Dip in supply even if AF is absent?

[~Charlie's~Angel~]

A little background first.

My son is almost 9 months old. I got AF for the first time back on May 12th, and havent seen her again since. Strangely though, around the same time for the last three months, I will get the BIGGEST pimple you have ever seen, but no AF. I swear its like clockwork, it will start to surface around the 10th, and by the 14th, is ginormous! So it is pretty apparent that my body is going through some kind of hormonal change around the same time every month, (my skin is otherwise in good shape)

This time around especially I have noticed a pretty severe dip in supply. I even went to my local hospital yesterday and rented a lactina. I will know by this afternoon how much better it works then my in-style, but I am just wondering, could I get a dip in supply even though I dont get my actual period?

For the record, I am about 99% sure I am not pregnant. I took a test about a month ago, and nothing. And I dont FEEL pregnant. Still lbelow pre preggo weight from DS1, good appetite, no aversions, no spotting.

What do you knowledgable ladies think?

[~Charlie's~Angel~]

Um, does the cheese stand alone?

[MindfulBirth]

What makes you say you have a dip in supply?

[~Charlie's~Angel~]

I used to be able to pump between 11 and 13 ounces in an 8 hour shift. Now its more like 8 or 9.And I have to work my butt off for that. Also babe is getting to the point where even 12 ounces a day while I am gone from him isnt enough.

[MindfulBirth]

I'm sure you already know that it is harder to get milk out via a pump than it is via suckling. Try to go back to basics.. keep the pumping time as low-stress as possible, stimulate your nipples prior to pumping by pulling on them, and use guided imagery (imaging a waterfall.. now it is Niagra Falls.. now it is milk flowing..).

You can also try Power Pumping. Pump for five minutes then pause for 5-15 minutes, pump for 5, then pause 5-15, pump, pause. This will get you a higher base line of prolactin. Try this over your lunch break when you have a longer time to spend with the pump. Over the weekend, try doing more frequent nursings with your baby.

Now.. as far as AF coming back and then disappearing.. you need to talk to your physician about that. I would not be qualified to diagnose.

Let me know how it goes!