Low carb = low milk supply?

[mely]

My son is almost 5 months. I went back to work 2 months ago and my supply was fine.

I had gestational diabetes when I was pregnant - I was able to keep my blood sugar under control through diet. I noticed that I've been feeling awful after meals - so I started checking my blood sugar again - and I've noticed that 3 hours after a carb-filled meal my blood sugar would drop down to the 40-60 range - which is when I feel the worst.

SO I went back on the GD diet - I cut out the whites - cut out all refined garbage - and am only eating whole grains. Plus I cut out all caffeine. I feel great - my blood sugar has stabilized and I don't have episodes where I feel like I'm going to pass out. PLUS I'm losing weight without even trying. The bad news is that I've noticed that I am only able to pump about 1/2 as much as I did before

I'm not sure if the change in diet is what is affecting my supply - or if it's lack of sleep and stress. Michael is my 4th child but I've never gone back to work this early before. He nurses fine at home and his weight is perfect.

Any ideas? Is it the diet or the lack of sleep? Anyone? Anyone??

[Breastfeeding Insomniac]

I don't think it is the diet. Its probably the combo of returning to work/ lack of sleep/stress, with the main emphasis on returning to work bc baby is spending less time at the breast. Even if you are pumping regularly it is still not stimulating your supply the way your baby would. As far as your diet, it sounds like you are eating very well so if anything this is a bonus, although diet really should not effect supply unless there is a drastic reduction in caloric intake.

[MilkTrance]

On the low carb forum I have visited, I have heard reports of women making less milk after going on Atkins, which is very strict. Is your diet very strict? It sounds pretty healthy. I agree with the PP in that it may be stress.

If you think about it, many other cultures in the world breastfeed and they do not have access to refined carbs and caffeine.

[mely]

Originally Posted by MilkTrance

On the low carb forum I have visited, I have heard reports of women making less milk after going on Atkins, which is very strict. Is your diet very strict? It sounds pretty healthy. I agree with the PP in that it may be stress.

If you think about it, many other cultures in the world breastfeed and they do not have access to refined carbs and caffeine.

Nope not strict at all - I've done Atkins before and I don't even want to try that while nursing. If I really really want to eat something I'll eat it but I'm trying to be reasonable. I'm just worried because the drop in production seemed to coincide with the change in diet...

I may try adding one more pumping session during the day to see if it helps but I really really really hate pumping...