9 weeks pregnant and milk supply seems to be dropping.

Im almost 9 weeks pregnant and my milk has started turning yellow and is tasting much saltier. I also couldnt really hand express more than a few drops in the shower today, which I know isnt a good indicator but I can usually get a bit of a squirt happening :lol:
This has happened before when I stopped feeding from one side due to a contagious rash. At that time I was told it was weaning milk, so I am thinking it is the same again?

Is there anything I can do to save my supply? Or is this likely the begining of the end?

I tried to get DS to have an extra feed in the shower this morning but after a couple of sucks he wasnt really interested.
I was thinking Id ask a friend to bake some Lactation Cookies for me (as I have no oven) but if its not going to help I wont bother her.

Hey Calluna,

Many women find their milk supply changes during pregnancy - the hormonal changes can make the milk taste different, or decrease in supply a bit, or it might not have any affect. The best way to maintain your supply is to get DS to feed a bit more, but it sounds like he isn't interested?

He may wean - some kiddies decide that's it for them, when mum's milk changes, but then decide to start feeding again when the baby arrives. So it could be the beginning of the end but it could also not be! FWIW, I haven't heard of "weaning milk" so not too sure about that one.

As for lactation cookies - they actually work better if you eat the raw cookie dough, apparently! Don't let the lack of oven put you off :)

Just wanted to say 'me too'. By 6 weeks my supply plummeted and my booby-addict quickly lost interest and started asking for a cup of milk like his sister. TBH, I think it hurt me more than it hurt him. I wasn't ready for him to wean, but once he realised there wasn't much there, he just kinda got 'over' it with no apparent stress or upset. He's still super cuddly and shoves his hand down my top, so I think he's maintaining his relationship with my boobs :)

My GP is pretty well versed on lactation (I know, weird, huh?!) and said that she didn't think there was a whole lot I could do except stay as well rested as possible (ha) and feed him often. As it turned out, neither were overly feasible and at 9 weeks, there's nothing but a bit of colostrum there.

Hoping you find a solution... or peace in the process. xox

Just a note about lactation biscuits - they don't recommend eating raw when preg due to the egg in it.

I cant remember if thats what it was called OP, but something like it. Something about being higher in nutrients and antibodies to give them a final boost before ending the bf relatiinship. Or something.

I had read that cookie dough was good raw, but like aligater said, I wasnt sure about the egg. I guess I could leave it out...

:hug: Santosha. I thought I would be fine with it considering hes nearly 4 and I was feeling very touched out pre pregnancy, but now the idea of it is making me sad. I think because I always wanted him to decide and its not his decision if my supply is inadequate.

I agree about the lac cookies. It's the brewers yeast, oats and linseed meal that makes it what it is. So buy those and go crazy. You could have oats for breakfast with the brewers yeast and linseed meal mixed in, I did this a few times. You'll need to add honey or something to it because brewers yeast is a bit bitter. Good luck :) Hope your supply picks up!

I don't think there's much you can do tbh. My milk started going quite quickly, it dropped significantly by about 5-6 weeks and dried up completely by about 16 weeks. I tried everything, syrups and pills, cookies and even Motilium. I rang the ABA, spoke to a MCHN, and was told by everyone that the only thing you can really do is feed as often as possible, and that other remedies were Isley to work because the milk drying up is driven hormonally by the pregnancy. DD1 was feeding 10+ times a night and 2-3 hourly during the day (she was 9.5 months old when I fell pregnant) and it still dried up. But then, many women feed through pregnancy as well. I really struggled with it and so did DD1, it wasn't a pleasant end to our breastfeeding relationship unfortunately. She did hit a stage where she 'got over' it though, but the first few weeks were tough for her when she wanted milk but couldn't get much.

I'm another in the "me too" camp. My supply dropped quite rapidly and I developed an aversion to the sensation of DS sucking. He was a little put out for a couple of weeks, but now barely notices and has a cup of cow's milk before bed instead now. He's 16 months, which was longer than I'd originally planned so am pretty well fine with it.

I've breastfed through two pregnancies and all three of my kids are still breastfeeding, so sometimes it's definitely possible to get through. It would be dependant on the individual woman though as well as the child. My supply definitely dropped and for a few months in the middle of the pregnancy I found breastfeeding excruciating. We pushed through it through.

To boost my supply I fed often, took capsules with blessed thistle and fenugreek in them, lactation cookies, porridge (for the oats) and occasionally would take a maxolon tablet if I felt especially lacking in milk (I had some left over at home).

Best of luck!!! ♥

There’s nothing more natural in the world than one child weaning when another baby comes along. You have breastfed long and well, and you should be very proud of it. All the little threads of your son’s life are coming together. he’s a big boy now - right in the normal age range for weaning, he’s going to be a big brother. It’s his choice. You can’t hold them back, even though it’s normal to mourn that stage of life. You are a mum after all. Having said that, many kids, including mine! sailed right through pregnancy and onto tandem nursing. Things that aim to increase your prolactin levels like maxalon, domperidone and fenugreek won’t work. The progesterone that supports pregnancy suppresses lactation - and the process is working well. For breastfeeding kids at this age and stage it’s not about the milk. Just because they ask for a drink in a sippy cup doesn’t mean they don’t still need mum!

