Can you just dry up??

[Marnica]

My supply has taken a serious hit and I can't figure out why.

DS is 18 months old. about 2-3 months ago, my supply, which had already dwindeled a bit since I got AF back when DS was 13 months, has gotten even lower...

I pump at work and have always pumped once a day. I have been doing this since DS was 3 months old. In the beginning I pumped so much I had a frozen stockpile. After AF it was about 6-7 oz total and in the last 2-3 months I'm lucky if I pump 2-3 oz total. I have added a pumping session before I go to sleep in hopes this would help, but I rarely get anything from that (maybe 1 oz total). It takes me 2-3 days to get enough milk to send to daycare with him. On the days I don't have enough I send Goat's milk (DS has cow milk issues) He still nurses when he wakes up in the morning and when goes to bed (and b4 his nap on weekends). I offer more often when we are home, but he is not interested. This has been the norm for longer than 2-3 months however, so I can't figure out why the drop? I have tried using things to boost supply but nothing has worked. I really really want to be able to get through this flu season and make sure he is getting enough of the immunological benfits of the BM.

I hope this is not a sign I'm just slowly drying up? I wanted to make it to at least 2yo. Any suggestions??

[Picard]

Maybe it has to do with your menstrual cycle? Whenever I get my AF, BM decreases dramatically for a few days.

[Baby_Cakes]

The same thing happened to me. When I mentioned it at LLL, the leader (whom I adore) told me that as our babies get older, our milk changes composition. It has more bang for its buck. Less milk (in oz) but the same or better concentration of the "good stuff". Older babies/toddlers nurse less often, so it makes sense.

DD is 14 months and I just stopped pumping at work. I was barely making 4 oz, and then at the end it dropped down to maybe 2-3 a day. I work 2 days a week, and she still gets 1 bottle for nap w/an alternative milk. She's still a nursie nelly the rest of the time, so I don't worry about her nutrition.

Try not to worry too much about your supply. It is most likely fine. It sounds like the normal course to me.

[Bokonon]

What kind of pump are you using? Most standard pumps are only designed to last about a year. If you are using a Medela, have you changed the white membranes on the flanges? They are supposed to be changed every 3 months.

Other than that, if your son is still nursing, it's highly unlikely that you would just dry up completely, barring a new pregnancy or sudden health issues. It may just be that you are getting less responsive to the pump, which can happen.

Kudos to you for making it this far!

[Marnica]

I do have a madela. I have changed the white things, but not every 3 months!! I think I've changed them twice in 18 months!. I'll try that, but it sounds like this is the natural course of things.....I would actually love to stop pumping at work as its a major pain, but I feel the need to send BM to daycare with him...but I guess since I'm only doing that maybe 2 -3 days of the 5 what's the difference really right? He still nursses in the am and at bedtime, so he is still getting some milk. I guess I'm also afraid that if I stop pumping that my suplly will get even lower...the less you take out the less you make right?

I feel sometimes when he's nursing he is not getting what he needs. My breast are never "full", I rarely feel letdowns anymore and doesn't spend much time nursing...I think whatever is in there he gets out quickly and then he gets frustrated so he stops.

[Bokonon]

Originally Posted by Marnica

I feel sometimes when he's nursing he is not getting what he needs. My breast are never "full", I rarely feel letdowns anymore and doesn't spend much time nursing...I think whatever is in there he gets out quickly and then he gets frustrated so he stops.

This is all very normal - your body has adjusted to the demand, which is why you don't feel full or letdowns. Totally normal. He may just be too distracted to nurse long, and that's normal too. You're doing great!