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Message |
    
Handygirl
Citizen
Username: Handygirl
Post Number: 569
Registered: 2-2004
| | Posted on Thursday, February 2, 2006 - 3:07 pm: | 
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To all of you breastfeeding moms,
Did you find that your milk supply decreased when your baby was around 6 months old? I have to supplement now. |
Virtual It Girl
Citizen
Username: Shh
Post Number: 3924
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, February 2, 2006 - 3:26 pm: |
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At six months I started giving my kids juice several times a day, plus they were eating food, so I did nurse less but I never supplemented and continued to nurse each of my kids 'til after their first b-days.
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Handygirl
Citizen
Username: Handygirl
Post Number: 570
Registered: 2-2004
| | Posted on Thursday, February 2, 2006 - 3:38 pm: |
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My baby eats some cereal, but his primary food is still milk, so he nurses just as often (still every 2-3 hours). And I work full-time, so I have to pump during the day. I used to be able to pump 3 bottles, then two, now 1 - 1 1/2. |
papayagirl
Citizen
Username: Papayagirl
Post Number: 495
Registered: 6-2002
| | Posted on Thursday, February 2, 2006 - 3:58 pm: |
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Several things happened at 6 months. My son's appetite increased, the amount i was able to pump (because i was working full-time) started to decrease, my freezer stash of backup breast milk ran out, and we started cereal. My supply continued to dwindle until my son flat-out refused to nurse at 9 months, although i blame that on how little milk he was actually receiving by then, rather than a nursing strike or a picky kid. So it's hard to say if my supply would've decreased at 6 months had i been staying home and breastfeeding full-time. But the short answer to your question is, yes. |
campbell29
Citizen
Username: Campbell29
Post Number: 343
Registered: 4-2002
| | Posted on Thursday, February 2, 2006 - 4:33 pm: |
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Once my daughter started eating real food - her interest in breastfeeding went from slim to non-existant. My son, who is bottle-fed also drinks less and eats more once he started food. |
Virtual It Girl
Citizen
Username: Shh
Post Number: 3926
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, February 2, 2006 - 4:46 pm: |
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I would try to increase the solids. |
Lydia
Supporter
Username: Lydial
Post Number: 1641
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, February 2, 2006 - 6:13 pm: |
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I've read that normally milk production increases or decreases according to the baby's demand.
I nursed both of my girls until they were around 2 years old - around 12-18 months it was mostly comfort/habit. The first 6 months were the most intense - heavy "let-down", milk gushed out at the most awkward moments, and when I pumped I noticed the milk had a lot of fat blobs when it settled.
If your baby is healthy (a good weight, not all of the sudden fussy, still wetting/pooping the same) I wouldn't worry about milk production slowing down.
It may not be slowing down, just changing.
But if you're nervous ask a lactation consultant, everyone is different, I just have my own experience.
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doulamomma
Citizen
Username: Doulamomma
Post Number: 918
Registered: 3-2002
| | Posted on Thursday, February 2, 2006 - 6:24 pm: |
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a lot is happening around 6 months, including the introduction of solids, sleeping changes (may sleep more/nurse less at night, which can really impact supply (& fertility!)), developmental changes which can make baby interested in so much else that they might get distracted & nurse less and on & on with other changes that could be happening. I would contact a lactation person for insight...feel free to PL me for contact info for a LLL contact or you might try Lactation Resource Center (800-801-MILK).
Best,
DoulaMomma |
Pdg
Citizen
Username: Pdg
Post Number: 376
Registered: 5-2004
| | Posted on Thursday, February 2, 2006 - 6:50 pm: |
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It's been a LOOOONG time, but my advice is not to supplement. The more you supplement, the less milk you will produce.
The nursing/stimulation of the baby sucking will increase your production; the increased size/needs of your child will eventually cause your body to make the right amount of milk. Just be sure to give your body plenty of rest and fluids!
Perhaps try pumping in between feedings could help to stimulate you without the baby being frustrated by not having enough breast milk.
Keep up the good work and know that by nursing for as long as you can, you giving your child one of the greatest gifts you can give! |
ffof
Citizen
Username: Ffof
Post Number: 4455
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, February 2, 2006 - 9:37 pm: |
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Can I just say, Handygirl, that if you decide to stop breastfeeding because your supply keeps dwindling, it's actually okay. It can be very difficult to keep up production, not to mention time consuming and thus frustrating, and I am firmly in the don't-feel-guilty camp. Not every woman's body works in the same way.
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susan1014
Supporter
Username: Susan1014
Post Number: 1327
Registered: 3-2002
| | Posted on Thursday, February 2, 2006 - 11:58 pm: |
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PDG, it doesn't always work that way...some of us just aren't good at making milk, and have to supplement (my daughter was falling down the weight charts until we started supplementing). Pumping only served to prove what a dreadful milk maker I was!
However, with supplementation, and eventually solid food, we went on to have a long and happy nursing relationship |
Pdg
Citizen
Username: Pdg
Post Number: 381
Registered: 5-2004
| | Posted on Friday, February 3, 2006 - 12:04 am: |
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Of course there is no guilt - millions of children survive and grow to be amazing human beings on formula.
