Pumping output plummeting?

[ssmjlm]

It could be that my period is going to show up, but for the last couple weeks my pump output has been abysmal.

I used to get 6.5ish oz my first pump at 10am and then 2.5/3ish at 2pm.

Last week and this week I'm barely squeaking out 4oz at 10am and 2oz and 2pm.

Oh and lately in the mornings E has been nursing quite a bit longer, but I don't know if she's just legit hungry b/c she STTN or if it's b/c there's not as much milk?

Ugh, this is giving me too much anxiety/mom guilt.

I was hoping to go down to 1 pump a day next week, I've got almost 200ish in the freezer and we're already supplementing.  And I'm just ready to quit the pump.

For those on the app E is 10.5m.

[arch01]

When did you last change your membranes?

[ssmjlm]

Mar 13, 2014 9:47:55 GMT -5 arch01 said:

When did you last change your membranes?

A couple weeks ago, but I have an ameda, so it's a bit different than the medela membranes.  I could try ordering another set and see.  Honestly though, I change them, but I've never noticed a difference.

[Deleted]

If you just did the valves, it's probably not that. Who knows? If you're planning on cutting back, I wouldn't also be trying to pump more. Those are kind of opposites. I'd just roll with it and keep nursing when together.

[cilantro]

Just wanted to say sorry. I never know what my daily output is going to be like, particularly since he weaned off the boob and I live and die by the pump!

7 more bags left til any deficit is made up by formula!

[countthestars]

How much is she eating during the day? Do you want to give her pumped bm past 1? If you've only got 6 more weeks until her 1st birthday, 200oz in the freezer and she's had formula can I ask why you are still pumping at all?

[dbsk8dance]

Mine has done the same. I've added a pump before bed to make up the difference in what she drinks during the day and what I'm pumping at work. I have about 50 oz in the fridge and it should get me through until 1. ( dd is almost 11 mos)

Dd seems satisfied when she's with me and nursing and she's eating a ton of food, so I'm trying not to stress about it.

[ssmjlm]

Mar 13, 2014 9:59:28 GMT -5 countthestars said:

How much is she eating during the day? Do you want to give her pumped bm past 1? If you've only got 6 more weeks until her 1st birthday, 200oz in the freezer and she's had formula can I ask why you are still pumping at all?

She takes 3, 5.5oz bottles right now.  Two are BM (mix of fresh/frozen), one formula.  I'm going to ask daycare about going down to 5oz b/c she eats a ton of solids too and sometimes doesn't finish the very last bottle, leaves 1oz or so.

I guess I'm still pumping b/c I do want to give her some fresh at least for another month or so. 

You're probably right though, cutting back really is NBD at this point.

[anonymous]

Around 9 months my supply tanked and I only got through b/c of freezer stash.

[countthestars]

Mar 13, 2014 10:07:18 GMT -5 ssmjlm said:

Mar 13, 2014 9:59:28 GMT -5 countthestars said:

How much is she eating during the day? Do you want to give her pumped bm past 1? If you've only got 6 more weeks until her 1st birthday, 200oz in the freezer and she's had formula can I ask why you are still pumping at all?

She takes 3, 5.5oz bottles right now.  Two are BM (mix of fresh/frozen), one formula.  I'm going to ask daycare about going down to 5oz b/c she eats a ton of solids too and sometimes doesn't finish the very last bottle, leaves 1oz or so.

I guess I'm still pumping b/c I do want to give her some fresh at least for another month or so. 

You're probably right though, cutting back really is NBD at this point.

I totally get it - I'm in a similar place with dropping supply and hating being attached to the pump but continue to do it.  I would just keep chugging along and pulling from your freezer stash as needed.  You're doing a great job!

[sunshineluv]

Every time that happened to me, I would panic, then have my period, then my supply would go back up. Fx that happens for you.

[mpc]

by 11 months I was only getting 2oz max per pumping session. I had to pull from my freezer stash all the time for daycare, but I also noticed we could start doing somewhat smaller bottles too.

[winemaker06]

Mar 13, 2014 10:12:45 GMT -5 sunshineluv said:

Every time that happened to me, I would panic, then have my period, then my supply would go back up. Fx that happens for you.

I noticed this this week when my period showed up (at 6 weeks postpartum WTF!).
Does supply usually go back up quickly, or after the period ends? Bad timing with a growth spurt.

[Becca]

I looked back in the app that I track pumping in, and I had a noticeable drop around 10.5 months too.

I think it is just one of those things. Our bodies can only tolerate an electric baby for so long :/

[hymen]

I started having a noticeable drop around that time too. I pumped as much as I could workout adding more sessions and with my pediatrician's approval, started introducing WCM slowly. I would basically just top off the BM bottles with WCM.

When he was with me I still nursed normally. I stopped pumping around 11.5 months. We made it until 13 months nursing.