I'd forgotten about the eggs! I'm sure you'd be able to substitute, if you were that keen.

Calluna, it actually sounds like he may have come to his natural end. If he were really keen he'd be wanting to feed more and getting upset that there was nothing there. It might just be his time :)

Many mums are sad, I know I was! :hug:

But don't forget he might still change his mind ;)

my DD was only having 1 feed by that stage, and I was able to feed through the pregnancy and am tandem feeding now. I had MASSIVE aversion issues, but pushed through it, DD didnt seem to mind either way

Hi ladies, thanks for all the replies. I have been reading but Im struggling to reply without feeling like Im going to hurl.

He bit/grazed my right nipple last night and it is so sore I had to make him only have the left overnight and tonight, he was most upset that I wouldnt let him play with it while he fed either and out of protest almost went to sleep with no boobies at all. Almost. ;)

He is down to a bedtime feed and a very early morning feed. Normally he would take any offerings during the day though, if I let hIm. Havent had the chance to offer during the day again yet, but will try again next home day.

I dont want to hold him back or keep him feeding if he is ready to move on, I guess I just feel like because it was my choice to have another baby, that my choices have forced him to wean, if he does.

I will force myself to continue through any pain/ aversions, I have before so I dont see this being any different. I just want to make sure I give us the best chance of getting through it if thats what DS wants.

So the cookies wont do anything either then? Just feed as often as possible and hope for the best?

I'm sure I noticed a boost in my milk when I was taking things like fenugreek and blessed thistle, and eating the lactation cookies. Perhaps it was all psychological, but at the time I felt it was helping :)

I sympathise with you pain with a bitten breast, lol. One of my girls managed to puncture my areola recently and it was right where their teeth would rub when they were latched. It was excruciating. It was almost al painful as breastfeeding when I was pregnant. We ended up doing breastfeeding-gymnastics so that they were in odd positions and their teeth didn't grate on the wound. It still took more than 2 weeks to heal because it kept opening each time they fed. I hope you heal up faster than me!

I'm sure I noticed a boost in my milk when I was taking things like fenugreek and blessed thistle, and eating the lactation cookies. Perhaps it was all psychological, but at the time I felt it was helping :)

I sympathise with you pain with a bitten breast, lol. One of my girls managed to puncture my areola recently and it was right where their teeth would rub when they were latched. It was excruciating. It was almost al painful as breastfeeding when I was pregnant. We ended up doing breastfeeding-gymnastics so that they were in odd positions and their teeth didn't grate on the wound. It still took more than 2 weeks to heal because it kept opening each time they fed. I hope you heal up faster than me!

Its all healed now. Was just a tiny graze, but boy did it hurt! Dont even want to imagine a punture wound! OW!
Maybe Ill give it a go then, cant hurt and Ive heard they're yummy. Haha

Hi,

it’s only in the very recent history that we women have gotten to ‘decide to have another baby.” Generally women got pregnant when their fertility returned, and the previous baby weaned or kept feeding regardless. It’s really normal and natural to have another baby at this point - and the best gift you cold give your DS

Thanks Barb. I hope he sees it the same way. Lol hes not too keen on his little cousin.

Tried the cookies. No affect at all. And they are not helping the morning sickness.
Milk is thicker and can barely get a tiny drop out of my right and not much more from the left. It also kind of looks like there is a small amout of colostrum. I wasnt expecting that so soon but would not be entirely suprised as I started leaking small amounts at about 14w with DS.

My little boy is one step closer to weaning. He keeps biting me when he's fallen asleep and slips off a little, it hurts like a red hot poker in the eyeball. So tonight I let him get almost asleep before detatching him and after a quick explaination and a cuddle he was out. That plus the minimal supply in my right breast and not much more in the left, our breastfeeding days appear to be numbered. Glad he was ok with it, but sad we are getting closer to the end.

Gentle hugs :hug: Many mums feel sad when their LO weans, perfectly normal. It sounds like you've done everything you can to try and keep that supply up... It just might be the time for your breast feeding relationship to end. Three years is such an achievement! It sounds like he was content with cuddles with mum :)

Be kind to yourself xx

I never expressed to see what was there or not. I know my supply dropped hugely in first tri, and then any time DD fed less it was really difficult to get back to the previous milk level. I just kept offering working on the theory that if she was keen, and didn't lose the ability to feed, she would be ok once the milk came back in. Due to pain and aversion, (and low supply) at one point i was offering cow milk and then a breastfeed to help dd to sleep. (cos i had always fed to sleep, and there just wasn't enough milk to get her there).

There are two of you in the relationship, and if you are keen, all you can do is keep offering. It is up to your little one whether he wants to continue and how and for how long. It does sound like he is coping ok with the changes, which hopefully makes it a bit easier for you.