I'm 37, does age affect milk production?

QUESTION: My three-month-old daughter is still nursing every 2-3 hours around the clock. She was born with pneumonia and pneumo-thorax and spent a week in the hospital on IV antibiotics. After getting home she developed colic type symptoms to varying degrees, lots of unexplained crying and a lot of gas. (I cut all the "bad" gassy foods out of my diet immediately). She is still somewhat colicky and wants to nurse frequently. I fear my milk supply can't keep up, she cries when the milk isn't there (particularly in the evening before her bedtime). I'm 37, does age play a role in milk production? I breastfed my 9 year old son for 18 months and never had a problem with supply.

Thank you for your help.

Dear Sheryl,

Age does not play a role in milk production, but stress does, as does not getting off to a good start. You have been through a lot with your baby having pneumonia and spending a week in the hospital, colic, etc! However, it looks like Mikayla's weight gain has been great--5 pounds in 3 months is wonderful! I'm not sure why you think your milk supply is not good.

Because stomach cramps from colic can be confused with hunger, colicky babies tend to want to eat very frequently, not to mention the comfort they get from being at mama's breast. Dr. William Sears has done research and shown that this is the best way to feed a colicky baby--frequently. He has a great new book out called "Parenting the Fussy Baby and High-Need Child" which is a great companion to his original book "The Fussy Baby." They are both excellent books, and I highly recommend you read either or both of these books because they give insight and coping strategies!

Evenings are often stressful for breastfeeding moms. All lactation consultants hear this complaint frequently. Evenings are when the milk supply is at its lowest. Also, it is a more stressful time of day, and babies are very "tuned in" to their moms. My own baby was "glued" to my breast from about 4 p.m. until I went to bed at night for many months. She also was a very colicky baby, so I can empathize with you! I don't know how you feel about adding a supplemental bottle, but that would certainly be the time to do it if you feel so inclined.

Colic will eventually disappear as your baby's digestive system matures. Have you tried any of the medications available? If not, then you should. And you need to use them before the symptoms occur - not after. For many babies, this means around the clock. These are not "strong drugs."  They simply break up gas bubbles, so are very safe to use. You said you have cut out all the "bad" foods. Which foods have you cut out? The food group that is most closely linked to colicky symptoms is dairy products. Other foods would be much less likely to cause problems, contrary to what you may have heard. There are a lot of old wives' tales about nutrition and breastfeeding! Try giving up dairy completely (read labels) for a full week. It can take that long to see a difference. If there is a change, then you can slowly put it back into your diet, beginning with cheese and yogurt, until you find the level your baby can handle. As your baby matures, she will most likely outgrow this problem. Let me know how things go!

Cher Sealy, RN, BSN, IBCLC, LLLL

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