where'd my supply go? pumping for my 1 year old.

[tigermiep]

Hi. Our boyo will be 1 next Friday, and for the last few weeks, my pumping output has gone way, way down. I thought it was just my period, but it continued. I work from 7:30 to 1:30 Monday through Friday, and I get one break to pump each day. I used to get at least 4 oz when I pumped in the mornings, and since I was working longer last spring, I also pumped a second time and got 3 oz. A morning session (I'd nurse on one side all night, then pump the other side first thing in the a.m.) would yield 4 or 5 oz, and that would usually hold it for the day. Yesterday, DP gave him some cow's milk, which he seemed to handle ok, as we were out of EBM, and he wanted a bottle.

But now, I've gone from getting 4 oz, to 3, to now 1.5 or 2 in the morning, and somewhere between 2 and 4 oz at work. I was leaving DP 8 or 9 oz to give to our son while I was gone, and he would have some solids as well, then nurse as soon as I returned. This week, I have only 4 oz to leave, and my freezer stash is all gone. He's been really wakeful at night -- we used to get at least one 6 hour stretch, say from 9 to 3, and then wake up 1 or 2 times before getting up for the day, but lately he's been up every hour or 2.

SO, my questions are as follows:

1. Why am I not responding to the pump as well? Do I need to get new parts? Is it because I'm not sleeping more than 5 hours most nights?

2. Is there anything we should look out for when giving cow's milk?

3. Do I really need to keep pumping, if he's still nursing 5 to 7 times (more some nights!) in 24 hours? I plan to keep nursing while I'm at home...

Thank you!

[HappyHappyMommy]

Originally Posted by tigermiep

SO, my questions are as follows:

1. Why am I not responding to the pump as well? Do I need to get new parts? Is it because I'm not sleeping more than 5 hours most nights?

Hi! I'm an EPer and use a hospital-grade pump most of time.

I did notice that over time, my supply has gotten slighter lower (my DD is now 19 months), but what described doesn't sound like a gradual. So here would my best guesses:

I do have to replace the little membranes (here's a picture: http://www.amazon.com/Medela-87088-S.../dp/B001XB9LGO) periodically or else the amount I am able to pump decreases. So that might be something to try.

Most likely, though, it could be exhaustion. The top 3 things that seem to affect how much I'm able to pump are: not getting enough fluids/dehydration, not getting enough sleep, and stress.

I'll be thinking good thoughts for you. And congratulations on your son's first birthday!

[nameisrio]

I pumped at work til my daughter was about 16 mos. The supply I was able to pump gradually went down until one day I only pumped 1 oz. and I decided what was the point? My daughter loved cow's milk and doesn't have any allergies, so it was not a problem. I was slightly uncomfortable the first few days at work that I didn't pump (I actually hand expressed into the bathroom sink one time!), but after that my body adjusted and I still had plenty of milk to keep her happy when we were together. We nursed for about a year and a half after that.

Maybe he is just eating more solids and so your body is naturally slowing down milk production. If he takes to cow's milk, I wouldn't worry. It's very liberating to be able to put away the pump!