Breast milk drying up

[DollChina]

My baby Gavin turned 12 weeks on Sunday and I have been back to work since he was 8 weeks old.  I have noticed I am getting less milk when I pump at work the last couple weeks, maybe an ounce less.  I am only able to get 4 ounces at a time.  Do you think I should supplement?  I am under a lot of stress but I do drink a lot of water.  Any advise?  He is gaining weight so please tell me what I should so.
Dolly
P.S. I am posting some new pics on YAhoo!

[girlybuff]

If he's gaining weight and you want to continue to exclusively feed him breast milk, I wouldn't supplement just yet.  It's not necessary.
I think stress has a lot to do with it. Maybe your body is still adjusting to your new schedule.
Keep pumping and drinking water.  Also, I would pump immediately after the baby nurses this way yur body kows to produce more milk.
Good luck!

[AndiJ78]

What kind of pump are you using? Many pumps that can be purchased in the stores for under $100 are not capable of keeping up your milk supply, they simply help you drain the breast. Perhaps look into renting a hospital grade pump to take to work. Supplementing will only make your supply lower, so if all signs indicate he is still doing well and you want to continue breastfeeding, avoid supplementing.

Andi

[DollChina]

Hey girl, what's up, how's your baby?
I am using Medela Pump in Style, so I think my pump is working just fine.  Gavin is thriving but I am just paranoid about how many ozs I get when I pump.  I feel like I can always give him more if he will eat it.  
I am not sure when I should wean him but my stress is not helping.  I just thought we will be happier if I don't stress about nursing.....
Dolly

[mum2beagain]

Make sure you eat plenty too, I had a long day Sunday and didn't have a great deal to eat, when I came to feed Sam in the evening he kept pulling away from the breast and crying(I have had a few issues lately but we are getting through them now). I gave him a bottle of expressed milk that I had stored and then went off to pump, I only had about 1/3 of the milk I normally have when I have pumped before so no wonder he was angry; he wasn't getting his milk as easily as he normally does! I am sure it was because I hadn't eaten very well as I had still drunk plenty as I always take water with me everywhere. I now make sure I always have a snack in the afternoon making sure it has protien and carbs in it. Remember you still need an extra 500 calories a day when breastfeeding.
As for weaning it is entirely your decision, you do what is right for you and Gavin. Best wishes. Jo.

[mothertomarymargaret]

i went back to work after my daughter was 8 weeks. i rented a hospital grade pump and it worked fabulously. after pumping for a few weeks, a good friend was going to let me use her brand new medela pump. i tried it for 2 days and immediately noticed a diminishing mild supply. i switched back to the hospital pump and all was well in about 2 days. there is just something about a hospital grade pump. i ended up nursing for 14 months....a truly rewarding experience. i pumped 3 times per day for almost 6 months.

[mothertomarymargaret]

also continue drinking lots of water. it will help. i think i drank around 100 oz per day.

[myproblem]

At home, does he feed from the breast? If so, pump before you breastfeed him. The pump will get out the easy portion, and he will get the fattier, more filling hind milk that the pump can't get very well. If you do this for your home feedings for a couple of weeks, it will boost your milk supply, and give you more to store.

[Facere23]

I was able to start to get my milk supply back by pumping in shorter, more frequent sessions.  Combined with feedings, it took about a week.  Good luck.