Breastfeeding, ovulation and supply?
TIA!
Answer:
It's the opposite actually, you're ovulating because of the decrease in milk supply.
Supplementing with formula will contribute to the loss of milk.
Try pumping a little more often to try to bring the milk back up. BF as often as possible when you're with your son, even if it's just a sip. When you pump, think of your baby, and you can even try looking at a picture of him. Pump in between feedings. If none of that works, you can go to your doc and get a drug called Reglan to increase your supply. I've had to use it, it works great and I didn't have any side effects.
There's tons of info about this stuff at
http://www.lalecheleague.org/bfinfo.html...
http://kellymom.com/
Some women experience a drop in milk supply from ovulation (mid-cycle) until the first day or two of the next menstrual period. A woman's blood calcium levels gradually decrease during this period of time, and for some women the drop in blood calcium causes a drop in milk supply.
For women who have this problem, calcium/magnesium supplements may be helpful. This practice has also been reported to eliminate most uterine cramping and some premenstrual discomfort such as water retention.
The recommended calcium supplement dosage is between 500 mg calcium/250 mg magnesium and 1500 mg calcium/750 mg magnesium (the higher dosage is generally more effective). Calcium dosages this high should not be taken alone, but as a calcium/magnesium (or calcium/magnesium/zinc) combination. Otherwise the calcium will not be adequately absorbed into your body. The amount of supplement depends on the composition of your diet -- the more animal protein, the more calcium/magnesium needed. If you are a vegetarian or vegan, the lower dosage may work fine for you.
Start the supplement when you ovulate, and continue through the first few days of your menstrual period. If periods are irregular, then begin calcium/magnesium at 14 days after the beginning of your last menstrual cycle, or simply take the supplement every day.
Try to add a pumping session during the day to stimulate production, drink (and I mean DRINK) plenty of water, and you may want to consider taking a combination of blessed thistle and fenugreek for a few days if you think your supply is low.
Sounds like you indeed are ovulating. And yes, it is possible. Use contraception if you're not planning to get pregnant. I would schedule a OB/GYN appointment just for a good checkup, to make sure there's no reason to worry about things like cysts, etc. And keep pumping, pumping, pumping! For me, taking Fenugreek and Blessed Thistle capsules (sold in health food stores) also helped boosting my milk supply very quickly and efficiently (they worked, literally, within 24 hours).
Ovulation is a sign of a decrease in milk supply. Some women who pump actually lose their milk quicker. I would talk to your pediatrician about this and see if there is anything they suggst you do differently.
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