As a breastfeeding Mom it can be frustrating when your milk supply drops. Here is my story behind a sudden drop in my milk supply, as well as different ways to increase your milk supply.
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This post was originally written in March 2014
My Breastfeeding Back Story
Here are some ways to know your baby is not happy with your milk supply: She cries. She punches your boob. She roots on your neck after you’ve fed her. She screams and pulls down your shirt… and that’s what she can do at 3 months.
These behaviors are all new to me since I never had milk supply issues. Until now. Annabelle was always pleased with what I was giving her.
I’ll never forget how big my boobs got when my milk came in after I had Annabelle. We are talking porn star status here. Obscenely huge, standing straight up under my chin, and rock hard. Of course they also hurt like a b-word and I had a lot of trouble with my first letdown. The milk just didn’t want to flow!
After a couple of hot showers and massage, I produced so much milk that I was positive I would be the new Dairy Queen. Imagine 4-6 oz on each side during twice daily pumping sessions? I don’t know why I wasn’t freezing the milk back when this was happening – I would have had quite the stash in the freezer!
What happens when your milk supply suddenly drops?
After two months of breastfeeding, my milk supply started to slow down. This is normal. And then… it pretty much stopped on my right side. I could nurse her on the right side in the mornings and maybe once more during the day, but she usually started yelling or smacking me to let me know that not enough milk was coming out. Plus, the letdown is slower on that side and my little girl is quite impatient.
I wasn’t too alarmed since Annabelle gains weight steadily, but my left breast was double the size and hurt like hell. Also, since I was nursing almost solely on the left side, it started overproducing and I was leaking milk everywhere.
I realized I needed to do something about my milk supply. I knew I’d find my answers among my breastfeeding mom friends at my weekly Mommy and Me group led by my hospital’s lactation consultant. We talk about everything from diaper rashes to milk blisters to ways to increase your milk supply.
There are quite a few ways to do this… and I have been doing almost all of them. It is important to consult a lactation specialist before you try this on your own. Especially since it is normal for one breast to produce more than the other!
Five Ways to Increase Your Milk Supply
- Nurse frequently. Remember – you want to remove more milk from the breasts and do this frequently. If baby is having weight gain problems, aim to nurse at least every 1.5-2 hours during the day and at least every 3 hours at night.
- Switch nurse. Switch sides 3 or more times during each feeding, every time that baby falls asleep, switches to “comfort” sucking, or loses interest. Use each side at least twice per feeding.
- Avoid pacifiers and bottles when possible. All of baby’s sucking needs should be met at the breast.
- Consider pumping. Adding pumping sessions after or between nursing sessions can be very helpful
- Take care of YOU. Rest. Sleep when baby sleeps. Relax. Drink liquids to thirst .
Since implementing the above tips, I’ve seen my right side go from producing .5 oz to 2 oz in my morning pumping session. Annabelle has also stopped punching me and is actually eating off of my right side first. Hooray!
If you feel that your supply is dipping and you want to know how I helped out my right side, here are some ways to increase your milk supply. All information displayed was collected from my group and this breastfeeding website.
NOTE: When you start to reduce the amount you’re breastfeeding your baby you may experience postpartum depression. Read my experience with PPD after weaning here.
I never had a drop in supply like you mentioned, but my right side always produced way less than my left and I nursed for 12 months that way. In times of crazy hungry fits or fussiness, the right never was the answer. Lefty was always the cure-all the baby was looking for, haha.
I found that oatmeal, and avocado seemed to increase my supply. I did take Fenugreek for a bit, but it made me break out in a rash!
Avocado helps? I need to try this… thanks for the tip!
No supply issues … yet, but I’ve been back at work for almost a month, which means a lot more pumping and a lot less actual nursing. Since baby is the most effective pump, this has led to plugged ducts (and almost mastitis) and a perpetual milk blister on my right breast. I cannot get rid of it and I want to put my foot through the floor every time he latches on that side.
Carrie I had milk blisters (blebs) that were very stubborn – not coincidentally always on my “lazy” side. This webinar might help you if you ever need some more tips/tricks http://youtu.be/g54ado9cu-c and @nancyholtzman is a great resource if you’re on Twitter!
That sounds absolutely awful! Do warm showers help?
Liam has always had enough when nursing directly from me but keeping up with the 22 oz a day he drinks at daycare can be very hard. My over 200 oz freezer stash from maternity leave has slowly trickled down to 60 oz. When I’m not responding to the pump I boost demand on the weekend. About once a month I will pump after every single nursing session on Saturday and Sunday. It is exhausting but works!
I never thought about trying to pump after nursing sessions on weekends…when I have someone around to watch the baby! Thanks for the tip Shannon!
Excellent set of tips! I did a post a while back, and included many of these same tips. I’ve fortunately never had any serious milk supply issues, but I was proactive from the jump. I take Fenugreek and drink Mother’s Milk tea. I don’t like to pump, but do occasionally. The main thing I have the most trouble with it drinking enough water, so I drink Gatorade too. Anything to help keep me hydrated, since your body needs water to make milk. Breastmilk is 93% water, so your body is working double to stay hydrated. And eating a well balanced diet is essential too! 🙂
My diet is where I slack! Since I have stomach issues, it is hard for me to eat really healthy. I hope that my diet isn’t affecting my supply!
I noticed the vitamins helped so much!
Hi Caitlin!
I have been following you on istagram since you were pregnant. My baby is now 2 months old and like you I never had any supply issues until now. I was just wondering did taking Fenugreek help you at all? I haven’t taken any yet but I bought some today! Anyways any advice would be soo appreciated.
Ps. Your baby girl is adorable! Take care 🙂