Low Milk Supply at 9 Months-help Needed to Reestablish Supply and Tips for Vaca

Hi L.-

Awesome job doing it for 9 months! I had similar issues but it started out as soon as I went back to work. With my first I didn't really know there was any support or options to help. So at 4 1/2 months I quit nursing. With my second, I had issues upon returning to work again. I tried all the suggestions, increasing fluid intake, increasing pumping and all the herbal supplements I could take. Nothing actually worked for me. I was put on a prescription called Reglan. It is a medication that treats GERD but a side effect is increased milk production. Most women can take it for a week and it just boosts the milk supply back up--with the nursing that is happening the boost is sustained naturally. For me the increase wasn't sustained. I talked to multiple midwives and the medicine was fine for me to continue to take through the rest of the time I wanted to nurse. This drug let me nurse until my daughter turned one. I know OTC isn't what people want to hear and wasn't my first choice but it was the only option I had to allow me to nurse until she turned one. I hope it helps and good luck!!!

Simple: Have a little bit of beer. It's an old remedy that works like a charm. Our older parents all know this trick and if your Grandma hasn't shared it with you, this might be helpful :)

I don't know if this will help but it was the advice my midwife gave me when this happened 8 months into breastfeeding...

1. Lots of fluids (you probably already know that!! :-)
2. Pump/feed every 2 hours, round the clock, for 24 hours or more and see if that brings the supply "back"

So when you're not feeding her, pump.

This didn't work for me, as all I did was pump. My little boy never did breast feed but he had breast milk for 8 - 9 months.
Anyway, there's probably a better solution, but that's what I know. Good luck!!

Fenugreek worked great for me after I saw a huge decline in my supply after being sick. I think it was 3 capsules 3 times a day, but just ask your doctor (mine recommended that I try it). The amount listed on the bottle was not enough since it's not made specifically for breastmilk production. It took a few days, but I was back in business in no time. I slowly weaned off the Fenugreek by taking fewer capsules at each dose and then went down to 2 doses and then down to one. I thought I'd see a change after I stopped taking it and my supply has kept up months later.

Looks like you already have some good advice. I also wanted to add, that for me, anyway, sometime after 6 months of breastfeeding, I never really got engorged in the same way as I had when my son was a newborn. I expect it was due to decreased demand in feedings, and it was a welcome change as there was also less leaking, etc, even though the supply seemed to be enough. I nursed him through 12 months and didn't have any issues.

Also, a friend of mine used a supplement I think was called More Milk Plus and I know there is also a tea that is supposed to help (I think similar to the Fenugreek). I've seen them in the Health Food stores. Just be sure to do a little research/ask your doctor on the proper usage and possible side effects.

Best of luck.

first of all i want to thank you for being so dedicated to breastfeeding! :) this is a good thing!

the hard part about pumping is that it doesnt stimulate the breast the way that your baby sucking does. its a rather hard thing actually! so i would say to just nurse on demand, and you can even offer the breast before any solids to make sure that you are putting your milk supply first. drink plenty of water and get rested. i nursed my son until he self weaned at 19 months and i dont really ever remember feeling like i was full. so even if you are "empty" your breasts are constantly making milk, so there is a trickle, even if you cant get it out, your baby sucking can.

one thing that i did was i massaged my breast while my son was nursing. all around the area of your breast. the hindmilk is the more fatty part of your milk, and its usually the part that is way "in the back" of your breast, and it takes a while for it to be let down. a hindmilk imbalance (where baby isnt getting enough of it) would cause green slimy poop, gas, fussiness and spitting up more than usual. you dont mention this, but i thought it would be helpful to know if you are going to have to pump again soon. when you are pumping massage your breast also.

its kinda like a breast self-exam. you ahve to make sure you massage all parts of where your breast is going to be, from your collarbone, all the way under your armpit. you might be surprised how this brings up extra milk. the more empty you can get your breasts at a feeding, the more your body knows to make!

anyway, i hope that helps.
what you could really do if you havent already is to go to www.llli.org and search for a la leche league group in your area, or at least one nearby. i had to go an hour to find one, but its SO WORTH IT! check it out!