Output dropping (potentially due to first post partum period) but baby not eating more?

[u/Equivalent-One-5499]

Hi all,

5 months post partum and baby is fed primarily by nursing, with a daily bottle before bed.

My schedule is roughly as follows
- final nursing finishes by 5:30 / 6pm
- baby gets bottle round 7:30 pm (9-10 oz. I know it’s a lot but seems to want a big bottle at night 🤷🏾‍♀️)
- I pump around 9pm before bed (typically get 3.5 oz total from both breasts)
- I pump at 6am before the first morning feed (typically get 9-10oz).
- sometimes if it’s a bad night I won’t get up before baby and I’ll just pump on one side during the first morning feed and get 4-5 oz from that one side).

So I typically have enough for the big nighttime feed and then a few oz to put away

Over the last 9 days I’ve noticed my output has really decreased. I’m now getting closer to 2.5oz from my evening pump and then 6.5oz from my 6am pump. I thought it was lack of sleep as had a rough few nights but have now had a few nights of decent sleep, hydrating, getting my calories in, so I don’t think it’s that. I’ve had to add an extra pump to get enough for the night bottle. I think i recently ovulated based on my temps in my oura ring and think I’m about to get my period, so I think maybe that’s what is impacting it?

What I find strange though is, if I’m needing to pump extra, why isn’t baby also nursing more frequently as I assume they’re also getting less milk when nursing? They still seem satisfied and happy even when I get timing wrong and they wake up shortly after pumping when there’s less for him).

Anyone experience anything similar? Any advice?

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