Anyone Notice a Drop in Supply around 18-24 mos?

[RavenStar]

Now that I'm noticing this with DD2, I'm recalling a similar thing happening with DD1.  It used to be that I could do bedtime and have enough milk to make it until she fell asleep.  Now it seems she's going from one side to the other without getting much.  I seem to remember not having as much milk at the end of the day with DD1 and needing to do a different bedtime routine at that point.  I think we started doing massage and telling stories to help her fall asleep after nursing.  A new chapter!

Just curious if anyone else has noticed a change around this time.

p.s.  I'm really trying to make sure I'm drinking enough water.  She still nurses about 6-7 times during the day.  She also wakes up at least 3-4 times a night for milk.  She's almost 2.

[Asiago]

Yes, I've noticed it, just one feeding also. However I noticed it at the 'waking feeding'. My son tends to nurse a lot, all night long and he was indicating that it was 'empty' when he wanted to nurse for his usual 'long' nursing of half an hour or so upon waking in the morning.

The decrease may be natural, but I also suspect that societal pressure has a part in it. As my son gets older (now 21 mos.) I am nursing less in public therefore, for every time he needs to nurse and I prolong the wait, he is missing a feeding, hence, less milk production, and I am upset about it.

I started taking Fenugreek and it has solved the milk problem thankfully, but I still need to grow a 'thicker' skin and just nurse him, even if I am in a shopping aisle (as I used to do months back when it was more socially acceptable).

Edited by Asiago - 8/10/11 at 6:15pm

[sky_and_lavender]

I was just coming here to post about that! I feel I'm making less milk during the past several months, especially during the latter part of my menstrual cycle. My daughter will be 2 at the end of this month. I just feel like a lot of the time she is dry nursing, but she persists (and I'm glad). She still nurses often--usually at least every two hours while awake, and then on and off during her 1-3 hour nap, and a few times in bed overnight including a very extended morning session.

Even though I am a mostly shameless NIPer, I think Asiago might have a point. When I'm at the pool or in the grocery store, I know she "can" handle it to wait 30 minutes, and so I'll ask her to. I delay her maybe once a day on average, but when I'm out for longer days and she is distracted, I don't offer. Wonder if that has something to do with it.

I read here and on Kellymom that the lower milk supply during luteal phase of the menstrual cycle can be helped with cal/mag and have been trying that with possibly some results (hard to know for sure, but it definitely took care of the breastfeeding pain I was having). I've been thinking of trying fenugreek and have been wondering whether my low vitamin D (currently on megadose therapy for it) and borderline low iron (due to long periods--taking Floradix) have anything to do with it.

Interested to hear of others' experiences!

[foreverinbluejeans]

You are still nursing as often as many people nurse their infants! I think that's a good thing. I don't think supply is the issue. Your child doesn't "need" more breastmilk to survive/thrive. There could be other things going on. This is an age children often have an increased sucking drive and suck their fingers more. Since breastfed toddlers are less likely to suck fingers this may mean more sucking at the breast at night. Toddlers this age can take longer to fall asleep. We can want them to go to sleep before the time that they would fall asleep on their own. If you waited until 11 the child might fall asleep with little nursing, at 8 it takes a lot of nursing. I don't think its something moms need to take vitamins or drugs to try and fix.

[Anna Phor]

My son will be 2 in November, and have a very similar nursing schedule--nursing 6-8/day including 1-3 times overnight.

I have a definite supply drop for about 2 weeks to 10 days before my period. The other half of the month seems to be okay. It's been pretty consistent for me since I started menstruating at 13 months pp. I started taking calcium/magnesium/zinc per kellymom about 3 weeks ago, so we'll see if that has an effect. I also take mothers' milk tea (1 cup per day) in the second half of the month. 

If I don't "fix" this, my kid wakes up 5-7 times per night whimpering, instead of 1-3 times and going straight back to sleep. So in my case I feel like my child is *not* ready, and my body is not making the milk that he needs. My menstrual cycle came back when we dayweaned/weaned from the pump, which was on my schedule, not his.

[RavenStar]

Originally Posted by Asiago 

Yes, I've noticed it, just one feeding also. However I noticed it at the 'waking feeding'. My son tends to nurse a lot, all night long and he was indicating that it was 'empty' when he wanted to nurse for his usual 'long' nursing of half an hour or so upon waking in the morning.

The decrease may be natural, but I also suspect that societal pressure has a part in it. As my son gets older (now 21 mos.) I am nursing less in public therefore, for every time he needs to nurse and I prolong the wait, he is missing a feeding, hence, less milk production, and I am upset about it.

