supply question--a bit concerned

[EMS]

Hi, I have a question about supply. Is it possible for supply to decline considerably in just one day?
I had to be away from my 4-month old for about 16 hours one day this week, and I'm worried that my supply has dropped. I could only pump twice in that time period.
Usually I pump once in the morning (while feeding him) and once mid-morning while I'm at work. I go home midday.
I feel like I can barely pump 2 or 3 ounces now, though! And he's waking up at night to nurse more, and in the morning when I go to pump there's very little there.
Can anyone help? My biggest fear would be having to supplement. I never did with my other babies, but I was home with them full time.
Thanks!

[Llyra]

Even if your supply did decrease, if you allow your DC to nurse on demand when you are with him, your supply should rebound quickly. If he's not satisfied, he'll ask to nurse more often, and that added stimulation should remedy the problem very quickly.

Keep in mind, too, that there are a lot of reasons for decreased pumping output. It might be time, for example, to change your soft pump parts. Those break down after a few month of frequent pumping. It might also be, too, that your stress about reduced supply is inhibiting your letdown reflex, when you are pumping.

What I would do is try pumping for a whole five minutes after your milk has stopped flowing. I would try distraction while pumping, to maybe help you relax better. If you're anxiously watching the ounce lines the whole time, that's not helping. Good music, TV, photos or videos of baby, or reading a book, can all help you relax enough to let the milk flow freely. If you have a single-side pump, switch sides as soon as the flow slows down, so that you're switching often. And when you're with baby, let him nurse as often as you can get him interested, night and day, and nurse from both sides if he's willing, each time. If he sleeps a long time at night, try a late-night pumping session, because your hormone levels are highest in the wee hours, so pumping or nursing then is really helpful if you have low supply.

But I wouldn't worry too much. Your supply can recover from much worse than one bad day!

[EMS]

Thanks so much for the input. It does semm to be rebounding now, over the weekend.

[Heba]

Glad things are going better! I missed your first post, but I would have said the same as Llyra. One day shouldn't make any difference that can't be caught up with a day or two of devoted nursing.