I'm not pregnant, right?

[Dov'sMom]

I have three children. With my first pregnancy, I had many symptoms, including lots of breast tenderness. With the other two, I got pregnant while I was nursing and had basically zero symptoms.

My baby is 7 months old. I have not yet had a PPAF, but I am not on birth control. (#2 came before PPAF from #1) Last week my breasts got really tender and sore, and then my milk supply plummeted. As in, all I could pump Thursday and Friday was 6-7 ounces -- and I was away from baby all day! And over the weekend, baby is nursing much longer than usual, needing to switch sides twice before being satisfied.

I've taken several tests, all negative. Then again, with two of my children I got BFNs until 21+ DPO.

Would my milk supply drop so soon, even before a BFP? Does it make sense that suddenly I'd have breast tenderness as a pregnancy symptom when I haven't had it for two pregnancies?

[HulaJenn]

could just be your fertility returning and making things a bit wonky. I also found after 6 months, it was harder for my milk supply to keep up (especially if you are away from baby a lot?) Boost your oatmeal and water intake. have you noticed any fertile looking CM yet? I would watch for that and increased sex drive. Another good indicator of fertility returning. And if symptoms persist...keep taking tests for piece of mind. Good luck!

[Mosaic]

Originally Posted by HulaJenn

could just be your fertility returning and making things a bit wonky. I also found after 6 months, it was harder for my milk supply to keep up (especially if you are away from baby a lot?) Boost your oatmeal and water intake. have you noticed any fertile looking CM yet? I would watch for that and increased sex drive. Another good indicator of fertility returning. And if symptoms persist...keep taking tests for piece of mind. Good luck!

[turtlewomyn]

Another vote here for returning fertility. My breasts always got sore in the second half of my cycle and many women report a drop in supply around the time of their periods. It sounds like your body is gearing up to try to resume cycling. Be extra careful if you don't want to be pregnant.

[MountainMamaGC]

Its normal to have a temporary dip in supply when fertility returns. Just keep nursing on demand and you will be fine.

[Dov'sMom]

Thanks ladies.

It made sense that returning fertility would cause a supply dip, but I wanted confirmation.

I've been testing and getting BFNs, but I just don't trust those things anymore, not after getting BFNs more than 21 DPO with each of my younger two children. It doesn't help that the IC brand I'm using now gives me a nice pink evap every time! (yes, they're evaps -- stark white for at least 10 minutes, but I can't help looking 1/2 hour later to find the pink line! Been happening since I've been using these, c. 6 months -- I take an HPT once a week until I get my first PPAF -- having conceived once without one I'm sensitive to the possibilities...and I have definitely not been pregnant all that time!)