What is going on with my supply?!

[aspentosh]

Ever since I have been back at work (since DD was about 9 weeks old) I've pumped 3x at work. I used to get 13-15oz pretty regularly. The past three days I've only pumped 12oz, which is exactly what DD is eating at daycare. So far I haven't had to supplement, but I am worried I am heading towards that if I need to start dipping into my freezer stash.

I already take 3 pills of Fenugreek three times a day and I am making sure my water intake is up (48+oz at work, 16-32oz at home)... Any other ideas? Or did anyone go through this around 4months and recover without issue?

[Deleted]

I would add eating oatmeal or maybe drinking a Guinness (If you can stand it)

[Deleted]

It's a pretty normal place to hit a pumping rough patch.
kellymom.com/bf/pumpingmoms/pumping/pumping_decrease/

Have you changed the membranes on your pump?

[badtzmaru22]

What is your night/ weekend schedule like? I started pumping once a day in the mornings on my weekends to help get ahead for the week. DD takes a long nap in the mornings, and I usually had pumped once or twice at work by that time, so I just pump at home during that time as well. I've noticed an increase in my pumping output at work this week. Can you add a session like that?

[keyslover]

Did you get your period? My supply tanks during it, but it does bounce back.

Otherwise I agree with oatmeal, fluid and even try Mothers Milk tea.

[mie]

I agree with perhaps changing the membranes on your pump, drinking more water at work, or taking a calcium/magnesium supplement if you're ovulating/your period is back.

[Ashley&Scott]

DS is 4.5mo & my supply has dipped this week. I'm getting 2-3oz less in my first morning session & 1/2-1oz less in my other 2 session. In my case I'm guessing it's one or more of the following:

-my pump needs charged (I kept forgetting but am charging now)
-I'm not drinking enough water (paying more attention to this)
-too much stress (we had a hectic weekend & busy week at work)
-I need more rest (will try to go to bed earlier tonight)

I've also been doing breast compressions while pumping, if I didn't I think my output would be even lower.

If none of the above changes help my next step will be replacing my membranes. I have a Medela Freestyle & use 2 sets of parts. It will be $60 to replace both sets, not very mm. (Correction it would be $30 to replace both sets, $15 each)

[zeewifeandmama]

May 31, 2012 13:17:30 GMT -5 keyslover said:

Did you get your period? My supply tanks during it, but it does bounce back.

Otherwise I agree with oatmeal, fluid and even try Mothers Milk tea.

This.

[ijack]

May 31, 2012 13:33:13 GMT -5 Ashley&Scott said:

DS is 4.5mo & my supply has dipped this week. I'm getting 2-3oz less in my first morning session & 1/2-1oz less in my other 2 session. In my case I'm guessing it's one or more of the following:

-my pump needs charged (I kept forgetting but am charging now)
-I'm not drinking enough water (paying more attention to this)
-too much stress (we had a hectic weekend & busy week at work)
-I need more rest (will try to go to bed earlier tonight)

I've also been doing breast compressions while pumping, if I didn't I think my output would be even lower.

If none of the above changes help my next step will be replacing my membranes. I have a Medela Freestyle & use 2 sets of parts. It will be $60 to replace both sets, not very mm.

Can't you just buy the membrane part?

[Ashley&Scott]

ijack-

Unfortunately you have to buy a whole new spare parts kit.
www.medelabreastfeedingus.com/products/464/freestyle-spare-parts-kit


However I mispoke, they are $15 each, so it would be $30 to replace both of my sets.

[oregonpachey]

An FYI about the Fenugreek, some people respond better to 9 pills a day.

You could try upping your intake of that if you are willing.

[RoryGilmore]

You've gotten a lot of great advice so far. There is one more thing I did that may help -- when I started pumping I would scroll through some pictures of DS just to get the emotional side of pumping too. I would only look at the pics for the first minute or two and then would get back to work. But, it helped me to just relax and focus.

[beaver12]

I had better results with Shatavari than with Fenugreek.

[madringal]

I have this every once in a while and changing my membranes usually fixes it. I normally pump 4.5 ounces each session and yesterday I got an ounce each time! I changed them today and got my normal amount again.

[aspentosh]

Thank you all so much for the suggestions and links!!

No period, at least not yet.
I just changed the membranes on my PISA with no difference.
I do take 9 pills a day now and I don't want to increase anymore.
I pump 3x at work and don't really have time to add another session. Maybe I can add one at home (I nurse exclusively on the weekends).

I am hella stressed, so it's probably that in combination with what token posted.