Lactation Problem with Quality and Quantity of Milk

Drink plenty of fluids, keep pumping and only supplement if you need to. Any breastmilk is better than none....

Hi,

It sounds like you're getting good advice here, but I just wanted send you some more encouragement. My little guy is about 8 1/2 months old now and I am noticing a dip in my milk supply (I was like mini-dairy farm). I am also craving gooey chocolate cake non-stop, so imagine I might be getting my period soon. This WILL cause your milk supply to fluctuate, but you can get through that! With my first child, right before and early on during my periods I always had to struggle to pump more. I would suggest mixing water with your daughter's cereal rather than milk. If she is almost 9 months old she is probably ready to eat more solids (obviously depending on her development and your doctor's recommendations). My little guy actually had his first sampling of our dinner last night and loved it. He was going through too much milk during the day and I had to really emphasize that he is needing solids at least 3 times a day. Honestly, you probably don't need formula at this stage if you are trying to get her to a year without it. We did once when I was away for a weekend conference, but he threw it up and had diarrhea and was miserable, so we are avoiding that at all costs. Mother's Milk tea might help, but you could also try adding a pumping session first thing in the morning right after a shower, or trying pumping one side while you nurse her on the other right after you get home when you are more full. I am waiting for a phone call today since I only left 8 1/2 ounces today and I don't think there's any more milk in our freezer. Good luck and hang in there--you're almost to a year and doing great!!

P.S. If you have not already introduced sippy cups, do! You can offer your daughter water in a cup during the day to help her learn to use one, and if she is struggling with a bottle you can try a little of your milk in a cup as well. She is getting to that stage where she's learning to self-feed and might enjoy the independence. There are lots of cup options for little ones to learn on, so don't get too frustrated if you have to shop around and try a few.

I am currently nursing my third child who is 10 months and have never given formula. It is not easy. It is the toughest and most rewarding job a mom can do. I have also had to pump with my first child (now 8yrs old). Milk consistency and quantity definitely do change. When you are with your child, skin to skin contact as much as possible and letting her nurse more frequently should help. I have also used "Mother's Milk" tea. You can find it in a variety of supermarkets.... Very often milk changes because your child's needs change. This is the age when many mothers give up thinking the milk is "not coming in". Your daughter may not need that extra feeding. Solids are filling other needs..... My dr. suggested that we start giving a little cow's milk in a sippy cup during a mealtime. Hang in there!!!! I nursed the other two until they were a little older than a year!! If she's hungry and needs milk, your body will make it....

I wouldn't worry about one day of low milk supply. My son is five months and I have always had an overabundance of milk. One day last week, I pumped less than half the amount I usually get. I got really worried.
Today, I pumped and once again I had more than enough milk. Milk supply varies. It could just be that your daughter didn't eat very much the day before so your body is making less milk. Whenever I'm worried about my milk production, I make sure I eat whole grains - oatmeal, barley, rice pilaf, etc. I'll also drink a cup of organic mother's milk tea. See what happens tomorrow and the next day before you start to worry. After all, stress can lower your milk supply also!

Yes, it could be your period coming back, I think my exclusively BF child was 9 months when it happened, and your supply tanks for about a week. As for the watery quality of the milk, if you only got a very small amount, what you likely got is the foremilk which is thinner, it's the hindmilk that's richer. I would up your fluid intake, eat oatmeal and nuts and maybe shop for some mother's milk tea.
Good luck!

I've breastfed 2 boys now and pump everyday at work. You're milk will appear watery, there's no problem with it. It still has all of the nutrients that are perfect for your baby.

Pumping is difficult. You need to relax, listen to some soft music, bring pictures of your child. Try to pump as much as you can, 3 times a day is best but time consuming. Don't stress or you won't get as much milk.

You'll do fine.

Are you having let-downs? I know when I get a few drops of fore-milk (the watery milk) and not much else I am not having a let down. If you are annoyed or stressed it can inhibit it.

Just make sure you have a good pump (pumps can at times lose suction after time) and try to find a way to have a let down. For me, let downs are tough. What I do is feed my son on one side, and when I have a let down, I pump on the other. It's a lot of juggling but manage to get it done. Or, if I am not feeding him and I feel a let down coming I run and get my pump.

My period came back 2 months postpartum with both children. I have no problems at all with supply and the quality of milk. My son has already doubled in weight and he just made five months.

It just sounds like you didn't have a let down. Don't get discouraged, keeping cracking at it and try not to supplement.

try adding oatmeal to your diet every day, it made a difference for me. real oatmeal, and have it with some maple syrup, the fake kind, it has fenugreek in it. also, remember that the amount you pump isnt an indicator of what she is getting when she nurses. you will produce less simply because she is eating solids and nursing less, i assume. could be from getting your period too, which can affect the taste, might be a reason for her not wanting the bottle? increase your nursing and pumping for a few days, add the oatmeal, and you should see an increase in production after a few days. as for the watery milk, be sure you are finishing the first breast first and getting the hind milk, thats what thickens what you see in the bottle when you pump. also, any meds or caffiene that dehydrate you will affect your production.

Dear S.,
I, too, breastfeed. I hardly get anything when I pump, yet my daughter has enough wet and soiled diapers every day, and is gaining weight, so I know she's getting enough milk. A La Leche League leader told me that breast pumps can't replicate infants' suckling action, so what you pump isn't necessarily reflecting what you're producing. I would go to the La Leche League website if I were you and ask a leader for suggestions on how to increase your pumping output.
Good luck!