Help, please. I think I'm losing my milk, but my toddler's still nursing!

[loon13]

Since dd is a little over 2.5 years, I know it's not as much of a crisis as if she were a newborn. Still, it's important to me b/c I'm to CLW.

I don't think it's weaning. DD is going strong. She still nurses quite often during the day, and at night sometimes. Some nursing sessions are 5 minutes, some are a good 20 or more.

About 2 weeks, we both came down with colds. DD had a fever the first day and then the cold showed up a day or two later. She nursed quite often the day of the fever, but I noticed she didn't pee as much that day. She was also drinking water, and I figured with the nursing, and no signs of dehyrdration, that she was okay.

This week, I had a blister on one nipple. I don't think it was a plugged duct, but since a blister developed, it's possible. DD was still nursing, I did warm compresses, etc. And sometimes tried to pump. I've been noticing that when I pump and/or manually express that there's really no milk. Some drops, an occasional very thin stream. But that's it.

I tried listening when dd nurses and I can't hear the swallowing. I can only hear what sounds like comfort nursing an empty breast.

Dd is sleeping right now, so I decided to pump and see what happens. I pumped both sides for about 10 minutes each and NOTHING!!!

What gives? Since she's still actively nursing, I should have enought, right?

What could it be? We were just ill. Stress? Yeah, things are pretty stressful right now, but I didn't think that bad. Pregnancy? It's *possible* that I am pg, but I won't know for sure till this weekend and anyway, would I lose milk already??

Ideas?????????????????????

Thanks,
Loon

[Mama2ABCD]

does she have wet diapers everyday? (that's good) and if they are wet, are they kind of an orange sugar texture (that is a sign of dehydration)
try increasing your intake of water, you might be a little dehydrated. my best friend had that happen to her, her milk would not let down. her baby's ped noticed the sugary, orange substance for pee and said that the mom was dehydrated. cured almost instantly by drinking water.

if i ever have to pump i can only pump when i got a baby nursing on the other breast. baby's are such efficient pump machines, nothing comes close.

you are probably fine. you and your baby sound like you got your nursing job going so well it's barely noticeable.

[cmb123]

Is your child 2.5 months or 2.5 years? You said toddler in your headline...but 2.5months is still quite an infant, that would make a huge differance in my response!

[loon13]

cmb123, OOOOPPS!! You're right, I meant 2.5 YEARS. I just edited my op.


kirstie, Thanks for the suggestion. I haven't been drinking as much water as I should, and water is pretty much all I drink. I will try that. DD just potty trained and is peeing normally. I may just be panicking, since dd doesn't seem to be complaining, but thanks so much for the reassurance.

[Fiercemama]

Have you asked DD if she is getting milk?

[loon13]

Originally Posted by Fiercemama

Have you asked DD if she is getting milk?

I hadn't thought of that either. DD has sometimes said "I like the nummies!" ( ) but I never specifically asked her if she was getting milk. I will try it. Thanks!

[loon13]

UPDATE

Okay. <tentative exhale of breath> I think we're okay. Still not 100% sure, but I'll try not to worry right now.

I've been better about getting more water today. Also, I asked dd (while she was nursing) if she was getting milk. She nodded. I asked her if the nummies were good. She nodded, smiled, and went back to nursing.

Sorry for the panicking. I should know better that pumping isn't always a good indication of how much milk she's getting, but I've always had good results pumping before. The last time I did a good amount of pumping was about 6 months ago, and I had no trouble.

Ah well, thanks for the reassurance everyone.

If there are any other ideas though, I'd always like to hear them.

Loon

[Mama2ABCD]