-Am]

Yes I am sure because she's fussing and carrying on on the breast as though its too much work to get anything, and acting as though she's starving afterwards. Its also when I express, I'm getting significantly less that I did about 3 weeks ago.

So I'm sure its low supply.

[Tam-I-Am]

How long were you planning pn BFing for?

I hadn't really decided - I was just sort of going to keep going until she wanted to stop - but I was hoping that that would be over 12 months.

She's an independent little soul, so I don't think she'll go for 2 years.

[tanni_83]

Yes I am sure because she's fussing and carrying on on the breast as though its too much work to get anything, and acting as though she's starving afterwards. Its also when I express, I'm getting significantly less that I did about 3 weeks ago.

So I'm sure its low supply.


just a bit of info, the amount you can express has nothing to do with your supply. when elise was about 6ths i tried expressing but no luck, then when i put elise on for a feed she'd be gulping to keep up with the flow ...

[Tam-I-Am]

just a bit of info, the amount you can express has nothing to do with your supply. when elise was about 6ths i tried expressing but no luck, then when i put elise on for a feed she'd be gulping to keep up with the flow ...

Yes, I am actually aware of that, but when the amount that i have been able to express has had a sudden decline, along with the other things that i talked about - ie DD not being satisfied with feeds when she would have been 3 weeks ago, fussing at the breast etc - it leads me to the conclusion that my supply has depleted. If I hadn't been able to express much all along I wouldn't be worried, but its suddenly declined as of 2 weeks ago.

[misskittyfantastico]

Ohhh Goooooosie! we need a sigal like batman has.....cept maybe it could be a goose(?!)

You've only just started the fenugreek tabs...so hopefully they'll give you a boost.

[Tam-I-Am]

Ohhh Goooooosie! we need a sigal like batman has.....cept maybe it could be a goose(?!)

You've only just started the fenugreek tabs...so hopefully they'll give you a boost.

Yes, a gooselady signal would be great!

And I'm hoping that the fenugreek gives me a boost too - it did last time. I just can't figure out why it is that my supply has dwindled so mcuh if I"m not pregnant!

[Goosie22]

Hi,

All you can do is feed feed feed, if your worried. I wouldnt be:hugs: you will be fine, your letdowns get really effecient towards the 12month mark so much that you hardly feel them, rest assured they are still there (remember your baby is much more effecient at stimulating a letdown than you or a pump so will get more).

Self weaning is unusual at this age unless you encourage. If you arent giving any bottles for fluids like water ect and put all that in a cup then if the demand to go to the breast decreases then all you can do is try to encourage more skin to skin ect.

Has your baby increased the intake of other foods either drinks or solids? Do you give bottles? Have you started any medications lately?

The feenugreek will take a couple of days to kick in and you may not notice the difference. If you need to express for work then Motilium would give you a big increase and most probably give you the srimulation you need to be able to express larger ammounts.

Hope this helps
(sorry I wasnt here earlier, Rugby season:smiliedance: my sons team won against sunnybank)

[Tam-I-Am]

Hi Goosie, thanks so much for your advice (again!)

Congratulations to you son! (and you of course!)

Okay, I do give bottles of EBM while I work 2.5 days a week - I express everyday, twice a day as well as 3 breastfeeds (until 4 days ago when I started feeding DD at those times instead of expressing). While I'm at work, I don't really get to express as much as I'd like to, only once during the day, but until 2 weeks ago, that's all that Claire would feed during the day too - so essentially I'm missing out by 1 expressing session if I'm at work. I don't think she's increased the amount of solid food she's taking, although in the past month or so she's been taking water in a cup which she wouldn't do before, but if she drinks 50 - 100 mls a day, it would be a miracle!

I haven't started any medications lately - in fact, 2 weeks ago I came off my antidepressants (:smiliedance: !!!), I have changed my multi-vitamin to a pregnancy/breastfeeding one, because I thought I was pregnant -I'm not!

The only thing that I can think of is that I got AF today - I know that it can change the taste, but can it cause a depleted supply?

I will go ask the doctor about motilium next week - I presume you need a prescription?

Again, thanks for your help!

[Goosie22]

Yes you do need a prescription. Clinical Guidlines (http://www.rwh.org.au/rwhcpg/maternity.cfm?doc_id=9092) you can print this off to show your GP (incase of confusion:rolleyes: )


The other thing is that she may be starting to prefere having her EBM in a bottle, that might explain the fussing while at the breast. As a Breastfeed does take a little more effort. Perserverance is the key with this (sometimes it makes no difference and EBM in a bottle is better than no EBM at all).

[Tam-I-Am]

Thanks Goosie,

Nipple/breast/bottle confusion isn't something I'd considered - I'll have to see how she goes, maybe get MIL to offer EBM in a cup, instead of in a bottle, for the days I'm at work?

have printed out the clincal guidlines from the RWHB for Motilium - will go the GP next week to get a script.

Otherwise, all going well, I'll keep offering the breast as often as DD will take it and hopefully that will boost my supply,

Thanks all for support and advice, especially Goosie!