Ovulation warm-ups = supply dip. What can I do?

[nilatti]

So, my little guy is nearly 5 months old now. I've been exclusively breastfeeding, including pumping once/day at work (I work from home in the afternoons, but have to spend the mornings at the office). I've noticed that I'm having occasional supply dips--times when I can only pump 2 oz. in a session (normally I get 5 or 6). I read Taking Charge of Your Fertility recently (hoping to start charting whenever either my period returns or my baby lets me sleep 3 consecutive hours!), and it noted that, as your body gears up to fertility, it can start making estrogen surges, and you'd recognize this from having fertile-quality cervical fluid, even if you haven't gotten back to ovulating yet. Sure enough, I've noticed that those supply dips coincide with symptoms of an estrogen surge.

Here's what I want to know. Is there any way to prevent these dips? When they aren't going on, my supply is about perfect; I'm a bit nervous about creating an oversupply problem (although it's definitely a better problem to have). I guess this information would also be useful for when I get back to having periods and everything. I'll need to keep my baby fed then, too!

Just to be clear, my baby is growing fine and these dips only last for a few days at a time. But he seems extra frustrated, and I get stressed about making enough milk to leave him with my husband or the sitter every morning!

Any advice or even a "me too!" would be very welcome.

Thanks!

[staceychev]

No advice, but a definite "me too." DD is 10 months now and eating a lot of different things, and reverse cycling to boot, so I'm not as stressed about providing tons of milk as I was about 4-5 months ago. I remember distinctly trying to find info online to support my suspicion, but there's not much out there. 

[CheriK]

You might try a calcium/magnesium supplement.  This can help moms who notice cyclical dips in supply with menstruation.  It might also help in this situation.

Or, if you respond quickly to galactogues, you might take fenugreek or a More Milk type tincture as soon as you notice your cervical mucus changing.

From kellymom.com:
 

Low milk supply associated with menstruation: Calcium/magnesium supplement

Some women experience a drop in milk supply from ovulation (mid-cycle) until the first day or two of the next menstrual period. A woman's blood calcium levels gradually decrease during this period of time, and for some women the drop in blood calcium causes a drop in milk supply. For women who have this problem, calcium/magnesium supplements may be helpful. This practice has also been reported to eliminate most uterine cramping and some premenstrual discomfort such as water retention.

The recommended calcium supplement dosage is between 500 mg calcium/250 mg magnesium and 1500 mg calcium/750 mg magnesium (the higher dosage is generally more effective). Calcium dosages this high should not be taken alone, but as a calcium/magnesium (or calcium/magnesium/zinc) combination. Otherwise the calcium will not be adequately absorbed into your body. The amount of supplement depends on the composition of your diet -- the more animal protein, the more calcium/magnesium needed. If you are a vegetarian or vegan, the lower dosage may work fine for you.

Start the supplement when you ovulate, and continue through the first few days of your menstrual period. If periods are irregular, then begin calcium/magnesium at 14 days after the beginning of your last menstrual cycle, or simply take the supplement every day.