How to tell if you no longer are producing milk

There is a good chance that you are still producing milk but that you just stopped the letdown feeling (very common) and your DD outgrew the burping issue (also common).

Can you ask DD?

You can also look for drops escaping her mouth or pull your nipple out of her mouth while she is nursing and you might see some white drops on your nipple.

Many women produce milk for years nursing only 2-4 times a day, so that is not necessarily a problem. But each woman is different, so it could be a problem for you.

I am sure others will have some good ideas if you want to try to increase your milk production, but if DD is not acting fussy or upset at the breast (clawing, extra biting, pulling, etc...) it probably isn't an issue.

I *thought* I had totally lost my milk while pg and then one day I noticed that DD had it streaming out her milk, so it was obviously still there.

I was going to say ask your dd! I know DS would let me know if there was no milk. :LOL But you could also try hand expressing a drop or two, I can still do that quite easily, or just have a look at your nipple after DD stops nursing. You'll often see a drop or two. I haven't felt letdown probably for the last year, since my supply finally adjusted to the demand when DS was about one. I don't think it's unusual to stop feeling letdown.

Alison

Thank you both for your replies!

My daughter is not advanced enough verbally to tell me yet. She still nurses like everything is ok. She doesn't act unsatisfied, but she will still drink a cup of water or juice after she nurses (if she doesn't fall asleep)

I had no idea that it was common to no longer fell the let down reflex! I was worried that not feeling it meant I wasn't producing.

I'll try to see if I see any milk. I never could express well, with either a pump or by hand.

Thank you both again for the info!

Shannon