However, Handygirl said nothing about wanting to stop or guilty feelings - it seems she wants information from moms who have been through breastfeeding.
I nursed/pumped for my daughter for 10 months and quit my NYC job and stayed home when I was pregnant w/my son, who nursed for 14 months (tried to stop at 12 months and he didn't want to - put my foot down at 14 months.) My supply went up and down as the baby's needs changed. In general that is how it works, although there are always exceptions.
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mjh
Supporter
Username: Mjh
Post Number: 357
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Friday, February 3, 2006 - 6:47 am: |
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make sure you are well hydrated......... |
New to Maplewood
Citizen
Username: Newtomaplewood
Post Number: 27
Registered: 5-2005
| | Posted on Friday, February 3, 2006 - 7:21 am: |
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Letting your baby nurse on demand when you're home (if you have the time and patience) will usually do the job of bringing up your supply. That said, many moms prefer doing a little of both breastfeeding and formula. As far as increasing solids goes, at this age, the bulk of calories should be coming from breastmilk or formula and solids are more just for practice. Babies really need the nutrients that breastmilk or formula provides for the entire first year. |
IShep
Citizen
Username: Twinsmom
Post Number: 131
Registered: 1-2003
| | Posted on Friday, February 3, 2006 - 8:38 am: |
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At six months I would agree that getting breastmilk if you still want to breastfeed, or formula (if you don't) is more important for the baby than the solids. If breastfeeding is really important to you (women vary so much on this issue and you should definitely not feel guilty one way or the other, you've already done so great!), I recommend nursing on demand whenever you're at home with the baby.
Also, when I was nursing and starting my babies on solids I read that you should always nurse first before giving the baby solids--at least in the first year. That always helped keep my supply up and I nursed my twins for 17 months!
I also ate oatmeal every day, and drank one beer every night. My grandma suggested the one beer a night. She claimed that the beer boosted my supply, but I just think it relaxed me...which in my opinion is key in keeping up your supply! Though I worked at home, I still had to travel at least once a month for 2-3 days at a time and I was able to pull it off. |
Handygirl
Citizen
Username: Handygirl
Post Number: 572
Registered: 2-2004
| | Posted on Friday, February 3, 2006 - 9:42 am: |
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Thanks everyone. I nursed my daughter for 8 months and stopped because she was no longer interested. My son is now 6 months old and I noticed the other day that I wasn't able to pump as much during the day as I had previously been able to. Partially it was because I had a nasty stomach bug and hadn't eaten in a few days (which will do it) and partially because my milk supply had been steadily lessening over the course of the previous month. As I mentioned, I used to be able to pump 3 bottles at work, then two, now I'm lucky if I can pump 1 1/2. The same thing happened with my daughter.
And I have to supplement. I have no choice. My son drinks 4 bottles at day care every day and, as I previously mentioned, at the most, I could pump 3 bottles. When my back-up supply ran out, I had to start sending in a bottle or two of formula, which didn't really bother me too much - although had I been able to avoid it, I would have.
I haven't nursed at night in ages, he hasn't eaten at night since he was two months old or so, just during the day, but I've found that, even during the weekend there are times lately when he will nurse on both breasts and then cry and when I make him a bottle, he eats another 5 or 6 ounces! He's insatiable 
We started him on cereal a few weeks ago (he's into rice now), but he isn't so interested. Cereal probably only constitutes about 2% of what he needs currently. I'm going to start him on peas this weekend, and will continue nursing him until at least 8 months - we'll see if he wants to go longer.
Thanks again all. |
New to Maplewood
Citizen
Username: Newtomaplewood
Post Number: 28
Registered: 5-2005
| | Posted on Saturday, February 4, 2006 - 9:26 am: |
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If you're willing to use an herbal supplement, fenugreek and blessed thistle are both very safe and effective in increasing supply. I had success with both as did almost everyone I know who tried them. PL me if you'd like more info. |
amandacat
Citizen
Username: Amandacat
Post Number: 992
Registered: 8-2001
| | Posted on Saturday, February 4, 2006 - 5:22 pm: |
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Handy,
If you decide to go the fenugreek route, I have a box of fenugreek tea (minus one teabag) that you're welcome to: I bought it a few weeks ago when I had supply issues following a stomach virus, but couldn't bring myself to drink it -- I'm a real wuss when it comes to weird beverages. Luckily, my supply came back on its own in a few days, once I fully rehydrated. Anyway, PL me if you're interested . . . |
Reesa
Citizen
Username: Reesa
Post Number: 109
Registered: 7-2005
| | Posted on Saturday, February 4, 2006 - 10:54 pm: |
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the other thing to consider is that I believe the make-up of your milk changes over time. Think about how much faster your baby nurses now at 6 months compared to 3 weeks. I remember hearing that the milk almost becomes more concentrated in nutrients. My daughter is 13 months and nurses twice daily now - if I have to pump because I miss a nursing session, I barely get 4oz, where I used to get 6-8 oz. |
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