[BebeClemons]

I have been EPing since my son was eight weeks because we just couldn't get a good latch going.  I was tired of hurting all the time, and he was getting frustrated with all the "corrections," so I quit nursing altogether and we have both been happier since!  I was getting 40oz a day for months, then when he was four months old, AF came back.  I was down to three pumps a day at that point.  My supply dropped, but I remembered reading that it should only be for a few days so I gave it time.  After a week, it still wasn't back to "normal," so I added back a pumping session, putting me at 4 pumps a day.  Over the next few weeks, not only did I not get my production back up, it kept dropping!  A week ago I added another pump back in, and it still keeps dropping.  My son is now 6 1/2 months and I am down to getting a whole 15oz a day.  I have been making up the difference with my freezer stash all this time, but that will be gone by the end of the week.  I am not on any birth control or any new medication.  It's just baffling to me that I have not changed anything, except ADDING pumps, and I have lost so much of my supply.

Now for my question:  Is it possible that I have a hormonal imbalance that is causing this?  I have PCOS, which has caused me to be imbalanced in the past, resulting in irregular periods and difficulty conceiving.  My periods have not been irregular since it has returned, but that may or may not mean I am still balanced.  I'm going to try power pumping and Fenugreek, and probably add yet another pump back, but if it's hormonally caused I don't know if any of that will even help.  Anyone have any experience with such a thing?

Danielle

[BebeClemons]

I have been EPing since my son was eight weeks because we just couldn't get a good latch going.  I was tired of hurting all the time, and he was getting frustrated with all the "corrections," so I quit nursing altogether and we have both been happier since!  I was getting 40oz a day for months, then when he was four months old, AF came back.  I was down to three pumps a day at that point.  My supply dropped, but I remembered reading that it should only be for a few days so I gave it time.  After a week, it still wasn't back to "normal," so I added back a pumping session, putting me at 4 pumps a day.  Over the next few weeks, not only did I not get my production back up, it kept dropping!  A week ago I added another pump back in, and it still keeps dropping.  My son is now 6 1/2 months and I am down to getting a whole 15oz a day.  I have been making up the difference with my freezer stash all this time, but that will be gone by the end of the week.  I am not on any birth control or any new medication.  It's just baffling to me that I have not changed anything, except ADDING pumps, and I have lost so much of my supply.

Now for my question:  Is it possible that I have a hormonal imbalance that is causing this?  I have PCOS, which has caused me to be imbalanced in the past, resulting in irregular periods and difficulty conceiving.  My periods have not been irregular since it has returned, but that may or may not mean I am still balanced.  I'm going to try power pumping and Fenugreek, and probably add yet another pump back, but if it's hormonally caused I don't know if any of that will even help.  Anyone have any experience with such a thing?

Danielle

[nst315]

I don't know the answer to your question, but you might try talking to your doctor.  You may be a good candidate for one of the prescription medications that can help with milk supply, Domperidone or Reglan.

It could also be that you dropped pumps too soon.  Did you wait until 12 weeks post partum before you dropped below 8 pumps a day?

[BebeClemons]

I was never at 8 pumps a day.  I didn't start EPing til 8 weeks post partum, and I just pumped every time he normally ate, which was only 6 times a day.  I was making more than enough, freezing 1-2 bottles a day, I never felt the need to increase pumps until my supply started dropping, which was a whole 2 1/2 months after I started EPing.  I have also changed parts on my pump, so I know that's not it.  I did some Googling after I posted and found that there IS a connection between PCOS and low supply, so I am going to see my doctor.  Hopefully she can prescribe me something.  I will update if anything is helpful!

[akhtarsa]

Reduced milk volume between 4 and 6 months is normal. At some point during this time, the actual composition of the breast milk changes. The milk becomes more concentrated so that a smaller volume (# of ounces) will still provide your child with the appropriate fats, protein, carbs and nutrients.

I thought that I was loosing my supply when this happened to me at 5.5 months and called the IBCLC I had worked with in a panic. She said some reduction in volume at this point is totally normal and is the 2nd most common reason she gets calls for help from moms (#1 is moms initially learning to BF in the immediate post partum period).

Your supply is supposed to regulate at certain points and this could very well be one of those points. PCOS can affect supply but doesn't necessarily. My college roommate had PCOS and she BF'd both of her kids to 1 year without drama. Also, one of my coworkers breastfed with PCOS. It won't be the same for all, but in the circumstance you are describing I wouldn't automatically assume that this is PCOS or even that it is a problem. It could just be a normal change in the milk production that happens to everyone. However, moms who aren't pumping all the time don't even notice because they are feeding directly. Just MHO.

[Rlrinke]

I would definitely go to your doc... I'm not at 6 months yet (just 11 weeks) but my AF returned at 5 weeks PP, and all but wiped out my supply. I've been EPing since day once because my DD was 9 weeks early, and a NICU baby. In the beginning, I averaged 30-35 oz/day, after AF, 10-15 oz/day. I, too, have PCOS. My doc explained that I may be over-producing the hormone dopamine (sp?) Which blocks prolactin production. She put me on Reglan, and it got me to 23 oz/day at the highest, but couldn't maintain it. Next we tried Domperidone, which has been my LIFESAVER! Both Reglan and domperidone work by blocking the production of dopamine, thus stimulating prolactin to be made, which results in more milk being made. I'm now averaging 25-30 oz/day,.which allows me enough to feed LO, and freeze some. I go off the dom in 3 days, we'll see if my supply dips again... Otherwise I will end up buying it online- it's expensive here.