Sigh. Me again! My supply completely tanked over the weekend. Like not a single damn drop. I think I had a massive hormone shift or something because I had been swollen all over for days and the same day I had zero milk, I also had finally did not have sausage hands/feet/face, so maybe that screwed up my supply? LO did not care for formula but thankfully he took it anyways.
Supply looked like it was coming back, and now it's really low again and I can't keep pace with LO and his feeding. Already trying everything I can think of (oatmeal, fenugreek, etc). Trying not to be stressed because I doubt that helps things. Anyone else have a suggestion? We're supposed to be EP for a few days per the lactation consultant suggestion, but LO keeps diving at my boobs and I'm barely pumping anything. So I did let him nurse a bit this morning, once he could get his tongue pushing under control, I did hear a few good swallows but mostly he just likes to use me as a pacifier. Feeling like we're going to have to do formula again today and while I'm not opposed to that, LO hates it. Kind of mentally/emotionally over this whole feeding thing and thought EP would help give me a break but seems it's just brought new problems.
@noideawhatshesdoing can you let LO latch and then pump after? Even if he’s not getting Anything at the breast, puttig him on there will trigger the hormones your body needs to make milk. I’d also suggest power pumping. It’s exhausting but it works. Basically set yourself up for an hour on the pump, I think it’s 15 mins on and 15 off, repeat til you get to 60. Look it up though, I could be misremembering the amount of time. Also tons of hydration and rest for you, and as much skin to skin as possible. Those are all the tricks I’ve found most successful, but no shame in going to formula if that’s what you decide. Sorry you’re having a rough go of it.
Well, I scheduled an appointment for a week from today for the tongue tie procedure. I figure I can always cancel but wanted to get the appointment on the books. In the meantime I will call up my chiro today and make him an appointment, to see if releasing some tension will help ease the symptoms.
We had been pumping after latching (when he'll latch), and it helps some but it will take him a good 20+ minutes to even latch because of the tongue pushing issue, and that's even after we get his mouth warmed up with the finger in the mouth exercises the LC has us doing. But since that's been such a fight in itself the LC recommended straight EP for a few days to see if that's better. I might go back to doing the latch first because he keeps dive bombing down to my boobs anyways. Yesterday we did EP and lots of skin to skin, but because I apparently don't get any sort of letdown sensation I just leaked all over him which sort of just adds insult to injury.
Tried power pumping yesterday, but was doing 10 on 10 off, and for that I got a whopping total of 1.5 oz. Whereas until this past weekend I was getting 2-3easy from each side. Maybe 15 minutes would work better? I'll give it a try.
Just frustrated because he so clearly wants to nurse.
@noideawhatshesdoing did your LC check to make sure you’re using the correct size flanges? The standard size is too small for me, I use the next size up. That can make a big difference in pump output.
@noideawhatshesdoing did your LC check to make sure you’re using the correct size flanges? The standard size is too small for me, I use the next size up. That can make a big difference in pump output.
I have to go up a size on mine as well. It’s crazy but when I was using the wrong flanges I got drops. When I changed them out I started getting ounces. Also, I don’t know if y’all have tried this but pumping while LO is nursing gives me crazy output. It’s a little awkward at first but it seriously makes a huge diference. My mom pumped for my youngest sister and wouldn’t respond to a pump at all unless she was nursing at the same time. Just an idea to try!
@noideawhatshesdoing +1 for power pumping ! I would even try it at 10 mins on and 10 off. Also I EP but still try to do like 30 mins of skin to skin right away in the morning around 5-6am. When you're pumping is you're LO right there with you ? I've read visualization can really help. So I usually have LO in a seat right at my feet while I pump or if he's not, I try to look at all the pictures/videos I have of him while I pump. To be honest, not sure how much it really helps but I figured it definitely doesn't hurt either way. Sending good vibes your way. I'm so afraid of my supply just disappearing without warning too ! And at this point I'm not sure if I would have BF to fall back on to try to get it going again or not since he didn't take well to it the first few days and we've only been pumping ever since. I'm stocking up as much as possible because it's always in the back of my mind that it could happen.
Edit - ugh my mobile app must have a lag or I didn't see all your responses while my slow fingers typed this up lmao
@zande2016 They did check the flange size at the first appointment and I had them check again this last time and they say everything is correct.
