Why Your Milk Supply Drops Around Your Period (and How to Boost It)

By: Natalie Jarrett, MSN, IBCLC

Many women who are exclusively breastfeeding may not have their period return for 6-18 months. However, this is not true for everyone and sometimes women restart their period fairly soon after birth. It is very common for moms to get their period back when their baby starts solids or starts sleeping a longer stretch (6+ hours) overnight. 

Hormonal Shifts 

Have you noticed your supply drops at certain times of the month? A lot of times when this first starts happening, moms will think their supply is permanently dropping and may even stop breastfeeding altogether or start to wean. However, this is often just due to your first ovulation or your first menstrual cycle. There are two hormones that play a role in menstruation: estrogen and progesterone. As your period draws near, the levels of these two hormones drop, which can lead to a dip in milk supply for some women. You may notice that your baby is fussier at the breast or that they desire to feed more frequently for a few days around your menstrual cycle. During ovulation, you may also notice that your breasts and nipples are extra sensitive. 

What to do?

It is recommended to allow your baby to feed on demand so that they can get what they need during this time. In addition to letting your baby feed on demand, you can try increasing your fluid intake (aim for 50-75% of your pre-pregnancy weight (lbs) in fluid oz/day), pumping for 5-10 minutes after feeds, consuming lactogenic foods - such as oatmeal or flaxseeds, focusing on rest, and trying to reduce stress. All of these things will help boost your supply back up while you are dealing with the hormonal shifts that may be impacting it. 

You can also try to prioritize skin to skin time with your baby, use gentle massage while nursing or pumping, and use warm compresses right before feeding. If you are feeding your baby directly at the breast, you can try switch nursing. This means switching back and forth between sides multiple times in a feeding. If your baby is not fussy, you can switch sides after 5-8 minutes three to five times, but if your baby is fussy, you can switch sides when they start to get upset and repeat this as needed until they are satisfied.  

If you are an exclusive pumper, you can increase the amount of time you are pumping by 5-10 minutes and try to pump until you get a second or third letdown. If your baby is older than 6 months and taking solids, you can offer additional solids at mealtimes to satiate them until your supply returns. 

When to seek help

Seek professional help if your supply does not go back up after your period is over or if your baby shows signs of low intake such as a decrease in their usual number of wet diapers (or less than 5-6 wet diapers a day), a sunken fontenelle, or urine that is concentrated. A lactation consultant can observe you and your baby and do a weighted feed to advise you if supplementation may be needed. If you are worried your baby might be dehydrated, reach out to your pediatrician right away. 

Monthly fluctuations in supply are very common and are nothing to be alarmed about. Knowing they can be a natural part of your menstrual cycle can help ease some of the stress that can come with having a sudden dip in your supply and help you stay positive that your supply will come back up when your menstrual cycle is over. Trying to stay hydrated, eat lactogenic foods, focus on rest, and most importantly let your baby feed on demand can all help you get through the few days where your supply might not be what it usually is. If you need help navigating supply changes, don’t hesitate to reach out to us at Milestones Pediatric and Maternal Nutrition for lactation support! 

Last medically reviewed on August 21, 2025

Natalie Jarrett, MSN, IBCLC is the lactation consultant Milestones Pediatric & Maternal Nutrition in Cary, NC. Natalie specializes in empowering lactating parents during their breastfeeding journey, while helping to minimize any breastfeeding difficulties. Schedule an appointment today.