Less Breastmilk - help please

[Debra_Maine]

Hi everyone. My breastmilk is dwindling so much. I知 not sure why. Maybe it痴 stress or that I知 so exhausted. My question is: if I stopped pumping (I pump it out and it goes in a bottle with formula to give him enough to eat), would I get engorged at some point or will it just dry up? Everyone has said to wean when I知 ready to stop, but I知 not sure how to do that. I think at this point, it may be time to stop since my body is slowing the production and I知 getting frustrated. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

[gonza]

It was like 1 and half to 2 weeks.  It was really quick.  I would pump and it would get less and less.  The lactation nurse at the hospital told me that would happen when pumping.  She said that some pumps would make it happen quicker than others, which didnt make sense to me.  I used a pump from wal-mart that was like $40.  It worked fine for me, but I dont know if that has anything to do with how quickly i dried up.  I had no pain though.

[mimik]

i weaned, and it didnt hurt at all. However it took me a whole month to finally dry up!! Good luck

[Debra_Maine]

So how do I know when I'm dried up? No pain?

[Christie2004]

Deb,
First be sure you really WANT to stop...if you don't, then contact your local LLL for assistance.  Many women go through a period where production seems to slack off...the answer is nurse more often AND pump more often.  Be sure you are relaxed when pumping, have complete privacy, and think baby thoughts (as someone else mentioned).  There are also lots of medications that can assist in letdown and boosting production.

Pumping can be less effective than nursing, so you may think you don't have enough milk, when in fact your baby is getting plenty--it just doesn't let down or come out well when pumping.  Many, many women only get an ounce or two when pumping.  The answer isn't to stop nursing or substitute pumping--it is to nurse more often and pump more often.
If the baby seems satisfied at the breast, is gaining weight and having plenty of wet diapers--you have "enough" milk.  

More nursing, more pumping makes more milk.  If you are ready to stop, that's a different issue.  Cut down on feedings gradually and your milk production will lessen gradually.  Only you will know if and when you are ready.  

Good luck!

[cinnamonheart]

My SIL  got some kind of natural herb that suppose to let her milk come in ..She seems to have success now with breast feeding  maybe ask a doctor  if i get talking to her ill let you know

[cinnamonheart]

Here are the "natural herb" she said her doctor told her about them and it made a difference in the amount of milk she had But like all things it works with some and others not

senugreek without thyme --health food store
blessed thistle


just a thought  ...Hi Logan!

[IWantToBeAMom]

If you stop cold-turkey you will get very engorged and it will hurt like no other.  That's what I did and it was not fun.  I stopped on a Sunday, by Wednesday night I was almost in tears and said "screw it, give me my pump!" then only pumped about 1/2 oz out of each breast, then Thursday morning it was much better and was easy to dry up.  If you skip one pumping session per day for a few days then start skipping another for a few days, and do that gradually, you will dry up but it will take longer than quitting cold-turkey.

[gonza]

When I started pumping, my supply went down.  I pumped for about 2 weeks and it was completly gone.  It did not hurt as far as my boobs, but I was shocked at how quickly it dried up.

[IWantToBeAMom]

This might sound a little weird, but.....  When you are pumping you might not be thinking "baby" thoughts as much as you do when you are actually nursing your baby and your milk might not drop as well.  I was a person that pumped and then fed through a bottle because I got so incredibly sore, so I found that if I watched TV while I pumped I didn't get as much milk but if I concentrated on "baby" thoughts and looked at my son instead of TV I would get more milk because I would drop better.

[Debra_Maine]

I wanttobeamom, there is a place for a pic of your baby in the pumping bag so your theory makes sense. I have been watching t.v.

Gonza, how long did it take till it was all gone?

Thanks for the responses everyone. I appreciate it.

[Still_AndiJ]

Most pumps don't help with milk production or even keep it up, you would need ahospital grade pump to increase it or at least keep it stable.

Babies are far more effecient than any pump on the market, so if you don't want to stop, keep nursing and if baby is still hungry then offer the bottle. Christie gave excellent advice, contact either the La Leche League or any local lactation consultant. WIC has some as well as your local hospital.

Good luck!

Andrea

[cinnamonheart]

Just a note too..Its totally up to you and your decision to make
There have been some good points here to help you continue with breast feeding if thats what you want to do..I just want to make it clear Do not feel guilty by any means if you are deciding to stop.
The main thing is Logan is fed, healthy and happy.
Good luck