Pregnant, drop in supply for 9-month-old

[NWnewmom]

I am now 10 weeks pregnant (a surprise) and have seen a significant drop in my milk supply for my 9-month-old.  Luckily, my DS suddenly started eating tons of solids about a month ago.  My question is, how do I know if he's getting enough and if it's balanced nutritionally?  He eats three meals a day consisting of as much as he'll eat of the following: spinach, yams, broccoli, barley, cheese, yogurt, banana, pear, avocado, peas, "organic puffs" and water out of a cup.  All food I give him is organic, cooked at home.  I am still BFing 6-7 times a day for as long as he wants but I can't tell how much milk he is actually getting.  In the morning he gets frustrated going form one breast to the other looking for milk.  I used to get 3-6 ounces (extra!) when I pumped and now I get .5-1 ounce.  I froze about a month's worth of milk to "have on hand" as a back up before I got pregnant.  I really don't want to have to revert to formula...I do plan on tandem feeding once LO number 2 arrives.  If you have had a similar experience, what did you do?  I knew my supply would dry up eventually but I thought DS and I had more time            

[CheriK]

The new "Breastfeeding Answers Made Simple" says "For the baby younger than one year, the natural pregnancy-related decrease in milk production could compromise his nutritional needs. Suggest the mother keep track of her baby's weight gain and, provide appropriate supplements."  From 6-12 months, weight gain is usually about 2-4 oz per week, but there is much more variablity in weight gain in older babies.  Is your pediatrician breastfeeding friendly?  S/he should be able to help you determine how much supplemental milk (either your stored milk - yeah for planning! - formula, or another animal milk) your DS needs and give you ideas on how to decide if/when he needs supplement.

Motherlove makes a product called "More Milk Two" that says it is intended to help increase milk supply when the pregnant mother is nursing an older baby. However, I haven't heard many moms say it was particularly helpful.  If you want to try herbs, alfalfa and nettle are safe during pregnancy (many herbs that are used to increase supply are contraindicated during pregnancy as they are uterine stimulants - fenugreek for example).  But some herbalists recommend avoiding any herbal products during the first and early second trimesters, so you might want to do more research.  "The Nursing Mother's Herbal" has some information about this.

 

I know of moms that have used different methods of at breast supplementation, like nursing supplementer or feeding syringe. Some moms have told me that the older baby didn't tolerate the change. An older baby can drink supplemental milk in a cup. 

 

[NWnewmom]

Cheri~  Thank you for the ideas and advice, I really appreciate it.  I am going to make an appointment with our pediatrician to discuss it with her.  She is new to us (change in insurance) so hopefully we are on the same page.