Breastfeeding didn't go so well the last time.. how to have success this time around?

LaurensMomma1105

Hi! I have a 14 month old little girl. When I was nursing her, I had to stop at 7 weeks because it was just a horrible experience for us both. First of all, my milk was coming in like a geyser. It started when I was 13 weeks pregnant (and again at 20 weeks with this pregnancy), I would leak colostrum constantly. My bras and shirts were/are constantly wet. Then, when my milk came in after giving birth to Lauren, it was absurd how much I produced! It would leak down my shirt and onto my pants, even with nursing pads. I tried those little collectors for the milk to stick in my bras, but even those didn't do much. I would roll up bathroom towels and stick them in my shirt. I was told to pump one side while nursing her, the problem was I had a crappy pump (which I didn't know at the time... I though they were all like that) and I would pump like 3 oz, even though I knew there was tons more milk in there. When I nursed her, it would shoot her in the face and come out so fast it would gag her. It was the most awful experience for us. After 7 weeks of us both crying constantly, I made the heart-wrenching decision to stop and switch to formula. I do NOT want this to happen again!  I just got a medela electric double breast pump. Maybe this will make it easier? Does anyone have any tips for me?

Thanks for listening!! 

ncbelle

I agree that you want to line up support now.  Definitely sounds like you had oversupply - which can be corrected fairly easily (kellymom.com has some good info).  You DO NOT want to pump in those early weeks though as it will just make matters worse!

An IBCLC can help you walk through fixing an oversupply if you have the problem again.  You can do it!

LaurensMomma1105

I actually spoke with a lactation consultant at the time, and she told me to pump one side while BFing on the other since it was coming out so heavily on the non-nursing side, that way the milk didn't go to waste. It made sense at the time, but now I'm stressing about this new baby and how this is going to go down. I'm 23 weeks, so I have a little while to research it and try to trouble shoot. What else should I have done?

 

Thank you

Melanded02

I can sympathize. My LO is one month old and I have an over supply as well an my DD struggles with BF because of it (to boot my babe was tongue tied and that had to be addressed). I hand express before letting her latch. Also I am working closely with an LC. I have to hold her in foot ball hold somewhat upright otherwise she fights me and we both end up in tears. I agree with the others start working with an LC sooner then later. Good luck!

PeachsMama

Fussy baby so I don't have time to read the others responses. But the book "so that's what they're for" was so helpful for me in breast feeding! LO is almost 8 weeks old and we're going strong!

LaurensMomma1105

Thank you. Can someone please explain "Block feeding" to me?

LaurensMomma1105

MosyMama said:

Thank you. Can someone please explain "Block feeding" to me?

Block feeding is feeding baby from the same side for a certain amount (block) of time, usually 2-3 hours depending on how much oversupply you have. For example, you might feed baby on the left side every time s/he nurses from 9-11 am, then feed from the right side from 11-1, etc.

Okay, thanks. Dumb question, but then won't the other side over-engorge and leak?

opheliainwaders

LaurensMomma1105 said:

MosyMama said:

Thank you. Can someone please explain "Block feeding" to me?

Block feeding is feeding baby from the same side for a certain amount (block) of time, usually 2-3 hours depending on how much oversupply you have. For example, you might feed baby on the left side every time s/he nurses from 9-11 am, then feed from the right side from 11-1, etc.

Okay, thanks. Dumb question, but then won't the other side over-engorge and leak?

It will at first, but over time, that will signal your body that it needs to produce less milk. There will probably be some leaking and engorgement - you can catch the milk in a towel, or hand express just a little bit for comfort if you need to.