Nada Beck a Board Certified Lactation Consultant, Registered Nurse and Mother answers some questions regarding breastfeeding and to help you with some of the challenges you may be having with breastfeeding or the use of breastpumps or nursing bras.
Earthy Birthy Mama had the pleasure of working with Nada for years as our Lactation Consultant. We are terribly saddened by her recent passing. We still have her wisdom here because we feel that the information that she gave us and our customers was too valuable not to continue to pass on. If you should have any questions, please feel free to contact us at sales@earthybirthymama.com.
Can Your Choice of Birth Control Decrease Your Milk Supply?
Dear Nada,
I hope you can help me. I am dealing with a couple of things that I don't know how to handle.
I have three kids--5, 3, and the baby will be 4 months old in October. Anyway, I went back to work on August 16th (I wish I could have stayed home with the boys, though) and I had gone to my last postpartum appointment at the Maternity Center where I gave birth. My midwife told me that I should start pumping so I could build up a supply of breast milk in the freezer for when I went to work. Then she spoke to us about birth control. I didn't know anything about birth control and breastfeeding, so I trusted my midwife's advice 100%. She offered me 2 types of birth control-- the 'Ortho' something patch and then she offered the Nuva ring which both contain progesterone and estrogen. I asked her if that would affect my breast milk supply and she said that it could but not enough to worry about. So I decided to go for the ring because she said it had less hormones than the patch.
Anyway, I started using it on August 1st as directed and started pumping with every feeding so I could store milk in the freezer. . . a week after the pumping and starting with the ring, my milk supply went down dramatically. I had had a really good supply for the first six weeks-- always full and never lacking any milk, but at that point everything was different. Even the baby was getting fussy because he didn't seem to get enough milk out of my left breast (still a problem today). .. I didn't even think that it could be the birth control since my midwife told us that it wouldn't have a great impact on my milk. . . so I blamed it on the pumping. ..
Though I knew that didn't make sense because if anything, the pumping would increase my milk production rather than lowering it, right? I went on the month of August (of course I got my period that same month) and then I continued on the month of September with the ring and then I started doing some research on increasing my milk supply because I just didn't feel I was making enough. I started reading about how much your milk supply can be affected if using the ring or any other estrogen/progesterone combination birth control. Meanwhile, I have stopped using the ring and am now trying to stabilize my milk supply.
If you have any suggestions on building my milk supply back up I would So appreciate it. I have to pump during the day to leave enough milk for the baby while I'm at work. . . and all that milk I had stored in the freezer was 'bad' -- smelled funny (probably from the hormones) -- and the baby rejected it. This is so important for me because I didn't nurse my two older boys--I really want this to work out. Sincerely, Marsha
Hi Marsha-- Let's start with the birth control issue. Now that you've made the decision to stop the hormones, you have one less concern, but one more concern. So, be sure to use birth control devices properly. Condoms can be highly effective and have few side effects when used correctly.
Secondly: The herbs might be helpful--Fenugreek capsules: 3 capsules 3 times a day along with Blessed Thistle: 3 capsules 3 times a day for a period of about 2 weeks and then gradually wean off over another week to ten days (not stopping abruptly). It sounds like you pump during the time you are also with the baby. Do you pump at the work setting? If gone from baby for about 8 to 9 hours, it is recommended to pump 2 or 3 times, for 15 to 20 minutes with a dual pump. Which pump are you using?
Try not to stress out. Studies show that the more relaxed you are, the more milk supply, milk ejection and breast "emptying" (though never actually empty), thus more milk making. Just keep at it and you will see. You and the baby will be right back on track in no time. Other issues might be just the typical growth spurt that caused your baby to go through a fussy demanding period (along with the possible effect of the hormones).
Also, many women who work start to experience milk supply issued just because of the added demands. Re-evaluate your priorities regarding taking on any extra load while at work. Engage the help of others and ask for their support. Babies are amazing. They compensate for the situation at hand. Many learn to get most of their milk directly from mom while she is home with them. Most important is checking your baby. Is he gaining well? Mostly satisfied after feedings? Good natured?
Other tips--Don't try to micro-manage. Take a "Baby-Moon"-- you know a honeymoon with your baby. That means just pay attention to him and only him for a 24 hr + period of time. Rest and relax all day. Eat what you want (good nutrition and lots of water) and just feed him whenever he wants. Sleep when he sleeps or at least rest, read, watch TV. I know you have other children, so engage others' help 'just one more time'. You will be amazed at the results with your milk supply.
As for your milk in the freezer. When you pump it, place it in the refrigerator section to cool down before you freeze it. Be sure all items are cared for and cleaned properly. Put in freezer (made for breast milk bags or bottles) and label. It's probably not your milk but the odors from other foods in the freezer. Clean out the other frozen stuff. Foods in there over 6 months can hold odors. If the freezer is not a separate compartment it's even more likely to have instability regarding constant temperature. When collected properly and placed in properly working devices, you milk should not get "spoiled". It is good for up to 3 or 4 months in most regular freezers. But, remember, pumping to get a stock pile of frozen milk is not the answer because when you reach into the freezer, pull out 4 or 5 ounces of milk you pumped at a previous time, give it to the baby; yes, it's breast milk, but you will still be giving your baby a food source outside of your daily volume, therefore, he will take less out of your breast that day, thus sending the signal to your body to make less the next day. Me sense? Hope some of the suggestions work.
A quick update on Marsha we received an email from her saying that breastfeeding is going well--her milk supply is back where it needs to be--baby is gaining well and Mom is happy.
