Milk dries up during my period

[LoveChild421]

I'm sure its hormonal but I don't know what to do. I got my period back 4 months post-partum (despite on demand nursing, no bottles or pacis, and cosleeping) and now that I'm having "real" cycles (ovulating and getting regular periods) I am having a serious problem with my milk almost completely drying up during the last 3-4 days of my period. I normally have a very abundant milk supply.

I have tried doing oatmeal, fenugreek, mothers milk tea, etc. and nothing helps on those days. I will nurse almost constantly and still ds gets upset and pops off the nipple in frustration because there is just no milk! He normally sleeps very well but during those days he is up every 30 min to nurse at night. This time I resorted to giving him formula (after letting him nurse until he got frustrated and clearly hungry still) and he seemed satisfied and acting and sleeping like his normal self.

That was about a couple weeks ago, now my milk supply has come back to its normal level and I'm not having to supplement at all. I would like to avoid giving him formula everytime I have my period but I don't know what else to try.

Anyone BTDT or have any advice?

[moondiapers]

Originally Posted by LoveChild421

That was about a couple weeks ago, now my milk supply has come back to its normal level and I'm not having to supplement at all. I would like to avoid giving him formula everytime I have my period but I don't know what else to try.

Anyone BTDT or have any advice?

I had the same problem. Why don't you pump a bit during your abundant times and stick it in the freezer to use during less abundant time. Make sure to always nurse him at the breast before giving him the expressed milk so that you are still getting stimulated to produce more.

[GooeyRN]

Calcium and magnesium supplements seem to help some with that. Same goes with nursing teas during those days. And as always, lots of oatmeal and water!

[Ruthla]

Originally Posted by moondiapers

Why don't you pump a bit during your abundant times and stick it in the freezer to use during less abundant time. Make sure to always nurse him at the breast before giving him the expressed milk so that you are still getting stimulated to produce more.

I was going to suggest this as well. Another advantage to pumping daily, and having "slightly more milk than the baby needs every day" is that, if milk supply does decrease, you may still have enough even with the decrease.

[LoveChild421]

Originally Posted by moondiapers

I had the same problem. Why don't you pump a bit during your abundant times and stick it in the freezer to use during less abundant time. Make sure to always nurse him at the breast before giving him the expressed milk so that you are still getting stimulated to produce more.

I say abundant but I guess maybe I have just enough- even during the times during the month when my breasts seem to be fuller and producing the most milk I still can't get more than 3 oz or so even with my electric Pump in Style and then if he has to nurse he seems like he's not satisfied (nurses forever and starts popping off in frustration.)

I'll try the calcium magnesium supplement idea and see if that helps. It may become less of a problem since he will be adding more solids into his diet soon (right now he mostly just gets what he grabs and some fruit in his mesh food feeder).