Can't tell if my milk supply is dropping - or he needs less

I'm getting worried my supply is dropping - but I drink TONS of water, eat oatmeal and drink Mother's Milk tea recently in an effort to maintain my supply.

Could it be a dip or is it b/c Ryan is getting older and needs less milk from me?

I usually pump 5x/day when I work.
I typically got -
a.m. - 12-15 oz
3x/day at work - 5-6oz each time
before bed -4oz tops

NOW, I get:
a.m. 10oz
3x/day work - 4oz per session (if I'm lucky)
before bed - 3-4oz

Ryan's eating schedule is:
A.M. nurse (about 30-minutes after I pump)
4 - 6oz bottles when I'm at work (some used for cereal/sometimes he leaves an ounce or more)
nurse before bed (but only for a few minutes - I feel like this is more comfort then a feeding)

Any thoughts? HELP! He's almost 7.5 months and at this point I really want to nurse until he transitions to whole milk at a year.

Re: Can't tell if my milk supply is dropping - or he needs less

Are you due for af or O. I notice a drop at those times. Also have you changed the valves in your pump recently. It may be suction issues. My ds is almost 10 months old. He eats everything but still nurses day and night. I notices a drop at about 8 months. It never recovered but we are still going strong. So I would check the valves and the calendar. If it's not those then it may just be he is demanding less so you produce less. Sorry I am not much help. good luck

Re: Can't tell if my milk supply is dropping - or he needs less

I think it may be 2 things. 1. It seems like he probably needs less because he is getting solids. My DD is also 7.5 mos and drinks at most 28oz a day, and 2. I found that pumping so much decreased my overall supply. Once I went back to work my supply decreased even though I was pumping more often at work than she was even eating. The amount in each session just got less and less. Eventually I didn't pump and bring home as much as I was sending to daycare. Once my frozen supply ran out, I moved on to formula and weaned completely because my supply took a real nose dive at that point.

Re: Can't tell if my milk supply is dropping - or he needs less

I'm due for AF in a wk so I think it's too far from O and too early for it to be effected by AF.

My concern is that pumping has started to take its toll. I've been back to work FT since 9/15.

My pump/apparatus seems fine.

Right now I'm still producing what he eats - but I'm stressed it won't last (and that can't help).

I do have a large freezer stash (500oz +) but I know if he self weans due to my lack of production that won't last long enough to get him to whole milk

Re: Can't tell if my milk supply is dropping - or he needs less

It doesn't make sense to me Jessee b/c you are mostly pumping, so the demand is pretty much the same except when he is nursing.

You said you recently changed hoses, then did you have to change the horns and all? I was thinking that maybe the LC would have the old hoses you were using so it wouldn't be a big change. But if not, maybe the new stuff is not as efficient?

My supply took a nosedive when I went back to work, but you've been back to work for a while now, so it just doesn't sound right.

Wish I could help more.
Bless you that you get so much from pumping still! Megan's been on 50% formula for 3 months now...

Re: Can't tell if my milk supply is dropping - or he needs less