Breastfeeding - no more milk - HELP!

[Salli]

My milk supply is drying up, just about gone. Archie is 11 months
and for some reason my milk has decided to pack it in. I have tried
expressing more but I can only get about 60-100 mls after 6 or more
hours break. I would really like to keep feeding for a while longer
but understand that sometimes these things happen. I have returned
to work a couple of days and have been burning the candle at both
ends so that's probably why it's dried up. I am drinking plenty of
water and taking silica supplements but nothing seems to be
working. End just today my cycle returned which tells me my body
has made up its mind. Any suggestions to keep it going though?? I'm
going through a horrible quilt trip about not being able to feed
him for longer.

 

[izemmom]

Hi Salli

This happened to me, too. I know what you mean by guilt!!! Emily was only nine weeks old when I got a really bad cold and, without thinking took antihistimenes. They dried up my sinusus, and my milk. I tried using a supplement - Fenugreek - and it hleped a little, but never enough to really get back into a full feed routine. Being sick and stressed (new baby, cf diagnosis, older child, returnig to work part time...) was just too much for my body, I guess. I had pumped and preserved enough to keep Emily on breast milk (mixed with foumula) for anoutehr couple of months, but I felt terrible! I had hoped to make it to the one year mark, at least. Try the Fenugreek, though. Some people have had fantastic results with it. Also, talk to your doctor about the prescription med to increase supply. I can't remember what its called. Good luck!

 

[Mommafirst]

UGGH, I know how frustrating this can be.  But what you can
express and what the baby can get may be different things.
 That said, you know your body and if you know its drying up,
it may not be all lost.  Fenugreek or blessed thistle
supplements are both supposed to be great.  Also, eating
oatmeal seems to help as well.  Do you have a lactation
consultant at your disposal?  They are often really helping in
getting over this "dry" phase.  One other thing,
when your cycle returns you may have a dip in production, but it
should bounce back!!  Good luck!  If this you are not
ready to wean yet, there is still hope!!

 

[anonymous]

First what you express is not always the same as what the baby gets. The baby is the most efficient pump you can have. I have also used Fenugreek to increase supply when I was stressed and found it to defiantely work. Drinking tons water. Eating oatmeal everyday(huge bowl for breakfast). Also encouraging your baby to nurse more will stimulate more milk. Supply and demand. You've done a great job nursing for as long as you have


Rebecca(mom to sammy almost 8 no CF and MAggie 3 1/2 with CF)

 

[anonymous]

I also wanted to add I've been having a terrible time being able to post on this board. I know this has nothing to do with this thread but I have not been able to post, perhaps my computer is outdated. I tried to log in with a username and it just won't let me post or reply, very frustrating. I am anonymous right now and it's working, anyone have an idea why this is happening? I miss posting!

Rebecca( mom to sammy almost 8 no CF and Maggie 3 1/2 with CF)

 

[JRPandTJP]

Salli, there are lots of great ways to restimulate your supply...all is not lost. Lots of good suggestions already.

First of all realize there may be alot of things going on in your daily routine that isn't giving you and Archie the same amount of time you had prior to work. If he still has the desire to nurse alot you can bring back your supply much easier just by putting him to breast frequently. Always feed him before every meal when he is hungriest. Don't offer bottles and other drinks as much for now so he can come to you when ever he is thirsty or hungry. Food can be offered as usual, just after you nurse him.

Do you have a hospital grade double breast pump? These pumps are most efficient and can be rented from hospitals and pharmacies. This can be used between feedings and when you're away from him at work for about 2 weeks to get your supply back up (continue at work to keep it up).

Taking fenugreek as directed with lots of good foods and water will also help as the other moms mentioned. After increasing his feeds and adding a few pumping session daily you should "feel" a difference in milk supply by 3-5 days. After about 2 weeks your supply will feel different but the full feeling will subside again...doesn't mean milk isn't there just that your body has adjusted again.

