Increasing milk supply at 13mo?

[Vinimamae]

Hi all,

Yesterday I had a pretty solid confirmation that I'm no longer producing enough milk for my 13mo.  He's been sleeping very badly the past few days, and I tried giving him a bottle after I nursed him at night (which I never did, he only ever took bottles if I wasn't home) and he chugged it down and slept like a champ.  This was pretty brutal for me because, as much as I'm looking forward to my days of boob freedom, I love nursing my little man. 

Am I wrong?  Does this really mean that my supply is almost gone? 

Is it worth trying to get it back now?  I know this is a personal question more than anything, but if I can build it back up, i think I'd give it a try, but if I learn that supply can't go back that much at this age, I'll just let it go. 

Many thanks!

[*Ali*]

Hugs. No I don't think it has yo mean your supply is almost gone. Most BF LOs will take a bottle after a BF even if not hungry because it is just so easy and readily available.

How many breast feeds is he having in the day and night now? Does he have 3 solid meals plus snacks? He should be able to get most of the nutrition from solid foods if he eats a balanced diet so I wouldn't start giving formula now if that was what was in the bottle.

This FAQ has some great advice for increasing supply Relactation: I stopped nursing, but regret my decision. Can I start again?

[Vinimamae]

Hi Ali!

Thanks for the reply.  So I try to breastfeed tons when I'm at home, so, at least 3 days per week, he'll nurse once (sometimes twice) in the morning, one after his lunch or nap, one in the late afternoon, and right before bed.  Plus at least once in the middle of the night (he still doesn't sleep through).  But his nursing is super quick, I think they're mostly snacks.  The only longer-ish nursing sessions are at wake up, right before bed and in the middle of the night.  When I'm at work, I am no longer pumping.  I know that's horrible, but after almost 12 months of the pump, I'm kind of over it.  I could be convinced to try pumping again if it'll make a huge difference.  I just hate it!  I love nursing, but I absolutely hate, hate, hate the pump! 

As far as eating, he does eat 3 meals and a couple of snacks.  He's not a huge eater, not like he's scarfing down his plates.  In fact, I'd say eating is pretty tough around here.  I'm also trying to get him to take whole milk because my freezer stash of breastmilk is almost done, but he hates regular milk! 

[*Ali*]

Feeding is the best way to increase supply so I would just keep doing what you are doing and not worry about pumping. Cows milk doesn't have the same nutritional value as breast milk so I wouldn't worry if he doesn't drink that. I would keep offering when you aren't there but otherwise just offer water and maybe even a bit of very diluted fruit juice if you think he needs more fluids. Have you tried warm milk? My kids love pretending they have coffee or tea like mama and nana by having warm milk. I know some people even put a touch of hot chocolate powder or vanilla in it if they are worried LO isn't getting enough calcium or fats from other sources and really want LO to take the milk. Then they reduce the amount back until it is straight milk. Cheese and yogurt are just as good as milk too so if you can incorporate those into his diet then you can worry about milk even less.

[Aapppffff]

Hi there

Get your hands on a book called "Mother Food":  it's an excellent resource for easterner if mums and all girls you Lots more info on food etc to eat or avoid to increase you supply   

The website is http://www.mother-food.com/#2637

A x