Fast letdown and baby gets mad after a few min?

SDKelli

Hi Everyone, I'm so glad I found this board. It has been really helpful, but I have a question...

For the past month or so, whenever I feed my DD, she latches on great, but then after about 3 minutes she starts fussing and crying, then will pull off and latch back on frantically over and over. So at that point I usually burp her and switch to the other side, where she will latch on fine again and then after a few minutes will proceed to get fussy and repeat the same cycle from the first side. I have resorted to feeding her BM from a bottle a couple times and she does not do this.

She is gainig weight fine (12 lbs 4 oz at 2 month appt vs 6 lbs, 7 oz when we brought her home!). I think it might have to do with my let down...Seems like she gets most of it out during the first few minutes and doesn't like it when it slows down. I have noticed when I pump the same thing happens, most of the milk comes out in the "letdown phase," then not much after that.

So I guess I'm just wondering if anyone else has experienced this and what you did about it. I think I am going to start pumping as much as possible and feeding her from a bottle, since it is so much easier and less stressful for both of us. I have to go back to work in a few weeks anyways, so we might as well get used to it now I guess!

Mrs.tlcS

Yes.  It's very normal.  Your supply is self-regulating.  After they have a growth spurt (which it seems like your LO has probably had at least one or two by now, based on age), you make more milk and it comes out a little quicker.  It's temporary. Your supply and let-down will self-regulate, but your LO has to kinda take the reins on it in order for it to happen.

If your LO is having a hard time with your letdown, I'd recommend nursing in a semi-reclined position (let gravity help with your milk not coming out so fast) or nurse in the side-lying position (so your LO can let the excess leak out the side of her mouth).

Sure, begin pumping... to begin building a freezer stash and to get used to the pump... but EPing's not a lifestyle that I particularly like (I EP for DS, since he was premature and small, and we have to be religious about tracking his intake) and I certainly wouldn't choose it over nursing.  Keep her at the breast as much as possible.  It's the best for your supply, and the most comforting for her.

HTH.