Expert: ruth kraft - 12/30/2009

Question
Hi, I have a question about my milk supply. I have an 8 month old baby who was exclusively breastfed until she was six months after which time I started introducing solids. I used to pump once a day at work but at 6 months I would sit for an hour and only get about 25ml when in the past I could get 150ml in half an hour. I'm not sure if it was the stress of work that decreased my supply or if it was the return of my period- at 5 months? Now my baby is 8 months old and I only breastfeed twice a day. Once in the morning and once at night and she gets formula during the day. I would like to breastfeed for as long as possible but i'm scared my milk is going to dry up completely. Is it possible to dry up completely even though I'm breastfeeding her twice a day? It feels like she's taking less and less in- she only feeds for about 5 to 10 mins and it takes ages for let down now days. Is there anything I can do to keep my supply going until she is at least 12 months and maybe longer?

Answer
Hello! as long as she is nursing, she will get milk. It is supply and demand. the pump cannt get nearly the amount that she will get by nursing. So rest assured, she is getting what she needs in each feeding. It is also common that many women dont even feel "full" or feel letdowns like they did when the baby was younger. The breasts accomodate the milk supply so it looks decreased when it isnt. So keep nursing for sure. You can take metamucil 2 or 3 times a day to increase supply and also try mothers milk tea and fenugreek as those often help also.

I hope that helped!

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