Quite possibly the dumbest question ever asked on MDC...

[Belia]

But how do you know if your milk has dried up?


DS is just about 19 months old, and I only nurse him twice a day- in the morning and at night.

[sophiesgrandma]

do you see and hear baby swallowing? Can you express? If so the milk is there.

[kayabrink]

Is your ds verbal or can he sign, to tell you?
FWIW, ds only nursed twice (and later, once) a day from about 18 months onwards, and continued to nurse until he was just over three y.o. So, theoretically, kids can nurse infrequently but still keep your supply up.

[MamaChicken]

I'm not sure that mine is gone, but my twins haven't asked to nurse in days and I'm not even remotely full. When I had to wean DS cold-turkey at this age, I was horribly engorged after 8 hours.

[Belia]

DS does not talk or sign, so I can't ask him. I've never been able to express, and I packed the pump away ages ago and don't really want to dig it out unless I have to. I do not get engorged anymore, although I'm too afraid to stop nursing for any length of time to really test it.

Dunno if he's swallowing.... I feel like I'm back in Breastfeeding 101, because its been so long since I had to look for that. We've been on autopilot for so long!

He seems to be pretty disinterested in my left breast- he sucks for a couple of minutes, then pulls off and screeches. It's a little better on the right side. It's almost like he sucks-sucks-sucks, but doesn't get anything (or enough) and gets frustrated.

He does have a bit of a stuffy nose, and I know that can make it hard for him to drink and breathe at the same time. Could also be teething, I suppose.

[Katie T]

The only stupid question is one that goes unasked.

I agree try and listen for swallowing. Also some kids nurse even if the milk is gone ( not saying it is by any means but just a FYI). They will do it for comfort. When my kids are sick or teething nursing always get funky for me as well.

If you were never a good pumper that wouldn't be a good way to see if you have any milk so don't worry about pulling it out.

You can squeeze your breast down to you nipple and see of you have any drops of milk but that won't tell you how much you have yk? It sounds like he is trying to get milk, are you eating and drinking enough and getting enough rest yourself? Have you been sick? He could be unhappy with no being able to breath while nursing.

Hope things get better in the coming days Also if he will let you a drop or two of breastmilk up his nose will likely help him breath better so he can nurse if that is the problem.

[ElliesMomma]

eat a ton of oatmeal to bring back your supply. get the "old fashioned" kind and eat huge servings for breakfast and dinner. take your child in a nice hot shower and wash his hair, pouring big cups of water over his head -- this always works to get the boogers out for my kids. then, having revved up your supply and (temporarily, at least) cleared your son's nose, try nursing him again in a quiet, relaxed setting. even if he doesn't talk much, you can ask him if he's getting milk -- he can nod his head for yes, or shake it for no, right?

[BetsyS]

I always wondered this, too. So many of my friends wean because "the milk was all gone". After about 7-8 months, I'm not really leaking, and I feel like I can't tell a difference between the way my breasts feel before and after nursing.

I've nursed both of mine until they just self weaned. Both at 18 months, both coincidentally when I was exactly 20 weeks pregnant. I never got engorged, nor did I feel any different when they weaned, so I figured the milk was gone.

I did ask my last 18 month old if there was milk, but he looked at me like I was speaking Greek. (he doesn't answer yes or no yet).

[Belia]

DH checked us out this morning, and we both saw swallowing! Of course, DS was looking at us looking at him, like, "What is your deal?" Definitely more on the R side than on the L.

The idea to eat oatmeal to boost my supply is a good one. UNfortunately, I can't stand the taste and texture of oatmeal. And I'm assuming that a few dozen oatmeal-raisin cookies won't help.

And if I asked him if he was getting milk he would not understand, either.

[texmati]

I wouldnt discount the cookies. google lactation cookies.

[THBVsMommy]

I love oatmeal and have been eating 2 bowls a day. I mix a little bit of sugar and pour frozen fruit over the oatmeal, mix together, and it tastes DELICIOUS!

[Katie T]

Originally Posted by texmati

I wouldnt discount the cookies. google lactation cookies.

My sisters supply was low and she made oatmeal cookies (not sure if it was specifically lactation cookies) and ate a ton (like almost all)lol in a few days time and her supply came up beautifully! She too doesn't like oatmeal, but the cookies work.

[PatioGardener]

Yes - try the cookies! I gave them to my friend who had a baby in the NICU and was pumping, and her supply did really well, plus she said they were tasty

[hopefulfaith]

I came in from the front page because I was totally into reading what "the dumbest question ever asked on MDC!" was.

Your question is not.

However, now that I've read your thread, I need to second the oatmeal cookies! I asked a ton of supply questions when I had questions about my own bf supply a few years back, and someone mentioned oatmeal. I hate everything about oatmeal...except oatmeal/chocolate chip cookies!! -- and I think they worked.

[Ellien C]

The feeling of fullness definitely goes away in the second year of nursing. We went until 4.5 years and I still had milk, but never, never that full feeling and NEEDING to nurse. Even after days of not nursing.