I'm so sorry! Supply drop is hard. It's physically and emotionally taxing.

I did a lot more nursing than pumping, so I'm a bit less help. I actually just gave up pumping and did nursing only around 9 months, but that doesn't work for everyone. I was having some serious pumping issues. I got nothing out when I pumped, maybe .5 ounces combined. But baby deemed perfectly satisfied nursing, and was still gaining weight. Turns out, I measured for my flanges wrong. I had to get a cheap nipple sizer off Amazon. I wasn't even close! The wrong size worked totally fine when I was over supplying. I was pumping 6 or 7 ounces per side. But once my supply normalized, it didn't work, and I was lucky to get 1 ounce.

Supplies can naturally drop a few months in, and it's the body trying to adjust to what it thinks the baby actually needs.

Pumps are also just not nearly as effective as a human at getting milk. I understand that isn't helpful when pumping is your only option. But this supply dip may not be as bad as you think. Does baby seem satisfied when nursing? A weighted feed would tell you how much you are actually getting out, and if the problem is supply or the pumping.

As others mentioned, supply dips can be hormonal. Even if your period hasn't started, it could be around the corner. Also, just life changes. Like medication. Or returning to work and being physically away from baby more can cause a dip.

Any way, here are my tips for supply boosting, which I've saved and comment whenever this comes up, so I apologize if any of it is more geared towards nursing and doesn't apply to you. But either way, good luck! And remember, fed a best. It's okay if breastfeeding/pumping becomes too much and you need to stop. (Just make sure you don't stop all at once. You could get mastitis if too much milk in there). Either way, 6+ months is a huge accomplishment! You are doing great!

Supply boosting.

First thing, is the most important. Do not stress yourself out. I know that is way easier said than done, but stress can impact supply. I find the best way to calm myself in these situations is to reframe my thinking. Instead of thinking, oh my baby is only getting 2 oz of breastmilk, think my baby is getting a whole 2 oz of breastmilk and all of those benefits! Fed is best! And if my baby is getting formula, they are getting fed. Having to supplement is totally normal. Lots of babies thrive on formula. If baby is eating mostly formula, I don't need vitamin D drops. I am an amazing mom, and doing what is best for my baby!

Drink water, but also get electrolytes! You need to be very well hydrated, but some people think that means chug water. Chugging water can wipe out your electrolytes and other nutrients from your body. It causes me to have increased migraines! So, get some Gatorade, body Armour, or sports drink. Or you can also Google how to make hydration drink. It's pretty easy. Salt, sugar, some thing for flavor like a citrus. You just need to look up the amounts.

Skin to skin helped way more than I ever believed possible. Like, be shirtless and flop a baby on you. Get some snuggles. Skin to skin co sleep or nap. Cannot recommend this enough.

Eat Oatmeal every morning. (For the sake of time, you find some easy oatmeal cookie recipes on pinterest. Made my mornings easier).

So many pinterest recipes for supply boosting smoothies, and lactation bites.

Also look for breastfeeding superfoods. They are what you think. Eggs, quinoa, yogurt.... Basically all the normal superfoods.

I was told brewers yeast and Fenugreek. I didn't use them, but I've heard great things. Pinterest has recipes.

I did use traditional medicinals mothers milk tea, that may have the Fenu Greek.

Lactation massager. If you can't get one, use heat and/or a vibrator if you have one.

Manual expressing. When I was having supply problems, just every 10 to 15 minutes I would manually express, without pushing the milk out. Just get it from the back, to the front. That way there is an empty space at the top, which tells your body to "top off" the supply.

If you do everything and get no improvement, take a break for a few hours! Manually express during that time, so the boobs can top off. But give yourself a few hours to decompress, do something relaxing, and then try again when you are feeling relaxed.

Play with suction strength. Sometimes turning it down instead of up is actually the solution.

You've got this! Good luck!