6 months old and left side is tanking...

[mkpgoddess]

The short version - my left side has gone from producing 4-8 ounces per pumping session (depending on the time of day) to 1-1.5 oz.

The long version - I returned to work when my DD #2 was 4 months old. In the first five weeks, my output increased by an ounce or so a day, capping out at 22 ounces in 3 pumping sessions. Then, at the end of the five weeks, my work schedule changed to where I work nights on some days and days on others. My supply then evened out to roughly 18 oz per day. A few weeks ago, we got hit with the flu, multiple colds, etc and I started losing about an ounce a day. This past weekend, my daughter slept through the night despite repeated offers of the boob (cosleeping). I ended up with a plug on the left and just pain on the right. Frequent nursing and pumping resolved that within a day, but since then I can only produce 1-1.5 oz on that side.

What I've done so far - frequent nursing/pumping on that side, brewer's yeast and flaxseed for supply. I can't take fenugreek as it upsets mine and DD's tummies.

I'm slowly losing my output and as a full time working mom, this is really bad. Why won't it bounce back??? What do I need to do???

Thanks,

Samantha

[Llyra]

If you've been pumping frequently, it may be time to change the soft parts of your pump. Those wear out, after a few months, and then they stop creating as effective a seal, which makes the suction less effective. So I would start by doing that-- you can contact the company for information on how.

It's very common for pumping mamas to see a reduction in output after the first few months. Often a change of pump parts makes a big difference. Another thing you can try is to simulate a growth spurt, by having a few frequent-pumping days. That means adding a few pumping sessions into your day, to simulate the frequent nursing that a baby does during a growth spurt. It can take three or four days, but your breasts will get the message, and many mamas will see an increase in output. You may find that you need to permanently add an additional pump into your day-- it can help if you put one flange of the pump on one breast, while baby is nursing on the other, during the times when you're with baby. Baby will stimulate the letdown for you, which might help if you've having trouble letting down for the pump. I got my best pumping results when I did this-- and it really sends the message to your hormones that more milk is needed.

I EPed for my DD1, and the frequency days were what saved us. I used to have a nurse and pump-in, one weekend a month, where DD and I would spend the whole weekend, from Friday evening to Monday morning, just hanging out in bed, while I pumped every half hour all day.

And of course this is easy for me to say-- but stress can really inhibit letdown. Worrying about your output can sometimes sabotage your efforts. Try distracting yourself, while you pump-- watch videos of baby, or look at pictures, or read a good book, or something. Something that makes you feel the way you feel when you're with baby. It sounds awful-- but I had a video of DS crying-- crying HARD-- that I used to watch on my computer, whenever I was having trouble pumping.

Good luck! And good for you for making it so long-- Working and pumping is a challenge, and you're meeting that challenge! That's awesome!