Worried about my milk supply

[ashleyc]

So my son is starting to sleep in some longer stretches at night and sometimes falls asleep at the breast during a night time feeding so I am not feeding him as frequently and sometimes one breast doesn't get nursed for 12 hours. When I went to pump this week to build up some stash for day care, I couldn't pump anything.  I've never really been able to pump much more than I give him but usually I can get an ounce.

Anyway, this is freaking me out as I'm going to have to start pumping 3 times a day at work soon.  I know this will be in place of feeding him, but still pumping isn't the same as nursing, and I'm just worried about my milk supply dwindling.

The last week has been really hard.  My son is fighting naps and day sleep and I have found it really stressful and depressing, which usually means I don't eat as much as I should, I've lost some weight - I know all these things could affect my milk supply.

For those of you whose little ones do sleep longer stretches at night or who went back to work - did it affect your milk supply?  I am back on the herbs and mother's milk tea and have been trying to pump after each day time feeding now to get my supply up.

I really don't need another thing to worry about!! Thanks for your thoughts :)

[greenmulberry]

My milk supply is great and I work outside of the home, I am gone for ten hours at a stretch.

I pump twice a day, and get 6 ounces each pumping at work. (I did originally have to pump four times a day to get that same total amount though, at 3 ounces a pump).

Anyway, if I try and pump at home, I can barely get an ounce. I really can only pump substantial amounts if they are in place at a feeding.

Will your baby let you pump one breast while you nurse the other? that has been the only trick I have ever found to allow me to pump more than an ounce at home. However, now that my baby is 6 months, she wants to kick and grab everything while she nurses, and that just doesn't work anymore.

[Erin77]

I found that the more I pumped, the more I responded to the pump. So if I haven't done it in a while, I barely get anything. I would try pumping a couple times during the day even when you're home with your son, to "build up," and especially pump once if he's sleeping for 12 hours. I have been working 10 hours a week and tried to pump instead of raiding my stash, and I need to build up to it to have enough.

[foreverinbluejeans]

I went on Ashey's forum to see how old her baby is. By my estimate her baby is around 14 weeks.

One of the most important things to figure out as a mother is the difference between the times it is important to be the boss and the times it is important to let the child be the boss. Babies of working mothers need to nurse often enough to keep the milk supply up (without drugs). Babies don't get to sleep through the night and they don't get to not sleep during the day. The mother and care provider need to do what it takes to make sure the baby complies. I understand babies can be strong willed but you can be stronger willed.

Once you start solids, food could replace one of the breastmilk bottles when you are away.

[SweetSilver]

I found that longer stretches of sleep at night really did affect my daytime production.  I had a touchy supply, though, and even small changes had dramatic effects.  Could you drag yourself out of bed to pump for 15 minutes?  Or try to keep him awake and busy nursing at least once at night?  I know it seems impossible, especially when they start sleeping longer and moving yourself to do anything but roll over and sleep is like moving the Rock of Gibraltar across to Africa with a toothpick, but I merely suggest... Good luck!

[bigmommylove]

I would just pump every 2 to 3 hours at work, nurse while at home, and maybe throw in a pumping sometime through the night. It has kept my milk supply going good. I also drink Breastea and I have seen an increase of several ounces since I started drinking it.

[imolivia]

I also used to have low milk supply a few weeks after I had given birth. A friend of mine suggested Lactaboost reassuring me that it was going to increase my breast milk naturally and it did so after a few days. My baby who used to suffer from flatulence and indigestion started to calm down. In fact, my peadiatrician was surprised the next time we visited him.

If you are looking for a natural way to increase lactation, try it yourself and you'll be amazed by the results.

[AnaB]

I've was always on the low side for milk supply. What struck me is the title of your post 'worried about my milk supply' - worrying and stress is the worst for your milk supply! Of course I realize your situation, and you have enough reason to worry, but it won't help. Your milk supply practically depends on frequent nursing/pumping and as less stress as possible. So try not to worry :) I have recently tried Milkin' Cookies (I'm giving some away on my blog), though I'm not nursing - but a lot of moms say that they help tremendously! :) I'll be trying them when I give birth in November. We went through so many breastfeeding challenges with my first, the first months are the hardest and it isn't easy taking control of the stress. But after that it was great, she nursed until 2 - worth all the effort. Relax, breathe deep, it's all going to work out!