BF - how do I know if I'm no longer producing enough?

If your supply dips a lot & nothing you do can get it back up again, how do you know if DC is getting enough or if it’s time to introduce formula?

DS is just under 10m, eats pureed food & some table foods. During the work week he gets 2 pumped 6 oz bottles a day. I used to be able to pump enough for them + extra for his cereal. A few weeks ago I saw a dip & switched over to water in his cereal so that I just needed to pump 12 oz a day. Lately though, I’m not even getting that – I get about 8 oz total I can only pump twice at work for 10 min. each and I pump once before bed each night for 20-30 min and I’m barely getting the 12 oz I need. I’ve had to defrost some frozen milk a few times to cover, but I only have about 60 oz left in the freezer so that won’t cut it for long.

Now I’m worried about if DS is getting enough when he actually nurses or if those meals have seen a dip in production as well? He’s thinned out a bit lately, but I took him to the ped last week & he’s 90th percentile for height now so I think that’s why (he’s still 75th for weight). He’s still a very happy, good natured baby & he sleeps well (except when a tooth is on its way), so I’m pretty sure I’m worried about nothing, but wanted to see what everyone thinks. Are there any signs that I should be looking for that there’s a problem? Thanks

Re: BF - how do I know if I'm no longer producing enough?

As long as he's having wet & poopie diapers, and isn't crying in hunger, he should be okay. Baby's are more effective at getting milk out than a pump is, so he might be getting more out than you see when you pump.

Have you tried a supplement like fenugreek or More Milk Plus? I used MMP with Mother's Milk tea when my supply started to dip, and it worked wonders. (My supply dipped once AF returned, and every month when I ovulated and got AF, it would dip...so I took the supplements).

Also, try not to stress when pumping...it does affect your supply...drink lots of water! HTH

Re: BF - how do I know if I'm no longer producing enough?

I have read that after 6 months or so, pumping isn't as effective anymore so you might be pumping less b/c your breasts are growing "immune" to the pump. I could also be talking out of my @ss right now, but I do remember reading that somewhere.....

Re: BF - how do I know if I'm no longer producing enough?

Re: BF - how do I know if I'm no longer producing enough?

Re: BF - how do I know if I'm no longer producing enough?

not sure about increasing supply because my son is 9 months and i am starting to decrease - but i have realized he is cutting back on the amount he takes from a bottle - he takes a 6 oz and then a 4 oz and if he is till hungry i send another 2 oz in a sealed container and they dump into his bottle when needed- usually 2 out of 5 he drinks the extra amount


also the drinkable yo baby yougarts work really well to mix with cereal -