Expert: ruth kraft - 12/23/2010

Question
im 33 years old, i have a 2 year old who i nursed her first year of life, and i have a 3 month old who because of a health scare with my husband, i was not able to nurse (a bit of depression along with much sadness, i think quickly dwindled my supply) but, now that my husband is in the clear and im feeling happy again i've been trying to nurse my 3month old -i do have to say that this entire time i have put her to the breast about 1 time a day sometimes skipping a day, so she has received very little breastmilk.  with my first and especially now with my second, i've never felt like i make enough milk -though with my first i exclusively breast fed but it seemed like she was at my breast about every 2hours. as im doing more research now, i see when women pinch their areola milk SQUIRTS! out, that has never ever happened to me -when i squeeze, i just get a thick trickle but that is it. im wondering if it's cause im older (im 33 now but 31 with my first) that i dont have an abundant supply of milk? ps im taking fenugreek as i did with my first baby too.

Answer
There are many factors that go into poor milk supply. The most common reason is poor latch by the baby from the beginning as well as not nursing frequently enough. This seems to be the issue you have going on. The women who squirt milk like you have seen by certain compressions, have a well established milk supply.  Breastmilk is created on a supply and demand, so if you want to make more milk, you can start pumping every 2 hours and nurse the baby more frequently. This will likely bring the milk back up.

best of luck!