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What Causes Irregular Periods And Low Milk Supply During Lactation?
Hi.. I am a nursing mother to a 7 month old.. I exclusively breastfed my son for 6 months, and have started weaning foods now. I intend to nurse my son atleast till he is 2 years old. As my son just wouldn t latch, I resorted to exclusive pumping. I had a good milk supply always, and would pump close to 40 ounces a day. My LMP was 05 august 2014. Since this month, I am experiencing a sudden drop in milk supply, which is close to around 20 ounces. I did a upt yesterday, which came out negative. Not sure, but I think my messed up hormones are interfering with my milk supply. I do carry a history of irregular period, and would take regesterone 5 mg to regulate it. However, as I am a lactating mother now, don t think I can do that as it may reduce my milk supply all the more. Guess I will be advised to do a couple of pregnancy tests, however am really worried about my missing period and drop in milk supply. This would have been my third period cycle post Partum, and with earlier both cycles, I have experienced a drop in milk supply week before my menses, which automatically improved a couple of days after it stopped. Please help! The decreased supply is managing to worry me.
Tue, 26 Jul 2016
hallow dear,
I do not think there is any issue of concern. Since you have stated weaning food also to your child, he is drinking less amount of breast milk. Solid/semisolid food fills his stomach and provides longer satiety value; hence less requirement of breast milk.
Breast milk production depends upon the reflex from the empty milk ascinii to the pituitary which releases Prolactin hormone to cause milk production. Since, he is drinking less milk, the ascinii are not getting completely empty; hence reduced milk production. Moreover, stress also diminishes milk production. Shatavari (arrowroot) powder is a good medicine to increase milk production.
During lactation, there may be period of amenorrhea; when menses start, they may appear somewhat delayed.
If your baby is accepting good weaning food, you need not breastfeed him for two years exclusively. Providing whatever milk you are producing will be sufficient for him.
However, now you must be aware that since you are not exclusively breastfeeding the child, you will have to adapt some additional contraceptive method like birth control pills, condom or intrauterine device. Contraceptive pills will in addition regularise your menses too.
I hope this relieves your stress.
Dr. Nishikant Shrotri
I do not think there is any issue of concern. Since you have stated weaning food also to your child, he is drinking less amount of breast milk. Solid/semisolid food fills his stomach and provides longer satiety value; hence less requirement of breast milk.
Breast milk production depends upon the reflex from the empty milk ascinii to the pituitary which releases Prolactin hormone to cause milk production. Since, he is drinking less milk, the ascinii are not getting completely empty; hence reduced milk production. Moreover, stress also diminishes milk production. Shatavari (arrowroot) powder is a good medicine to increase milk production.
During lactation, there may be period of amenorrhea; when menses start, they may appear somewhat delayed.
If your baby is accepting good weaning food, you need not breastfeed him for two years exclusively. Providing whatever milk you are producing will be sufficient for him.
However, now you must be aware that since you are not exclusively breastfeeding the child, you will have to adapt some additional contraceptive method like birth control pills, condom or intrauterine device. Contraceptive pills will in addition regularise your menses too.
I hope this relieves your stress.
Dr. Nishikant Shrotri
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