Really need help (I'm very torn)

happyhoopla · November 2010

So, let me preface this by saying that I feel that my current issues are completely my own fault.

LO started out with a wonderful latch and was doing great with breastfeeding. Since I eventually have to go to work, I figured I would be smart and increase my supply with frequent pumping and fenugreek. It worked. Fast forward, LO is now screaming at the breast half of the time. We do think that she has reflux and are giving her Zantac. She's been having pretty bad gas and green stools, so I'm fairly certain that I'm dealing with an oversupply/formilk imbalance. I stopped the fenugreek about a week ago and have stopped pumping except for one morning and one night pump. I altered my diet (several weeks ago) incase that was the issue, but there wasn't any improvement.

I would love to keep breastfeeding, as LO is a champ and it ultimately would be the easiest thing. However, half of the time LO seems miserable and I hate that what should make her feel good is what's causing the trouble. Also, some times she will only nurse for less than 5 minutes before becoming absolutely frantic and I worry that she's not getting enough (she still seems hungry, but screams whenever the breast comes near her). So, do I keep trying to breastfeed or should I start just pumping and giving her bottles? Thoughts, opinions, anything?

adkhiker · November 2010

I am sorry you are having trouble. DS had green poops but no one was worried about it as there were no other symptoms. Crying at the breast is frustrating for everyone involved. Definitely talk to a lactation consultant or LLL leader before you quit breastfeeding. They should be able to sort out what is going on for your LO. Good luck.

*KC*luvs*RJ* · November 2010

That happened with DS1, but it stopped by the time he was about 3 months. The screaming at the breast only lasted a couple of weeks.

I think you should just continue BFing (if you want to) and wait until your supply regulates again. I nursed him until he was 12 months old.

ETA: We also found out that he had a dairy allergy, which is common in very young babies. I cut all dairy out of my diet for about 6 months, and once it was completely gone from my system his green poop slowly went away. It may take a few weeks, so you have to be patient with it. If you think this could be the problem, you should start taking Calcium supplements while you're off dairy. Email me if you have any questions, because this sounds very similar to what I went through and I know how completely stressful and awful it is.

Oops - email is MamaaKC at gmail

mamaholic · November 2010

softskate31:
Have you tried positions for oversupply and overactive letdown nursing? EP sucks...avoid it if you can.

This. From what I remember you are a nurse, yes? Even though you are very knowledgeable you should definitely consult an outside source (LC, LLL leader, etc.) for a neutral options/advice that you might not think of because you are so close to the situation.

(((hugs))) I hope it gets better for you soon. Just remember you are a great mama... even when she is screaming.

jen-dale · November 2010

Have you tried a bottle to see if it helps?It could be overactive letdown. Is there an LC you could consult? If the diapers are still wet/dirty LO is getting enough.

mchell9 · November 2010

It can also be your letdown- may be too fast. I had oversupply, fast let down and milk imbalance- lot's of green poops! I did block feeding and after 2 wks I STARTED to notice a difference. I have been good since then more or less.

I would say if you want to BF then don't stop...this will pass.

burghbaby · November 2010

I had issues with oversupply in the beginning because DD wouldn't latch and we pumped and fed her my milk by bottle for 2 weeks. When she finally did latch at 2 weeks we completely switched to the breast and I was producing way too much for her - and I think also too fast. I remember noticing green poops too and thinking it was related to foremilk. Our hospital LC sent me some info about it. I don't remember all the details but I was to only let her nurse from one side during a 2 hour period. She was going through growth spurts so sometimes wanted to nurse every hour. If 2 hours hadn't passed I had to stay on the same boob. Eventually things fixed themselves by doing this and she went back to nursing both sides at each session without problem.

*KC*luvs*RJ* · November 2010

mchell9:
It can also be your letdown- may be too fast. I had oversupply, fast let down and milk imbalance- lot's of green poops! I did block feeding and after 2 wks I STARTED to notice a difference. I have been good since then more or less.
I would say if you want to BF then don't stop...this will pass.

THIS is what I did to help stop the oversupply. I can't believe I forgot about that. lol. My only problem after block feeding was that my supply was left uneven. My left breast always produced more milk after that. It was worth it, though, and I was easily able to continue breastfeeding. I just made sure I pumped at night because we sometimes needed to give DS1 a bottle after he fed to make up for less milk on the right side.

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Really need help (I'm very torn)

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