QUESTION: I had a 3-day weekend home with my 9-month-old daughter, at which time she had her first stuffy nose, and it was hard to nurse. She did nurse, but not as much as usual. I work, and have been very successful at pumping, and having plenty of milk, but when I went back to work this Monday - after the long weekend, my milk supply was about half of what it was before. I am trying to pump more, and I nursed more last night, but today, it is still a little less than half of what I have been getting for months. I would hate to think that I have made it this far, and will have to consider formula now. Is there something that I can do to increase my milk flow?

Congratulations on a job well done. It is very commendable that you have breastfed for nine months while working. That is no small thing! 

It will probably take you about 3-5 days to start seeing an increase in your milk supply. You are doing the right thing by pumping and feeding more often.  You just can't expect to see results the next day. No, you do not have to consider formula now. I assume your baby is eating some solids. The formula companies have done a supreme job in making people believe that their babies need to go to formula if mothers wean during the first year. That is just not true. According to Dr. Jack Newman (see his articles on breastfeeding at www.erols.com/cindyrn/drjack0.htm), if your baby is eating meat, then she is getting the protein she needs. You have done a great job--trust your body, keep pumping and feeding, and I am sure you will see your supply come back up.

Cher Sealy, RN, BSN, IBCLC, LLLL

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