@kmac103 I've thought about trying to nurse on one side and pump on the other, but since he really doesn't nurse because of all the issues, I'm not sure how that would even work out. At this point I'll try anything, so if someone suggests something random like pump while eating yogurt and doing a headstand, sure, I'll give it a go.
@lem5344 I've had him right with me while pumping. In fact yesterday when he was being super fussy I stood next to his crib had my pump sitting in his crib with him because the vibrations from the machine seemed to make him chill. Weird but it worked to calm him down while I was not able to pick him up with flanges attached still. I'm sure it made quite the picture. The supply thing just really sucks. I don't even have a stash to fall back on because I'm pumping so little and can't keep up. I'm basically only one feeding ahead of him the whole time. I'm not opposed to using formula, we've got a bunch because the hospital sent us home with a ton of it because of all the BF issues we had while we were there, but LO does not like the taste of it apparently. Takes a couple swallows, stops and stares at it like "what is this spray cheese, I asked for gouda", I think he's just a snob. Ugh. One way or another he'll get fed, I just wish it weren't so stinking complicated!
@noideawhatshesdoing ugh I’m sorry you are dealing with this!! I really wish it was easier for everyone. I’ll be praying for you that something works or at least helps. I’m sure this added stress isn’t making things any better. You are a rockstar for sticking with it
+1 for aggressive letdown. As if it weren’t enough to juggle a screaming, hungry newborn trying to ravage my cracked and sore nipples, suddenly he’s getting sprayed in the face and it’s dripping all over both of us.
Since a lot of us seem to be in the splash zone club. I’ve figured out that putting a really absorbent burp cloth tucked into my bra before I latch baby has helped me. And I keep a second burp cloth on hand for wiping/spills/etc. worth a shot if you’re getting soaked every time.
+1 for crazy letdown! DD is a champ at trying to keep up with it though! My son used to unlatch and give us both a shower but so far she’s been keeping up! It’s crazy how differently they both nurse. She’s definitely not as lazy about it as he was.
@moguippy i usually do the two burp cloths too! I sprayed myself in the face last night while half asleep lol I always spray out after a shower too even if i just fed.
+1 for dripping nips while trying to get baby to stay latched. I always have to have my other boob still in a bra with a pad otherwise I start leaking all over myself with that one too. Does the letdown ever regulate itself once supply does? Or does baby just get bigger and better at catching it all? Nervous for my first time trying to feed in public
TTC History:
Me: 36 H: 40 Married 2015. Together since 2010. TTC: Sept 2016-Oct 2017 BFP Oct 2017. DD born July 2018. TTC: March 2020. BFP March 2020 Due date was Nov 2020 DS born Sept 2020. DS passed away Nov 2020 due to prematurity and birth trauma. TTC: March 2021 IUI #1 Nov 2021, BFN IUI #2 Dec 2021 BFP. MC Jan 2022 IUI #3 Aug 2022 BFN IUI #4 Sept 2022 BFN AMH test came back at .081. Was going to move on to IVF with DE, but have decided not to. Will be leaving it up to the universe now.
Add me to the crazy letdown, I usually feel it all the way up into my underarm! Before i nurse i tuck a hand towel into my bra on the opposite side. I tend to soak through the burp cloths and usually go through several a day with DD spit up/vomit so I dont want to spare them for my leakage anyway lol. I also have a horrible letdown directly following a shower and usually multiple in the shower. I seriously have to hurry and grab a towel otherwise I feel my shower was in vein lol
@rachelsogo mine eventually regulated so there’s hope!
@noideawhatshesdoing it may be worth trying other flange sizes even though yours “fit” properly. I ended up using some that were technically too big last time but if I used the proper size, my output was shit and I got clogs all the time.
@rachelsogo mine didn’t regulate but i mostly pumped with DS so idk if that had anything to do with it. I only did it for 5 months so we’ll see what happens this time that I’m 90% BFing and hoping the full year. I have to wear nursing pads all the time and this let down is annoying in public.
@comealongponds I've been told twice mine are correct and they seem comfortable, but worth trying the other sizes I have. Willing to try anything at this point. Thanks for the idea.