Also, many women around this time don't realize that the breasts change as our babies mature. When they are small and nursing frequently our breast tend to hold more in the immediate milk ducts... almost like it is just waiting for baby. As the baby is introduced to foods and nursing extend our breasts do not fill up before feeds but we actually produce "on-demand" milk. This is a time when many moms feel their supply might be drying up or slowing down. It isn't. It is just a more efficient way to produce and store milk for the baby...often they are getting as much or more each feed.

Pumping is also a tricky thing. Babies are way more efficient at getting milk out of the breast. Many moms who nurse full-time can get nothing out with a pump...or as little as 1-2 oz. However, in time as your breasts adjust to pumping you can extract more. Sometimes it is a matter of trying different ones or adjusting the setting to see what works with your breasts and let downs. If baby is nursing and you are just using the pump to add stimulation between feeds and at work, don't focus to much on how much you are getting out...it is more about length of time of pumping (usually 15-20 minutes until it becomes easier)

Here are a few references to help you re-establish your supply. <a target=_blank class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge href="http://www.lalecheleague.org/FAQ/increase.html
">http://www.lalecheleague.org/FAQ/increase.html
</a><a target=_blank class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge href="http://www.lalecheleague.org/NB/NBMarApr94p43.html
">http://www.lalecheleague.org/NB/NBMarApr94p43.html
</a>
You really can do it and it isn't your body deciding it is just a transition and a reaction to changes that sometime we don't notice at first. If you have milk it can be brought back anytime. I could start pumping today after weaning 5 months ago and still stimulate my body to lactate. Our bodies are truly amazing don't you think.

Good luck and email me any time with more questions. jody@meta4tech.com

Warmly,

Jody

 

[MOME2RT]

My girlfriend had this happen as well.....she was prescribed Reglan...also used for reflux. I also would suggest MORE water, even when you think you have had enough drink some more!!!

 

[Salli]

Thank you all for your advice. Somehow along the journey I have
adopted a very disfunctional way of breastfeeding as I express for
the two feeds during the day and then feed him at night from the
booby. This is mainly because Archie is a bit of a bugger and
wouldn't feed properly (too busy seeing what's around him and
getting distracted from the smallest of things) and also because I
returned to work a couple of days a week. This has only been in the
last 2 months but I think that is what has lead to the drop in
milk. I used to be able to express close to 180 mils per feed but
that has since dropped to about 100 if I'm lucky. I am taking
Fenugreek and will try the oatmeal trick. I have also heard
Guinness is good and a bowl of white rice...?? I am also going to
hire another expresser as mine has a slight air leak and isn't
working efficiently. I will also attempt to get Archie to go on the
boob during the day. He always refuses though as now he is used to
have bottles during the day I think. I'll keep you posted on how we
go. He has also been sick with bronchiolitis this week (wheezing,
coughing until he vomits etc) so that has also made BF a little
difficult for him. I think he's on the mend now though (horrible
little virus that one!!)<br>
<br>
Thanks again to all<br>

 

[anonymous]

Sallie,

My son(no CF) was the most distractable nurser. Any noise in the room he'ld stop nursing to check out what was going on, then he'ld be too busy to nurse. I found if he was a little sleepy he'ld be more willing to nurse. For example, after a nap while still groggy or after a stroller ride. I'ld also try to tone down the distractions in the house if possible, turn off the phone go in a room with no toys. My son ,noCF, nursed til he was 15 months and once he started walking and really playing he was done, his choice. I went back to work with my first child and the stress did affect my supply. Also, wanted to add a multivitamin couldn't hurt if you took one.

The Guiness beer , I guess it's the barley or malt plus the calories that help supply. I have heard as well having a beer helps you relax which will help with the milk letdown. Of course you would just want one beer, it's been recommended to me to have it with the evening nursing session, at the start of it. Again it may help with letdown, help you relax, baby hopefully will fall asleep, and everyone is happy.

I remember when my son weaned, I cried it was very emotional, hormones and all. My daughter with CF weaned, a mutual wean at 3 1/2 years old. It was gradual and my hormones must not have affected me, no crying involved as it was time.

Each child is different. Your doing a great job.

Take care,

rebecca(mom to Sammy almost 8 no Cf and Maggie 3 1/2 with CF)