Should I be worried about a supply drop with AF return?

[katiebee18]

DS is 10.5 mo and I have some spotting so I guess my first PPAF is coming. I have noticed he is wanting to eat mroe today and yesterday as is whiny more often (because he wants to eat). I am guessing this is normal but should I do anything to keep up my supply besides just feeding him more often?

[becj86]

You can take a calcium supplement - that can help with supply.

It actually changes the taste too, so he could be a little unimpressed with that, I know L was He just hardly ate at all for the first 3 dayor so of my first couple of PP AF's then he was ok with it after that.

[eva026]

I've had 5 AFs so far and my supply drops just before and picks up the day after every time.

[Fiver]

This particular quote may be useful to you (actually, the whole article is handy!) as it gives some idea of how much calcium/magnesium supplement you may need to take (a combined supplement is best).  http://www.motherandchildhealth.com/Breastfeeding/Becky/menstruation.html

For some women, the drop in milk supply and nipple tenderness associated with menstruation becomes more of a challenge. An effective treatment for these symptoms associated with the return of periods is to add a calcium/magnesium supplement to the diet upon ovulation and continue it through the second or third day of a period. The supplement should be 1500 calcium/750 magnesium but can be as low as 500 calcium/250 magnesium (the higher the dosage the more effective and quicker the results). It should be a combination pill. This much calcium should never be taken alone. If your cycles are not regular and you do not know when you ovulate, you can take the supplement the entire month until you begin to see a pattern to your flow. This type of supplement seems to work as it prevents the drop in blood calcium levels which occurs mid-cycle and continues through the second to third day of a period. It is this drop which is associated with the nipple tenderness and drop in milk supply as well as the uterine cramping so often experienced with menstruation. You only need to take one pill a day.

[katiebee18]

Awesome, will look into Ca/Mg supplement and try hard to remember my fluids!

[katiebee18]

Do you guys remember your LO nursing like every 1 - 2 hours? This has been going on a few days but today has been the worst. 5 days into 1st PPAF. Been taking calcium/magnesium for about 3 days. Now he won't sleep! It's like he is a month old again...

[nona]

I have never noticed a problem with both of my kids. AF came around 8.5 mo with both kids.

[Fiver]

I'd wonder if there as something else going on that was making him need the comfort rather than being related to AF.  Any new teeth trying to come through?  Maybe feeling a bit under the weather?

[nona]

sorry my post not helpful but what i meant was what Amanda said - is it for comfort?

[besjoux]

Yes, my supply dipped when I got my period. Last time it returned after just 4 months. So 1 week of every month was a dip in supply. The good news is that it does come back right after. I also took the calcium magnesium combo but didn't notice a huge difference.

[katiebee18]

Fiver - I think so.  He has been so drooly and munching on his wrist (and leaving marks) since last night, plus I am feeling his teeth when he is feeding again which usually means something teething wise is happening. Also stuffy last night and took forever to get him down (again think this is related to teething). We will just have to get through it. He nursed for 40 mins yesterday after only nursing 1 hour and 20 mins before which he probably hasn't done for 7 months.

[Fiver]

Sounds like it could be the teeth bothering him, then.  Hopefully they'll come through for you soon