10 months pp having difficulty with getting a let down!

[october]

Last night I was unable to get a letdown for my daughter THREE TIMES. We co-sleep, and the first time it was around midnight, ten minutes passed and I realized that nothing was happening, which woke me up even more. DD was so sleepy that she just turned over and went back to sleep. But within the hour, of course, she woke up again hungry, and the same thing happened again. After about 10 minutes, she gave up and rolled over. I was boggled. By the third time, I was pounding my other breast, breathing deeply, visualizing milk coming, and gently tugging on my breast every time DD slowed down on her sucking. It took 15 minutes to get a let down.

This is SO unusual that I am completely floored, flabbergasted, and a little scared. I had a glass of wine before bed, but that's typical.

What could be causing this?! Am I losing my milk?!

[CheriK]

Is it still happening today?  There are ideas and suggestions at kellymom (http://www.kellymom.com/bf/supply/letdown.html).

I doubt you're losing your milk.  Not sure what might have caused it initially (alcohol can cause, but if a glass of wine isn't unusual for you I wouldn't expect it to suddenly be a problem), but I do wonder if the subsequent episodes were due to your stress and worry.  Any new medications you're taking?  How about changes in reproductive status (are you possibly about to resume menstruating, or could you be pregnant)?  If it continues to be an issue, there are herbs that some moms feel are helpful.  What you already tried - relaxation, visualization, breast massage, nipple stimulation of the other breast - can help, too.  So can switch nursing (switch baby back/forth between breasts every few minutes).

[october]

I highly doubt I'm pregnant because I have the Mirena IUD, but I DO wonder about hormonal changes because yesterday morning I felt very crampy; maybe getting my period will temporarily be a nuisance for my letdown/milk supply?
 

No new meds, either. :/

Didn't happen AT ALL today. Breastfeeding was effortless, letdowns came within 30 seconds as usual. In hindsight I'm beginning to wonder if it was partly Eden's lack of enthusiasm. She wasn't *hungry*, she just wanted boob in her face, it seems, since she really didn't suck very hard or enough. Maybe it was a combination of things.

I suppose what I really was looking to find out was, is it common to have these experiences 10-12 months pp?

[CheriK]

Some moms do notice a decrease in supply around menstruation, a Calcium/Magnesium supplement can help with that (take every day or take from ovulation - menstration but that's harder to remember ;-).

Did it bother her?  Or was it more bothersome to you?  If it wasn't bothering her, then I wouldn't worry too much.  Do you normally sleep through her night nursings?  Could this be a normal pattern for her - comfort sucking without stimulating letdown, and you don't normally realize because you're more asleep?

I would think it to be more common as baby gets older & more likely to be doing comfort sucking and quick check-in nursing sessions.  Mom's milk supply will be naturally lowering due to decreased demands, and hormone levels are probably returning to more non-pregnant/non-lactating levels.  But that's just a guess!