June 2015 Moms
shabanil
member
Forceful Letdown
shabanil
member
Hi Ladies,
Is anyone else experiencing forceful letdown? I feel like I'm waterboarding my poor girl everytime she goes to feed. I feel like my whole feeding session is one big continual letdown. She screams and cries and can't stay on the breast more than one or two slurps (but really, I could probably drop a whole feed into her mouth). I'm at the point of wanting to exclusively pump, but am going to try and make it to the three month mark before I do that.
I'm starting to block feed, but this is temporarily making it worse for her. I've been advised to drip out the letdown, but there is just so much, I have to pump out up to 2 ounces before she will consider sticking around.
1. Do you/have you experienced the full feeding session as a letdown?
2. How have you dealt with oversupply? Was this a permanent solution?
3. How do you deal with a fiesta hangry baby while you try to drip out the letdown?
Is anyone else experiencing forceful letdown? I feel like I'm waterboarding my poor girl everytime she goes to feed. I feel like my whole feeding session is one big continual letdown. She screams and cries and can't stay on the breast more than one or two slurps (but really, I could probably drop a whole feed into her mouth). I'm at the point of wanting to exclusively pump, but am going to try and make it to the three month mark before I do that.
I'm starting to block feed, but this is temporarily making it worse for her. I've been advised to drip out the letdown, but there is just so much, I have to pump out up to 2 ounces before she will consider sticking around.
1. Do you/have you experienced the full feeding session as a letdown?
2. How have you dealt with oversupply? Was this a permanent solution?
3. How do you deal with a fiesta hangry baby while you try to drip out the letdown?
Re: Forceful Letdown
My kid just has gotten used to it (though he's also in the 97th percentile for weight, lol!). I just heard on here to pump some off or to let some squirt into a burp rag, so am going to try that. He will squirm and fuss when he needs to be burped, which happens quick, then he goes back on the boob. I have used the laid back position a lot, but now he seems to prefer traditional cradling, which is what we use 80-90% of the time, and laid back position the rest.
Good luck! Hope your LO and you find a good rhythm together.
ETA: On dealing with hangry babe while you let the girls empty a bit... I try to catch LO's super early hungry signs. The first time he starts moving his mouth around or bringing his hands to his mouth. Lately he's been smiling and giggling on the boob for a bit before he starts nursing. If I wait too long to feed him, he won't do that, just snorts and goes at it like a velociraptor
I haven't pumped at all, I'm concerned that could potentially increase my supply, I'm also concerned LO might never go back to the boob again if he tries a bottle. I'm hoping this thing works itself out as PP mentioned.
I feed him side laying, which allows him to dribble out the excess milk out the side of his mouth or we nurse while I'm reclined on my back, which works against gravity to slow things down (tricky at first but we finally are getting the hang of it).
I also just nurse from one boob per feeding, like PP mentioned this ensures babe isn't just getting fore-milk. Baby chokes lots, it's so heartbreaking but the doctor says not to worry and he always seems motivated to eat. He also gets so awful gas pains, likely from all the air he is gulping down. Although he only ever eats for 5-10 minutes then he falls asleep or starts spitting up, but he eats every 1.5-2hrs right now.
I haven't been able to find a good solution for keeping baby happy while I try to hand express part way through the feeding. It seems to be counter productive so far because he only gets upset and returns to eat with a vengeance.
How long did everyone block feed?
I am still leaking massively. Yesterday I leaked through a disposable pad, nursing bra, and shirt. I hate being milk sticky. Hoping the leaking will get under control soon.
So grateful for this thread! So many regulars are dealing with under supply that I didn't want to mention my issues... It's so helpful having the validation that this has its own set of challenges, and hearing how everyone else is dealing with it.
LO is 6 weeks, and I keep thinking that things are settling down, only for LO to cluster feed and cause production to ramp up again. He fed every 1 1/2 - 2 hours yesterday morning then had longer gaps in the evening and night. Ended up having to pump at 2:30am before he woke up as he wouldn't have been able to latch on otherwise. I could tell the other side was headed the same way, so I left the pump and bottle assembled in the fridge so I wouldn't have to resterilize before using it - which did save time, but bloody hell it was cold!
I read somewhere that breastmilk sells for $5-6 online. Can't help but think I could make a fortune if I were to switch LO to formula and pump for a living
I have been having some pretty horrific leaky nights as well. Hoping this gets under control soon.
For those who didn't read it, it suggests that completely emptying both breast with a pump on one occasion, perhaps like resetting things. It recommends this along with continued block feeding.
It has seemed to come out of nowhere for us at 5.5 weeks this week. LO gets fussy at the breast, clamps down on nipple, pulls away etc. But only on one side... Is that normal?
And I want to make sure I understand correctly... Do I feed on one breast only per feed, and switch to the other breast for the next feed? Or do I offer the same breast for a couple of feeds in a row? Does it depend on timing? I'm so confused. I've read a number of articles online but I think my exhaustion is impeding my comprehension
ETA:
Did you find block feeding increased or decreased how frequently LO fed?