After 6 months, I just returned to work on June 1 and luckily get to work from home. The first week, I had a good start. I was pumping 10 oz each day usually (3-4 times from 8am-5pm; there was one day where I even got 14.5oz). I nurse on demand outside of work hours and weekends. I co-sleep with the baby who wakes up at least twice to nurse around 11pm and 2am and comfort nurse often from 4am-7am.
Then I got a cold (chills/fever, bronchitis, runny nose) in the second week. I can still get almost 3 oz in my 8am pump but then all others vary from drops to 1 oz each session. I understand how being sick can affect supply but I think my real problem is no longer getting let downs. I tried all the recommendations: massage, warm compress, visualizations, videos of baby nursing on me, hot drink, relaxation (as much as possible!!), and have been taking fenugreek since she was 1 month old. I hand express for several minutes after each session and can get milk out (but don't have time or energy to do this instead of pumping). I tried power pumping and restarting sessions too. So now, I often pump 15-20, take a break and try another 15min. I also checked the pump and parts. I had been using the Spectra2 and even opened up a new Mendela PISA that insurance company sent me. No better luck so I went back to the Spectra.
When nursing, baby never was a great eater. Every 2.5-3hrs, she nurses 10 min each side and latch is not perfect. When I correct her, she re-adjusts herself every time. Her wet diapers are at the minimum side of ok: 4-5 wet. She gained 1lb/month and is about 10th percentile in weight but 90th in height. Pediatrician didn't think that was a problem since she's a happy baby meeting all her milestones. When we give her the 4 oz bottles during my workday, we definitely do see wetter diapers.
My questions are: If I can't get enough milk out pumping during the week, supply will drop. Is this the end of my breastfeeding?
Or, is this only a slump and I should keep going? (I need a lot of encouragement. Hubby (out of good intentions) is already telling me 6-7 mo of breastfeeding is good enough and not to force and be unhappy/stressed, but I really want to get close to the 1 year mark). Sorry for such a long post. Would appreciate any feedback. Thanks,