Slow Let-down

This might sound funny, but try cold cabbage leaves on your breasts. It also is a cure for engorgement. There's something in the cold cabbage that helps ease the let down. Also, warm showers, massage, and sometimes just realize your body may be doing what nature has done for thousands of years... simply preparing your daughter for no longer nursing. If she isn't nursing as much and you aren't pumping as much, your body will stop producing as much milk.

Just wanted to add...I've had slower letdown as breastfeeding decreased with both my kids, at different times for each. My daughter was REALLY fussy and wanted milk instantly and she weaned earlier (but I was also preggo with #2). My son is still nursing about twice a day and just turned 2. He could wait forever. He's more of a snuggler and I think likes it more for the closeness than wanting milk. So each baby is different.

I've experienced the same thing with my 9 month old as the solids increase and the breast feeding decreases. I don't pump, however so can't advise on that. If I breastfeed more frequently, it seems to flow more quickly. If there's any way you could fit in 2 in the morn. and eve. and then pump 2-3 times during the day, I bet that would beef up your supply. You may even be able to beef up your supply over a weekend by offering the breast every couple of hours. I also breastfeed before meals when he's hungry, he'll take more milk. Then, I give solids. If she's really frustrated, you may might be able to pump until the let-down, then latch her on. You may even be able to do a sleep feed or two at night (although that my screw up a good sleeper). I feed my guy without waking him--just gently take him out of the crib and he usually latches right on in his sleep, feeds, and then drifts back off. BFing more often may not be convenient, and it may be time to wean. Additionally, as goofy as it sounds, I've heard of many women "comfort nursing". They know they don't have much supply left and may even give a bottle before BFing, but continue to do so for the closeness and bonding benefits. This may seem weird when not for nutritional value, but only you can decide. If you enjoy the closeness (and your child undoubtedly benefits) this may be a viable option.
Good luck!
M.

After reading your post, I realized that the same thing has been happening to me! My little boy is nine months, and I nurse him morning and night and pump two or three times a day at work. He has between 12-18 ozs. milk while I'm gone, plus rice cereal, and three fruit/vegetable containers (Gerber). My pumped milk usually doesn't break even with what he drinks while I'm gone, so we supplement with formula. (I used to get about 20-24 ozs. pumped a day; now I'm lucky if I get 10-12 ozs.. My job as a teacher is pretty high-stress and insanely busy, which is horrible for milk production, I'm sure.)

For me it's a really emotional and stressful thing to make enough milk for him (probably to assuage my guilt at not being home with him!)--and I feel like I'm slowly losing my supply, and I hate that feeling. For me having a slow letdown feels like it's more evidence that I'm not making enough milk for him. He also nurses for less time lately, again making me think there's not enough there for him.

I guess I'm just writing to commiserate. Maybe I'm wrong about losing milk? Maybe the other mothers who wrote to say that a slower letdown doesn't mean anything are right--I hope so!!!

Do you feel your letdown? I nkow around 8-9 months I couldn't feel my letdown anymore, and it wasn't an indication of anything, other than my body was fully adjusted to nursing and 'in it for the long haul' lol! It took me a long time to let down for the pump for both kids, forever.

Nursing infreuqntly can do it but its not a bad thing, your body will make what yoru baby eats, so as long as you are nursing morning and night your body will make milk for morning and night, KWIM?