BF troubleshooting - desperate
megoguen
member
So I use nipple shields due to flat nipples. LO has reflux & is on 1mL of Zantac twice a day. I used to have over supply. In the last few weeks, I started having under supply. I've been trying to increase my milk - pumping and feeding more, fenugreek, oatmeal everyday. In the last couple days, LO will start to feed, pull off after 3 or so minutes, start fussing and not go back on. So then my breasts weren't emptying making my low supply worse. So I'm pumping the excess to increase supply. But then I'm having to give bottles to fill her up. But since LO keeps pulling off after 3 minutes and won't go back on at all, even minutes later, I'm having to pump every time after a feeding. So feedings take a long time. Why would she be pulling off after only 3 minutes? I thought it was because my flow wasn't flowing as strong since she was used to over supply but when I compress, milk flows pretty easily. Could it be the taste of the fenugreek? Something else?
Please be gentle. I'm having a hell week. DH is away on business, BF completely sucks right now since LO eats, pulls off fussing, then I have to pump AND somehow hold her or put her someplace to pump, then feed her that milk or frozen milk, etc. I have zero support from family or friends and I'm losing my mind. I do not have an easy baby and crying has become an almost daily event. And I'm not a crier. TB is my social life, and that's when I can even get on.
The next lactation class I can get into is Monday.
Re: BF troubleshooting - desperate
I'm not sure I'm much help, but wanted to say that this sounds like hell and I'm sorry you're dealing with it. Have you tried pulling off the shield before she unmatched herself? Might be that she's getting impatient with the flow as she gets more efficient. I noticed something similar with my lo and that's when we started transitioning off the shields. GL!
ETA: "unlatches" not "unmatched". Stupid phone.
My LO definately fusses if she has gas or now she's getting distracted. I wish I could be more help. Good luck!
we are dealing with this as well. I googled nursing strikes and he had the characteristics- he will only nurse well first thing in the morning.
We met with our LC and she found that he has a tooth coming in. Check your baby's gums and see if that could be part of the problem. She said offer the breast but don't fight him, just give him the bottle and let this tooth pop through.
I was going to suggest a tooth. I read that it can hurt them to suck too hard when they're teething. I've been massaging my breast and expressing a little before I latch her and that's helped. Hope things get better
Thanks everyone. It's reassuring I'm not alone. It's so frustrating seeing her upset, on top of reflux, on top of possible under supply, latch issues and pulling off. Everything today is a guessing game and my patience is very low.
@ jenwet - Every time I try without the shield, she pulls off and sometimes doesn't go back on. But it seems weaning off the shield should be a priority these days since so many people say the shields make things worse around 3 months.
@ softskate3 - Thanks for the link. I usually call a different lactation consultant that I've gone to twice before, but I can't attend her class until next Monday. I did call the # in your link and hope to speak to someone from the LLL tonight. So thank you!
@ bootcamp - I have wondered if she is more gassy for some reason. Sometimes she'll pull off and have a good burp or even a good poop, and that may be the case. I'm actually hoping it's a poop for once.
@ lizzyb - I do wonder if it's the 3 month spurt. I only noticed a change in her around the 6 week one. If it is a growth spurt, it's making an impact for sure. Hope I survive.
@ JaimeG183 - I do mouth exercises with her before latching her on to help with her opening wider. I haven't noticed anything yet. Maybe something is below the surface.
@miniray - Thanks for your posts! It sounds like you have your hands full too. The hands free pumping bra will change your life. I have one and I can actually do other things while double pumping. It's great!
@ Matilda - I do offer both breasts if she'll take the 2nd one. Then I have to ump them both since she fed from them both. For the shield, did your LO feed w/o it right away? I keep trying w/o and she isn't having it. So I'm hesitant to keep trying w/o it with all the issues going on.
@ Sunshine - I hope she's not getting used to the bottle. We do have her on a size 2 nipple because it seemed to match my over supply back at the beginning better. Now I'm wondering if we should switch back to size 1 since I'm not flowing as much.