Breastfeeding Extra Milk Supply Diminishing

I have had the same problem. I breastfed my first to twelve months and struggled every day with pumping production. Finally at about 11 months, I supplemented whatever I couldn't pump that day with whole milk - mixing it with my breast milk for the daycare bottles. With my 81/2 month old, I am already not keeping up wtih his demands so I supplement the bottles with formula when I have to. I found that letting go of the stress of keeping up and just accepting that I will have to use some formula made me feel so much better. I used to cry with my first and the stress of pumping all that milk. Now I just do what I can and hope its enough.

Good luck - you are almost there!

My milk supply diminished at about that time and by 10 1/2 months I was hardly nursing at all. I began to mix breastmilk and cow's milk until l ran out of both the freezer supply and my own. We were given formula at one point so he got that during the day mixed with milk for about 2 weeks and then it was straight cow's milk. He hasn't had a problem with constipation but I also make sure he's drinking water and sometimes apple juice. We started cow's milk early and it wasn't a problem.

Hello J.,
I hear you! I work 12 hour shifts too. I had the same problem when I went back to work. It reduced my milk supply significantly! There was a day when I didn't get to pump at all. My supply went to pumping 1 oz. OUCH! I then tried to pump several times a day to try to make more but it didn't work. I then decided to stop. I was really sad but truth is, when we go back to work, your supply reduces. The important thing is your baby girl is 9 months and the most important is the first 6 months. So don't feel bad. Your a good mama! As far as the solids, make sure to give your baby plenty of water, it is a natural laxative! Good Luck!

The boobie respond best to babies. No matter how great the pump. The great thing is, your milk can ramp up or down in days based on supply and demand. And remember that wet-nurses of yesteryear were allowed to nurse up to SEVEN babies at once (so our bodies, as females, are quite amazing).

Ideally, your husband would bring you your child to work to breastfeed her at least once during your workday, then pump the other times. You also are going to need to pump every 2 to 3 hours, rather than every 4 (and whatever you do, don't miss a pumping session).

Here is what I would do:
Nurse her through the night and before you go to work (say your workday starts at 6 am).

Get to work, pump at 9, feed the baby at the breast at 12, pump again at 3 and then as soon as you get home at 6 / 6:30

You can also restock your frozen supply by pumping one side while she nurses on the other. In fact, to quickly ramp up your supply, I suggest starting to do this now.

Drink plenty of water and eat well (moms in our Cape Cod Breastfeeding Moms club like those Luna Bars). And, actually, while you try to restock your supply, can you get some milk from another mom? If you really need some, our moms in our group will absolutely get some to you (we are on FACEBOOK - Cape Cod Breastfeeding Moms).

You can also take a Fenugreek supplement which is a galactagouge (increases milk supply). If you like tea, you can get it that way as well, though I prefer the pill.

Lastly, do NOT go with formula. Their are some dangerous chemicals in infant formula and we are just now starting to hear about them in the news:

http://www.cnn.com/2007/HEALTH/12/04/bpa.formula/

http://abcnews.go.com/Health/story?id=7242880&page=1

http://www.teachspace.org/personal/research/nestle/histor...

http://www.consumeraffairs.com/news04/2008/12/chinese_for...

http://www.nutraingredients.com/Research/Infant-formula-l...

And, if you really like to read, this study by the American Academy of Pediatrics basically concludes after a massive study, that formula fed babies are 27% MORE LIKELY TO DIE than breastfed babies.

None of the links above are hype or crazy, hard-core breastfeeding advocates. Just simple, un-contested FACT (and they are scary).

We can get you breastmilk from our moms and we can help you succeed. Feel free to find us on FACEBOOK or at http://www.mymammasmilk.com

Peace-Love-Boobies!

Very cool documentary coming out soon as well: http://www.formulafedamerica.com/

I was fortunate enough to nurse my son to 12 months. He actually weaned himself about 2.5 weeks later.

The last 6-8 weeks were very difficult in terms of production and pumping what I thought was the right quantity (because I'd been pumping SO much to that point).

The best way to increase the volume is to have her nurse - a breast pump can't exactly replicate your child's suckle for the appropriate lactation hormones to signal your body to produce more. Nothing is a better stimulant for breast milk production than demand. If she's not interested and is beginning to wean herself as she transitions to solids, it may be more difficult. You can try extra pumping sessions, but sometimes they're more pain than they're worth.

It was really important for me to get him to a year as well without formula for many reasons. With our daughter I could only get her to 12 weeks so I could start chemo - shehad to be formula fed from that point on, and I quickly learned that formula wasn't as bad as I thought with our first child.

I hope in your case, you're able to meet your goal. In the end, if you're not able to keep-up, please have peace in knowing that you've done an amazingly selfless thing for your daughter to this point in time.

Good luck!

go see our lactation consultant. ###-###-####. good luck with everything.

First I want to say I know that people have circumstances that don't allow this, but the best thing for your baby would be to be with her mom, if there is any way you could cut back on your hours, or even quit working. Again I know that is not possible for everyone, and I'm not trying to judge you or anything so please don't take me wrong. I'm not sure what to do about the milk supply, but I do have some advice on the constipation you can give her just a bit of prune juice if she gets constipated like a Tablespoon with some water. Hope this helps.

I'd go back to the AM feeding, pump what you can during the day, and let her nurse as much as she wants when she's with you in evenings and on weekends. It should get your supply back up. I had a similar issue when my almost 1 year old was 9 months; I actually stopped pumping altogether and let her reverse cycle (i.e. she feeds a lot over night). She is thriving. I agree with water and possibly a little prune juice for the constipation. Watch out for solids that "bind" as well--bananas and applesauce are two culprits.