Why does milk "dry up?"

EarthMama · Apr 10th, 2012, 02:27 AM

I've heard some mama's say that their milk "dried up" around 4 months, or something...

what causes milk to dry up? Makes me anxious

patch2006uk · Apr 10th, 2012, 02:33 AM

I think alot of women who claim their milk suddenly 'dried up' have actually just misread their baby's behaviour during a growth spurt as starvation. Milk doesn't just dry up as long as mom is healthy and baby is feeding regularly.

Milk supply drops for most women during pregnancy, as the milk changes back into colostrum. Severe illness and dehydration may also lead to a reduction in supply. There are claims that stress can affect supply, but given that women have fed through world wars and famines, I think it would have to be pretty serious trauma.

Your milk supply is pretty robust after the first couple of months.

Lauki · Apr 10th, 2012, 03:57 AM

The only time my milk supply dropped was during a sickness bug when my body got rid off all the fluids in my body. But that problem was sorted pretty quickly by just letting S feed for as often and as long as she would for a couple of days.

In the first few months there soooo much growing going on with your LO, there's growth spurts and all sorts. It might seem as your LO isn't satisfied, but all they're doing is just bringing up your milk supply for time to come. Just keep an eye on weight gain and nappies!

TigerLady · Apr 10th, 2012, 09:43 AM

This.

Quote:

Originally Posted by patch2006uk

I think alot of women who claim their milk suddenly 'dried up' have actually just misread their baby's behaviour during a growth spurt as starvation. Milk doesn't just dry up as long as mom is healthy and baby is feeding regularly.

Milk supply drops for most women during pregnancy, as the milk changes back into colostrum. Severe illness and dehydration may also lead to a reduction in supply. There are claims that stress can affect supply, but given that women have fed through world wars and famines, I think it would have to be pretty serious trauma.

Your milk supply is pretty robust after the first couple of months.

It doesn't dry up. There might be the very rare case with very special circumstances. But most of the women that say that didn't understand what was really going on.

Your supply will regulate even further around that time. In addition, there is a big growth spurt around 4-5 months and baby will often feed like mad and act like they aren't getting enough. Combine that with your boobs no longer feeling full between feeds, leaking less, etc. and moms tend to think they've dried up. They haven't.

I wouldn't worry about it.

kerrie24 · Apr 10th, 2012, 12:39 PM

It dries up when you have weaned your baby.
If you are breastfeeding then it doesnt just disappear one day.A lot of women say theirs did,but it really cant,they probably thought baby was feeding too often and there must be no milk or they expressed for 10 mins and didnt get much out,niether of these are an indication that youve dried up.Dont worry x

Apr 10th, 2012, 02:27 AM	#1
EarthMama Mum (Mom) Chat Happy BnB Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Kapoho, Hawaii Posts: 1,699	Why does milk "dry up?" I've heard some mama's say that their milk "dried up" around 4 months, or something... what causes milk to dry up? Makes me anxious

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Apr 10th, 2012, 02:33 AM	#2
patch2006uk Mum (Mom) BnB Addict Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: West Mids, UK Posts: 5,220	I think alot of women who claim their milk suddenly 'dried up' have actually just misread their baby's behaviour during a growth spurt as starvation. Milk doesn't just dry up as long as mom is healthy and baby is feeding regularly. Milk supply drops for most women during pregnancy, as the milk changes back into colostrum. Severe illness and dehydration may also lead to a reduction in supply. There are claims that stress can affect supply, but given that women have fed through world wars and famines, I think it would have to be pretty serious trauma. Your milk supply is pretty robust after the first couple of months.

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Apr 10th, 2012, 03:57 AM	#3
Lauki Mum (Mom) BnB Addict Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Rugby, UK Posts: 4,737	The only time my milk supply dropped was during a sickness bug when my body got rid off all the fluids in my body. But that problem was sorted pretty quickly by just letting S feed for as often and as long as she would for a couple of days. In the first few months there soooo much growing going on with your LO, there's growth spurts and all sorts. It might seem as your LO isn't satisfied, but all they're doing is just bringing up your milk supply for time to come. Just keep an eye on weight gain and nappies!

Status: Offline

Apr 10th, 2012, 12:39 PM	#5
kerrie24 Mum (Mom) BnB Addict Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: uk Posts: 6,023	It dries up when you have weaned your baby. If you are breastfeeding then it doesnt just disappear one day.A lot of women say theirs did,but it really cant,they probably thought baby was feeding too often and there must be no milk or they expressed for 10 mins and didnt get much out,niether of these are an indication that youve dried up.Dont worry x

Status: Offline

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