The Twelve Week Milk Supply Dip

12 Week Milk Supply Dip
The 12-week milk supply dip is a common challenge that many breastfeeding mothers face.  The difficulties of establishing and maintaining a milk supply during the early postpartum period is so common.

New mothers often have a well-laid plan to establish breastfeeding and build up a stash of pumped milk for when they return to work. However, they soon realize that their baby needs to eat between 8 and 12 times a day or more, leaving little time for pumping and other tasks. Despite their efforts to establish pumping and milk supply, they may experience a sudden dip in supply around the 12-week mark.

The reasons behind this? The 12-week milk supply dip. Milk supply is initially controlled by hormones, specifically prolactin, which starts creating milk in the early weeks of pregnancy. However, during pregnancy, high levels of estrogen and progesterone suppress prolactin. It is only after the delivery of the placenta that these pregnancy hormones drop, allowing prolactin to rise and milk to be released.

After the initial hormonal control, milk supply transitions to autocrine control, which is based on supply and demand. This transition does not happen overnight but occurs gradually over time. Around the 12-week mark, the transition from hormonal control to autocrine control is complete, and the body provides milk based on how much milk is being removed.

There are various factors that can contribute to the drop in milk supply around the 12-week period. One factor is the change in breastfeeding patterns, such as longer stretches of sleep at night or not removing milk in the middle of the night. The body adjusts to these patterns and downregulates milk production accordingly.

The 12-week milk supply dip is a common challenge faced by breastfeeding mothers. It occurs as the transition from hormonal control to autocrine control takes place, resulting in milk production being based on supply and demand. Understanding the reasons behind this dip can help mothers prevent or address it effectively.

Maintain Consistent Feeding for Milk Supply

One reason for the drop in milk supply is the lack of consistent feeding. Busy parents, especially those with multiple responsibilities, often struggle to find time to put meals on the table. This can lead to irregular feeding schedules for both the mother and the baby. To alleviate this burden, there are services like https://www.feastandfettle.com/ that offer meal delivery options. Use my code MILK to get $30 off your first order.

Another factor that contributes to the decrease in milk supply is sleep training. While sleep training may be necessary for the parents' health and well-being, it doesn't align with the biological norms of breastfeeding. Our ancestors evolved in large social groups where they had plenty of support and didn't experience the sleep deprivation that modern parents face. Additionally, co-sleeping was the norm, which allowed for easier and more frequent breastfeeding. However, modern sleeping arrangements often involve separate sleeping surfaces for the baby, which can disrupt the breastfeeding relationship.

Sleeping arrangements that are not conducive to breastfeeding, such as using a soft mattress, having lots of comforters, pillows, or a high bed. It is important to create a safe sleeping environment for the baby, even if it means making adjustments to the sleeping surface. Dr. James McKenna of the Notre Dame Mother Baby Sleep Center provides valuable information on how to safely sleep with babies, ensuring both their safety and the maintenance of milk supply.

In addition to sleep training, the number of feeds during the night can also impact milk supply. If the baby is sleeping on a different surface, tightly wrapped or swaddled, and not close enough to the parents to show early hunger signals, the number of feeds can decrease. This reduction in feeding frequency can result in a decrease in milk supply, as milk production is based on supply and demand.

To address the 12-week milk supply dip, it is important to consider individual circumstances and factors that may be affecting milk supply. Consulting with an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) can provide personalized guidance and support. Factors such as work schedules, partner's work schedules, childcare arrangements, and pump settings can all impact milk supply. A thorough assessment of these factors can help identify strategies to mitigate the dip in milk supply.

One key strategy is to think of milk supply on a 24-hour cycle and ensure that the baby is feeding a minimum of eight times a day. This frequency may vary depending on the mother's storage capacity, which is unrelated to breast size. Babies with smaller storage capacities may require more frequent feeds with smaller volumes of milk. It is important to monitor the baby's feeding patterns and adjust accordingly.

Maintaining consistent feeding is crucial for maintaining milk supply. Understanding the reasons behind the 12-week milk supply dip and addressing them through strategies like consistent feeding can help breastfeeding mothers overcome this challenge. Consulting with an IBCLC can provide personalized guidance and support in navigating the complexities of milk supply. By prioritizing consistent feeding, mothers can ensure an adequate milk supply for their babies and promote their overall well-being.

Increase Milk Supply Through Feeding and Pumping
Increasing milk supply through feeding and pumping is a common concern for breastfeeding mothers. Various strategies can help mothers overcome this challenge and maintain a healthy milk supply.

One strategy mentioned is dream feeding. Dream feeding involves picking up the baby while they are still asleep and latching them onto the breast to remove some milk. This can be done during the early hours of the night when the mother is awake and can help increase milk supply.

If dream feeding is not an option, an alternative is to add an extra pumping session either before bedtime or in the middle of the night. By removing milk from the breasts more frequently, the body receives signals to produce more milk, thus increasing supply.

Another suggestion is to spend more time skin to skin with the baby, especially on weekends or less busy days. This provides the baby with more opportunities to nurse and stimulates milk production.

However, it is important to note that simply focusing on the food one eats or buying galactagogues, such as lactation cookies, may have minimal, if any, impact on milk supply. Instead, it is crucial to ensure that the baby has a good latch and is effectively transferring milk at the breast. Increasing the number of milk removals, either through breastfeeding or pumping, is also essential.

Additionally, it is recommended to have a phalange fitting with a lactation consultant to optimize milk removal with the pump. This ensures that the pump settings are correctly adjusted for maximum effectiveness.

For mothers who notice a dip in supply, using tools like a haka or hand expression can be beneficial. Stimulating the non-nursing side while the baby nurses or adding in hand expression throughout the day can help increase milk production.

Maintaining consistent feeding is crucial for maintaining milk supply. Understanding the reasons behind the 12-week milk supply dip and addressing them through strategies like consistent feeding can help breastfeeding mothers overcome this challenge. Consulting with an IBCLC can provide personalized guidance and support in navigating the complexities of milk supply. By prioritizing consistent feeding, mothers can ensure an adequate milk supply for their babies and promote their overall well-being. Listen to Episode 149 of The Milk Making Minutes to hear more!