I started taking Fenugreek and it has solved the milk problem thankfully, but I still need to grow a 'thicker' skin and just nurse him, even if I am in a shopping aisle (as I used to do months back when it was more socially acceptable).

Interesting observation, Asiago.  I still nurse in public too and yet I do find myself asking her to wait until we get to the car or wait until we get home.  I find myself being more aware of nursing a toddler in public vs. a newborn or little baby.  Glad the Fenugreek has helped.  I have some Mother's Milk tea I could try.  Wishing you the best!
 

[RavenStar]

Originally Posted by sky_and_lavender 

I was just coming here to post about that! I feel I'm making less milk during the past several months, especially during the latter part of my menstrual cycle. My daughter will be 2 at the end of this month. I just feel like a lot of the time she is dry nursing, but she persists (and I'm glad). She still nurses often--usually at least every two hours while awake, and then on and off during her 1-3 hour nap, and a few times in bed overnight including a very extended morning session.

Even though I am a mostly shameless NIPer, I think Asiago might have a point. When I'm at the pool or in the grocery store, I know she "can" handle it to wait 30 minutes, and so I'll ask her to. I delay her maybe once a day on average, but when I'm out for longer days and she is distracted, I don't offer. Wonder if that has something to do with it.

I read here and on Kellymom that the lower milk supply during luteal phase of the menstrual cycle can be helped with cal/mag and have been trying that with possibly some results (hard to know for sure, but it definitely took care of the breastfeeding pain I was having). I've been thinking of trying fenugreek and have been wondering whether my low vitamin D (currently on megadose therapy for it) and borderline low iron (due to long periods--taking Floradix) have anything to do with it.

Interested to hear of others' experiences!

Hi Sky and Lavender!  You and I have little ones around the same age.  I remember your name from the TTC forums way back in 2008. :)  Interesting that you're experiencing it too.  That really makes sense about making less milk during the luteal phase.  I'll try some more cal/mag.  I know I need it. (I'm not able to eat dairy and need to supplement)  Take care and thank you for sharing what is helping you!

[RavenStar]

Originally Posted by foreverinbluejeans 

You are still nursing as often as many people nurse their infants! I think that's a good thing. I don't think supply is the issue. Your child doesn't "need" more breastmilk to survive/thrive. There could be other things going on. This is an age children often have an increased sucking drive and suck their fingers more. Since breastfed toddlers are less likely to suck fingers this may mean more sucking at the breast at night. Toddlers this age can take longer to fall asleep. We can want them to go to sleep before the time that they would fall asleep on their own. If you waited until 11 the child might fall asleep with little nursing, at 8 it takes a lot of nursing. I don't think its something moms need to take vitamins or drugs to try and fix.

foreverinbluejeans, I realized this same thing after I posted this!  Amazing isn't it?  She does nurse as often, just not as long per session.  I also think that her latch is changing since she is teething.  She's starting to work on her 2 year-old molars.  Thank you for your insight!

Sky and Lavender, maybe this is a factor for you too?  I have been having breast and nipple pain and I think it relates to her latch.

[RavenStar]

Originally Posted by Anna Phor 

My son will be 2 in November, and have a very similar nursing schedule--nursing 6-8/day including 1-3 times overnight.

I have a definite supply drop for about 2 weeks to 10 days before my period. The other half of the month seems to be okay. It's been pretty consistent for me since I started menstruating at 13 months pp. I started taking calcium/magnesium/zinc per kellymom about 3 weeks ago, so we'll see if that has an effect. I also take mothers' milk tea (1 cup per day) in the second half of the month. 

If I don't "fix" this, my kid wakes up 5-7 times per night whimpering, instead of 1-3 times and going straight back to sleep. So in my case I feel like my child is *not* ready, and my body is not making the milk that he needs. My menstrual cycle came back when we dayweaned/weaned from the pump, which was on my schedule, not his.

Anna, Interesting that you noticed the same thing relating to your cycles.  I agree with you about the low supply being a problem.  My DD will wake up more often and want to nurse more often when she's not getting very much milk.  I'm also trying to give her bedtime snack.  She still wakes up at night for milk and I'm okay with a few times.  When it's more than 5 or 6 times, I am so tired during the day.  Hope the supplements work for you!  I'm going to give them a try.
 

[Asiago]

Thanks and good luck RavenStar, hopefully you will figure out a solution.

(I have not had a post partum period yet, if that info is helpful. )

My breasts definitely feel full now when I awake, the Fenugreek has really been helpful.