Help! Period just came back & milk supply dropped???

[maureen73]

Okay...this can't be a coincidence can it? I am 13 weeks postpartum and nursing exclusively. Jacob is sleeping through the night now and my period just came back yesterday. I noticed about 2 days ago that my milk supply was dropping and I am wondering if it has to do with the hormonal fluctuation with the menstral cycle? I am pumping at work and normally have an awesome supply! I am scared. What is going on and what should I do? Thanks.

[tanyalynn]

Yeah, it seems typical. I noticed a bit of an increase mid-month around ovulation as well. I had to nurse more often the first couple months but after that it seemed that either my kids were used to it or the swing in milk supply lessened.

[Samjm]

I also noticed it when I was pumping at work for DD1. The good news is that your supply should rebound quickly, and there really isn't any problem at all.

[MaryJaneLouise]

Some people find calcium helps with AF associated low supply:

http://www.kellymom.com/herbal/natur...s.html#calcium

[anasmommy]

I could have wrote this post.
For the last week I have been having biting/strike/fussy nurser/up all night baby and the amount I am able to pump cut in half. I am just now connecting it. My cycle came back last month with avengence (I have horrible periods). I wonder if all of these things are connected, if she is biting because she is frusterated because there isn't enough and the pulling away and crying is becuase she wants more.
So I read about the herbs to try to reduce the effects, the calcium, fenugreek, etc. But my question is, should I supplement with EBM during this time. I am already exhausted and the all night nursing is really killing me.

Here is another thing i am confused about, all this week also, she has been taking less EBM at the nanny's. Is she responding to me?
I need a plan of what to do next month.

[saimother]

wow i was just thinking of asking for help here. my periods came back last month at 10 month pp. it was really horrible one but around that time my supply seemed to decrease. this month the period has not come well past date and i am confused. my supply seems to low or whatever but my baby wants to nurse more at night too.

[JANmom13]

I also previously had this problem with my first 2.
I tried Blessed Thistle and Fenugreek and B complex. It worked a little, prevented some of the drop.

I had no choice but to start solids at about 5 months. I would give them at that time, and I never was able to pump enough at work. Trying to nurse more never worked and drinking water just made me feel bloated and miserable. Plus, I was EXHAUSTED half the month. It seemed just as I recovered, it all started over again. And my girls were not patient enough to stay on to try to stimulate more milk.

With my son I feel like it's trying to come back but he instinctually demands to nurse a LOT more, he's far more patient, and this seems to hold it off. I also now take a Calcium/Magnesium/Zinc supplement, because I've heard Calcium helps.

Good luck and hang in there! I have heard some people say if you nurse enough sometimes your cycles can stop again, although that never happened with me.

[anasmommy]

update. My cycle hasn't come, so I am confused too.
But I got the blessed thistle and fenugreek on friday and my supply is back to normal. I am also doing the calcium and magnesium.
Should I stop the fenugreek/blessed thistle now that my supply is back up or should I just stay on it?
I don't want it to decline again.
It's expensive though.