Sudden Decrease in Milk Supply: Why It Happens And How to Bounce Back

It is hard to imagine a thing more unstable than breast milk supply. From engorgement in the early breastfeeding stages to milk rivers drying up after introducing solids, breastfeeding moms have 1000 and 1 reasons to lose peace of mind and storm Google with “sudden decrease in milk supply” inquiries. 

An interesting fact: a sudden decrease in milk supply at 1 month or 2 months happens more often than at three or four months. How do I know it? Google stats. Anyways, let’s figure out what causes a sudden decrease in milk supply and how to get back on track fast and safely.

A sudden decrease in milk supply: real or perceived?

Milk supply changes throughout the lactation journey, and, normally, the engorgement disappears and breasts become less full after breastfeeding is regulated. This usually happens after a month or two upon the baby’s birth as your body learns to produce the right amount of milk that exactly meets your baby’s demand. 

So, what is often perceived as a sudden decrease in milk supply at 1 month or two months can be lactation becoming more stable and regulated. This is how God designed it: you don’t need to carry all the milk in your breasts all the time. Most of the milk you need for one nursing is being produced while you breastfeed as a response to the baby’s sucking and the mom’s letdown reflex.     

However, if, at some point, you notice that your baby doesn’t get enough milk or you experience a sudden decrease in milk supply overnight, you need to act fast and save your lactation! 

The reasons for low milk supply I list below will help you sort it out. However, before you start thinking about it and overthinking (I know you can, I’m a mom too), let’s get some things straight!

When does a sudden decrease in milk supply really mean a problem?    

In my previous post about the signs your milk supply might be decreasing, we found out that there are only TWO TRUE SIGNS that your baby doesn’t get enough milk:

1. Your baby gains less than normal or loses weight (you should eliminate factors on the baby’s side like bad latch or tongue tie that may cause insufficient weight gain because they have nothing to do with your breast milk supply). 
2. The diaper count test shows less than 6 wet diapers a day.

Other common and famous signs like the baby’s dissatisfaction after nursing, low pump output, shorter nursing, soft breasts, and even more frequent nursing AREN’T RELIABLE SIGNS THAT YOUR MILK SUPPLY IS DECREASING (and that your baby is underfed). 

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9 Possible reasons for sudden decrease in milk supply

Understanding what causes a drop in milk supply will help you make informed decisions to increase milk supply fast and keep it stable.

1. Not emptying the breasts

Breastfeeding is all about supply and demand. If milk gets emptied out, the body understands that more milk needs to be produced. If milk stays in the breast for longer, the body slows milk production. Maybe you introduced solid foods and had fewer nursings lately? Or maybe your baby became a better sleeper, and some feedings were just skipped? 

2. Skipping night feedings

Prolactin (the hormone responsible for lactation) is the highest at night, so the night is when your hormonal system is more tuned to your baby’s signals. Insufficient breast stimulation at night means a weaker hormonal response. If you used to breastfeed at night, but recently stopped or decreased the number of night feedings, this may be the culprit of the sudden decrease in milk supply. 

3. Stress and sleep deprivation

Did you have a stressful situation recently? The birth of a child is stressful enough as new parents have to adjust to many changes in their lives. Between sleepless nights, endless feedings, and the usual life chaos, stress levels can skyrocket. When your body is in fight-or-flight mode, milk production can take a backseat.  

Getting enough sleep can be the underlying factor. A breastfeeding lifestyle requires slowing down to the extent that provides enough time for rest. 

Read my Stressed Out Mom Guide to remove obvious stress factors and reclaim your peace.

4. Breastfeeding in a hurry and lack of close contact with a baby

Cuddling with your baby, smelling them, and hearing their voice help build strong emotional bonds with your child, propelling a robust lactation. Maybe you returned to work after maternity leave and your nursings became less peaceful? Or you had a birthday party in your family, your relatives arrived, and all of this screwed up your normal breastfeeding schedule.   

5. Hormonal factors

The milk supply may decrease in reaction to hormonal changes (getting pregnant while breastfeeding or return of a period) or hormonal issues such as blood sugar, thyroid, polycystic ovary syndrome, etc. If you suspect any of these, consult your doctor. A timely intervention can save your lactation. 

6. Medications

Illness, whether yours or your baby’s, can temporarily impact your milk supply. Medications can also play a role.

While considered safe for your baby, some medications may affect your milk supply. For example, steroids, antihistamines, birth control pills, and some herbal teas (peppermint, sage, senna, anise, etc.). 

Below, I will tell about which herbal teas are safe and can even help promote lactation. 

7. Insufficient glandular tissue

This quite rare condition may be among the reasons for low milk milk supply while breastfeeding. It means that milk-producing tissue in your breasts is not enough. However, it is not a final verdict. If you have the insufficient glandular tissue (IGT) diagnosis, but your breasts refill fast, the baby can still get enough milk through cluster (more frequent) feedings.

8. Mastitis, clogged ducts, or sore nipples

These conditions may cause painful sensations in the breasts and make breastfeeding more difficult and less frequent, which may impact milk supply. 

