Sudden low milk supply

[queensmom1233]

Hi Everyone,
I have a 3.5 months old who is exclusively breastfeed. Up until about 2 days ago I have had plenty of milk, even after going back to work 3 weeks ago and having to pump at work. All of a sudden yesterday I went to pump and not much came out (compared to what I normally produce). I had to pump 2 extra times yesterday just to make enough bottles for my son to have today. This morning I woke up and I didn't feel full like I normally do. Does anyone have any experience with a sudden drop in supply like this?

Earlier in the week I was sick with a cold, so I'm thinking maybe this had something to do with it. I didn't take any cold medicine, other than some coldeeze lazanges which I read were safe.

Does anyone have any advice for me to help me make sure my supply gets back to normal?

Thanks!

[crayfishgirl]

I tend towards oversupply, and around 4 months I began not pumping as much as was able to (although it was still enough).  I know I pump less if I'm ill, and if I'm freaking out about not pumping enough.

I was reassured by info on this page...occaisional low volume days are normal, output is a measure of pumping volume not supply, menstruation and illness will decrease output.

I hope this is helpful!

http://kellymom.com/bf/pumpingmoms/pumping/pumping_decrease/
 

[LilMomma83]

Could you be about to get your period? That always does it for me...as does being sick...either way it returns to its normal state afterwards

[bigmommylove]

It could be the cold or that you are fixing to have a period. If it becomes a problem you could try using herbs like Breastea to increase your milk supply.
 

[bigmommyhugs]

HI Queensmom1233.  Did you find anything that worked to help your supply or did it just go back up? I am in the same situation right now. I used to have an over supply pumping 7-11 ounces in the morning and about 5 ounces by my third pumping session during the day when I'm away from  my baby but this last week, I am getting 4-5 if I am lucky in the morning.

I am back at work, it's been a stressful week, I'm sick, and I have a plugged milk duct in one breast that I can't seem to relieve.  My baby fusses at my breast and seems frustrated so I feel Like I don't have a supply.  Has anyone had these issues and dealt with plugged ducts? My little guy is also 3.5 months old and sleeps through the night I nurse him in the AM pump three times at work and nurse once in the evening. It breaks my heart to think of not being able to breast feed him much longer if my supply is getting so low.

Any suggestions or thoughts would be great.

I'm trying to power through this.

[queensmom1233]

Hi there. I'm so sorry you are going through this. It was really stressful for me because I was so scared my supply was going to go down and I was going to have to stop breastfeeding. Don't worry though! I was actually sick with a bad cold when I went through this. The only thing I took was "cold eze" because I was told that wouldn't have an impact on my supply. I'm still not sure whether my supply dropped because of sickness or the coldeze, but that's not really the point...

All I did was pump like crazy. I normally pump 3 times at work (and breastfeed my son in the morning and at night). When I went through this drop in supply, I pumped after nursing in the morning, then several times at work, then brought my pump home and pumped after nursing my son at night. I did this for a few days. It was sooo exhausting, but my supply came back.

I also did other things like drink Mother's milk tea, ate oatmeal, etc. Thank goodness I had a lot of frozen milk as well.

I actually don't have experience with plugged duct so sorry I can't help with that. I think that your supply will come back so don't worry. I know it's hard but that only compounds the problem.

Let me know if you have any other questions!