Boosting supply at 9 months?

[hilwithonelary]

I've been supplementing since very early on. Despite exhaustive efforts, I was never able to reach a full supply. I made peace with my low supply and having been satisfied with my nursing relationship. I've been holding steady at 12 oz formula/day since 6 months.

The past few weeks, DD hasn't been nursing well. We've been struggling with naps, so she has a tendency to fall asleep at the breast almost like a newborn. I feel like my supply has suffered.

I'd like to bring my supply up a little. The plan I came up with is to pump for 15 minutes after every feeding at home and add in an extra pump at 10 pm before I go to bed. I'm not going to drag my pump along if we're out and about. I also don't think I'm up for MOTN pumping sessions again, so 10 pm will be the last session until 6:30 or so when DD wakes up.

Do you think it's possible to bring my supply up given my history of supply problems? Do you think my plan is enough? I reeeeally don't think I can bring myself to do a MOTN pump after STTN for so long (since about 3 months).

[ijack]

A lot of people have supply problems at 9m. What about lactation cookies or fenugreek?

[hilwithonelary]

I'm already taking fenugreek, blessed thistle, goat's rue, and dom.

[ijack]

then I would try your pumping idea, just be aware that it might not do anything. GL!

[hilwithonelary]

Thanks! I'm going to need it. I just finished my first attempt at pumping after nursing, and I got less than 1/2 oz combined. I've always been an efficient pumper (my pumping output always matched what DD got in weighed feedings), so I don't think there was much of anything left after DD was done. Hopefully if I keep this up for awhile, my body will get a clue to up the supply a little.

[londoncalling]

I would pump past "dry" for another 5+ minutes when you pump to increase the stimulation and see if you can get another letdown. Also, try power pumping. 10 minutes pumping, 10 minutes off, 10 minutes pumping, 10 off, continue for a full hour. I did that around 9 months last time when my supply started to slide. I just watched TV and used my handsfree bra. It wasn't terrible.