I have tried many different creams for sore nipples, just to come to this Purelan lanolin cream which heals super fast and is absolutely safe for the baby even if they eat a bit of the cream. It contains pure lanolin and nothing else (hence the name). It’s great because you don’t have to bother with washing the breasts before nursing (which can dry out the skin and aggravate the sore nipple problem) and reapplying the cream. Just apply when needed to keep nipples moisturized and protected. And it’s great for your lips in the cold season too).   

9. Insufficient nutrition and hydration

Dieting during breastfeeding may deprive a mother of the calories needed for sufficient milk supply. Usually, a breastfeeding mom needs an extra 500 calories daily to support lactation. Since breast milk is water by 80%, proper hydration is also key! 

Analyze what you drank and ate yesterday and the day before yesterday. Maybe it was boiling hot, and you forgot about drinking enough liquid?

Sudden decrease in milk supply: 5 easy steps to bounce back

There are several effective and proven ways to increase milk supply and keep it stable:

1. Increase milk removal

To help your body bounce back from the sudden decrease in breast milk supply, you need to give it a powerful signal that more milk is demanded.

• Feed more frequently. The optimal frequency is usually around two hours or even more often. If you have to wake your baby for feeding, do so. 
• Remove the remaining milk from the breast by pumping.
• Feed (and pump) at night to ensure milk is being removed 24/7.

2. Eat and drink for two

Drinking enough fluid is important because milk is made of your body fluids by more than 80%. Even though there is no scientific proof that certain drinks can increase milk supply, moms (including me) state the opposite. 

Here are some great ideas for drinks to help milk supply without harming your baby. Ensure you drink no less than 12 cups of fluids to compensate for the fluid loss due to lactation.  

Proper hydration and nutrition during the breastfeeding period strengthen you physically and make you more stress-resistant. 

By eating for two, I don’t mean eating for two adults, but for a mom (2000 calories) and her baby (plus 500 calories).

Foods to increase milk supply:

• Oatmeal and other whole grains
• Protein foods (meat, fish low in mercury, lentils, chickpeas, and tofu)
• Dairy products
• Eggs
• Leafy greens (kale, spinach, etc.)
• Lactation cookies

3. Give lactation supplements a try

Certain herbal teas (fenugreek, goat’s rue, blessed thistle, brewer’s yeast, etc.) and lactation supplements such as Boost Breast Milk Enhancer help increase breast milk supply naturally and fast. 

Still, if the first point is not applied (effective and frequent milk removal), supplements may be less effective.

4. Put sanity first

Postpartum blues is real, and not getting enough sleep can make it even worse. To increase breast milk supply, focus on replenishing your capacity. To give something away, you need to have it in the first place. So fill your cup. 

Prioritize rest and self-care over housework and practice things that relax and refuel you emotionally and physically (prayer, reading, journaling, shopping, taking a bath, walking in the fresh air, or spending time in the sunlight). 

The best piece of postpartum advice I ever got was “Sleep when your baby sleeps”.

5. Spend more time with your little one

It is normal to experience a dip in milk supply after returning to work. You spend less time with your baby, which means that your hormonal system responsible for lactation gets less stimulation. 

To compensate for this time apart, cuddle with your baby in the morning and evening while breastfeeding and on any occasion given. 

Smelling your baby’s clothing helps keep the emotional bond strong. You may take your baby’s onesie to your workplace to bask in pure sweetness while you are apart.

How to recover from a sudden decrease in milk supply when exclusively pumping?

If you hit the dip, here’s what you can do to kickstart your milk supply if you are exclusively pumping:

• Pump more frequently. Pump both breasts for 15 minutes every two hours for two to three days. Do not pump for more than 15 minutes. Otherwise, you will end up with sore nipples and won’t be able to continue.   
• Ensure your breast pump is still good and replace it with a new one if worn out. Modern breast pumps are wearable, rechargeable, and hands-free. Compared to my first breast pump (manual) I used 15 years ago, which was a pain to use, modern ones are just an eye candy delight.      
• Get more skin-to-skin contact with your baby. Even if you don’t feed directly from the breast, the same natural “cuddle” mechanism works to stimulate lactation.
• Try cluster pumping (not the same as “power pumping”). This pumping technique imitates a baby’s cluster feeding frequency and helps keep breastfeeding hormones elevated for a longer time. Get the cluster pumping schedule here. Usually, the milk supply boosts in a couple of days.

After you achieve the desired milk supply, slow down the pumping frequency gradually until you reach the ideal balance between supply and demand. 

Phew, that was a lot of information! Remember, dear, you’re not alone in this. Many moms experience dips in their milk supply. By understanding the reasons and implementing these strategies, you can confidently get your milk production back on track. 

Don’t hesitate to reach out to a lactation consultant for personalized guidance. Now, go cuddle your little one and focus on enjoying this precious time together!

If you loved this post on the Sudden Decrease In Milk Supply, grab more inspiration:

Cluster Pumping Guide: All You Need to Know to Unlock Abundant Milk Flow

Signs Your Milk Supply Is Dropping (Real And False) And How to Restore It

8 Powerful Drinks to Help Milk Supply Naturally (#1, 4, and 6 Are Mom Favorites!)

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