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North Carolina Babies
Oversupply Issues? (BFing)
I'm pretty certain I'm dealing with over supply issues. I know most people say they don't have enough milk, but I've got the opposite problem and I'm thinking it's causing a foremilk-hindmilk imbalance. I've been reading about it online (kellymom included and it sounds like what's going on.....I think).
I'm going to the LC tomorrow for a consult, but I was just wondering if anyone has dealt with this issue b/f?
L is SO GASSY pretty much all the time and spits up all day long (which I know isn't just a symptom of this) and is already on Zantac for it.
I EP'd last time and it worked fine (inconvenient at times though), but since I SAH now, I really wanted to nurse more than bottle feed (with BM) this time around. But we've had so many issues (slow weight gain included) that I'm starting to get so frustrated with nursing. I'm thinking that it just might not be for me since it's been so difficult.
I'm sorry this turned into more of a vent, but if anyone has dealt with this please share. Thanks!
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Re: Oversupply Issues? (BFing)
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Yes, I am having to pump and nurse. The pedi was not happy with her weight gain and wants me to give her a supplemental bottle (of BM) after every feeding. I only pump 3xs a day. I just started doing one breast per feeding yesterday when I realized what the issue might be. I haven't noticed a difference in her yet, but it might be too soon (???-not sure).
I thought pumping could be an issue too, but I'm torn b/c I want her to keep gaining and she didn't seem to be able to when she was nursing alone.
It's so frustrating and I can't help but think there's something wrong with me. UGH.
Thanks for the help.
I can see why you are having an oversupply. When supplementing is your LO actually drinking the bottle?
I think it is too soon to tell if your LO is doing better. I HATED to pump so I avoided it at all costs. If your LO is nursing well, I would offer the breast more often but only one side per feeding and coming back to the same breast if they still seem hungry. I loved my LC and she was an amazing resource. Hopefully she'll be able to help you out. hang in there.
Photo/Family Blog
Ok, please don't take this wrong at all. I am really just trying to figure this out and see if I can help. But...
How in the world can you have an oversupply but the dr. doesn't think baby is getting enough? If you have an oversupply then there would be no way she isn't drinking enough unless she is just not drinking the milk straight from the breast, but if that is the case you would know? I am so confused.
I definitely don't think that you should have to pump if you have an abundance of milk. I guess my question would be the same as nls, is she actually drinking the bottle after feeding from the breast?
I get what you're saying and I agree with you.
Here's my theory on that:
L wasn't gaining weight and is still gaining slowly. The pedi called her a lazy eater. She kept falling asleep at the breast and even though I gave my best efforts to keep her awake, she would would snooze all the time.
Now that I've been able to look back on it, I probably switched her to the other side too soon (after she had been snoozing for a while) and she was just drinking foremilk on both sides and that's not enough to help her gain weight. She still needed the hindmilk.
Also, her spit ups have been frequent and large and I also think that's what has held her from gaining as quickly. The pedi definitely attributed the spitting up to poor weight gain. She is gaining now, but not as quickly as he would like. But at least she's gaining.
Yes, she's still drinking at least an ounce (most feedings) from the bottle after getting the breast.
Thanks for giving me feedback, you guys. I am going to write down lots of questions for the LC.
I have thought about that and was going to ask the LC. Sounds like it's worth a shot!
Quick question-did you see froth in Callie's diaper? I haven't seen it in L's, but the LC asked me about that since it's a symptom of getting too much foremilk.
Ya know, I don't remember if I did. Callie would be lazy at latching and staying latched. She could do it, she was just lazy. AND when she did latch she got a rush of milk and to choked. Coupled with the force and abundance of foremilk she was a spitty gassy mess.
In addition to pumping a few mins before feeds my LC also recommended I lean back a bit while feeding her to help with the gravity of milk rushing into her so fast. I tried it for a while, but it was so uncomfortable I quit. The thing that helped the most was getting rid of some of that foremilk. After that she stayed latched better and didn't have as much gas.
I had oversupply with Katie and I was not pumping. I agree to keep to one breast at a feeding [I didn't realize people were using both boobs until a few weeks into my adventure]. I also had to do a quick 1-2 minute pump to slow down the flow, because Katie would also choke at the force of it all. I would just be standing there not even near Katie, and all of a sudden geysers would start shooting from my boobs, that's how much I had. ;-)
Katie also was VERY slow to gain weight. She lost a ton after birth, and was nearing the mark where they get concerned [10% i want to say]. She started to get better, but she too suffered from being gassy and having reflux. I went to the LC 2-3 times to work on things.
To help with the reflux, Katie was put on Zantac [which she hated] and slept reclined. To help with the gas, I gave her the LIttle People Gas Drops pretty much after every feeding [she LOVEd that]. I also held her facing out with my hand on her belly and her resting on my arm with her legs on either side of my arm [if that doesn't make sense, I can send a picture]. Anyway, that position helps babies with gas to put some pressure on their tummies in order to expel it. As for the feedings, she didn't latch great, and then she'd fall asleep, so the LC taught me that even if I had to take her off the breast 50 times, I wasn't to let her continue until she latched right. Then I had to wiggle her, get her nekked or put a wet washcloth on her when she'd start to doze. Also pumping 1-2 min first and only feeding one breast helped.
It is SO NORMAL for BFing moms to have a melt down like this in the first month. Most of the posts I've seen have happened on day 12 for some reason. ;-) It is so freakin frustrating and it's hard work, but if you stick with it over this hurdle, it will be worth it. You're doing a great job, so don't worry about things. It'll eventually click!
Katie, Duke Gardens, 6months
Zach, Duke Gardens, 6months
Photo courtesy from the amazing Ever You Photography!