returned to work milk supply down

[Mimzy3]

I just returned to work last week. My baby is 14 weeks old and EBF. I send him to daycare with four, 4oz bottles and most of the time he will only drink 3 of the bottles and I BF him when I pick him up.

Last week I would pump after his last feed in the mornings and get around 6oz, then twice at work getting between 4-5oz's each pump session. This week my supply has dropped I only got 4oz this morning and then barely 4oz at my other two pumping sessions.

I've starting taking Fenugreek 4 capsules 2-3 times a day and pumping longer. Is my dip most like because I'm back at work? Anything else I should be doing? I'm making just enough for him now and that scares me. I liked a couple ounces of cushion.

thanks

 

[RaquelDee]

If you offer more frequent feeds when you are with him, your supply might boost back up. Perhaps try fitting in an extra feed in the morning before dropping him off, and feeding more frequently on weekends. It shouldn't matter whether or not he drinks a whole lot, just getting the baby to stimulate let-down more often can send the right signals to increase supply.

 

[mara16jade]

Returning to work is so hard when you bf. Pumping, for me, was hard at first and there were days my supply was so low. Fenugreek, mothers milk tea, lots of water and lactation cookies is what I did. And pumping every 2.5 hrs.

Good luck. I'm sure after another week your body will adjust to the new routine. And if AF arrives, be prepared for possible low supply around ovulation. That was the worst for me. But it all turned out ok...and we're still bf'ing at bedtime.

 

[Mimzy3]

Thank you ladies. I've increased my pumping. Now pump 3-4 times a day and started to eat oatmeal in the mornings and take "more milk plus" pills.

Raquel good to know about the baby just needing to stimulate a let down. I have been letting him comfort suck as much as he wants in the evenings and on the weekends and I will feel myself let down every so often. Sometimes he will pull off because he doesn't want the milk just wants to suck but its good to know its still telling my body to make more.

 

[mazzycat]

Ugh, this happened when I returned to work too. I always keep a stash of lactation cookies at hand and try to increase the minutes of my pumping sessions whenever I have a low supply. Sometimes eating popcorn would do the trick!

 

[Mimzy3]

didn't know popcorn helped! Good to know and I love popcorn