Since we all seem in the same boat as far as letdowns go I'm sure you all can relate to the minor freak out you get in public when you have a letdown and keep looking down at your chest, and praying you dont soak through the nursing pads.
@kbernal2021 my dad was over the other day. He’s like super gruff and doesn’t talk about breastfeeding or whatever. In the middle of a conversation I literally just got up, walked upstairs and changed my shirt bc I had leaked thru (just on one side lol). I don’t know if he realized what had happened but it was slightly awkward lol
For the pumping ladies, I just read something I had forgotten about - milk expressed at night has "stuff" in it to help promote sleep so it's best to keep track of the time of day pumped and bottle feed from the related time, when possible.
My LO is colicky and wants to use me as a pacifier as a result. Gas drops aren't really helping so we've been doing lots of tummy massages, bicycling, etc. I'm praying it will pass as he gets a little bigger?!?
@MichelleAG05 maybe more melatonin? I never thought about it that way. Also with DS a lot of reflux and colic got better around 4-5 months. Hope your LO gets over it sooner!
Am i the only one without a strong letdown?! LC appt yesterday was good. Pain was coming from LO not getting deep enough latch. I have to be a little more foreceful getting her on, i was being too gentle. Did a weighted feed and she transferred 2oz in 15 minutes and we pumped 2oz after that.
Today or tomorrow I’m going to make lactation no bake oat balls. I’ll share the process after and if they are tasty or not. Anyone else tried baking lactation treats?
Can I just say how much I hate nursing when it comes to needing to also take care of my 19 month old? I hate feeling like I can’t do what I need to with one arm and it’s just annoying at this point. I really wanted to enjoy this extra time with her while on maternity leave but it’s so frustrating how often I have to nurse. And of course she doesn’t understand because she’s so young but I do try to explain it to her
@And846 i made cookies last time but i haven’t yet this time but really want to. H really liked them too (if only it made him lactate and take the night feedings lol)
@And846 no strong let down here! It’s there, but manageable.
@MichelleAG05 my LO’s nickname is fuss bucket lately. She’s sooo much more fussy than DS, I think gas is the culprit- I hope it’s just a phase! Colic + a toddler would be a nightmare.
I'm going to see the LC from the hospital today. Figured it's cheap and they only see you until baby is 4 weeks old, which will be Monday for us.
After putting LO down at 530am, he fed at 8 with my DH so now I have to pump and I really don't want to. Finally ordered a pumping bra because ATM I think I'm dreading it because I'm completely glued to the pump for 15 min. But I'm engorged so I better do it soon...lo is in the rock and play and I would rather chill on the couch...
To those of us dealing with oversupply issues, I’m just now back from my first postnatal appointment with my midwife who suggested going back on low-dose birth control pills sooner rather than later as a way of reducing my supply somewhat. I’d never heard of that as a technique, but I’ll go back on them in a couple days and hope for the best.
@perhapsitalian what kind of pill? Usually for nursing moms they only do the mini pill, which is progesterone only and no estrogen. I think the reason is estrogen can lower supply, so I can see the logic there for sure, but I’d watch closely and make sure baby is gaining well and then be ready to stop the pill if your supply tanks.
ETA I don’t plan on using any hormonal BC this time because when i went on the mini pill last time it negatively affected my mental health really badly. Idk if it was too soon, or the mix of hormones from breastfeeding and postpartum, but I became anxious and depressed and it all got better as soon as I stopped them. Just something to watch for, I’m not sure if my experience was typical or really unusual
@perhapsitalian after DS i remember going on the pill (forgot what it’s called that’s safe while BFing) but my oversupply continued. Then again maybe my pumping sessions were too long which might of stimulated my oversupply? Idk
@zande2016@wildtot LO is gaining really well and both my midwife and LC agree that it would be helpful to get my supply under control. I don’t recall what kind of pill she ended up prescribing but the plan is to evaluate how it’s going at my next postnatal appointment in three weeks.
@acunamatada My LO’s nickname is fussball. He is just a super fussy baby. If he is awake, he’s fussing. He is never just awake and content. And he fusses in his sleep too, which has resulted in him going into his nursery by 2.5 weeks bc I wasn’t getting any sleep with him right next to me. LO has a ton of gas which I’m sure is like 75% of the problem. We’ve been trying gripe water which works like half the time. Pediatrician suggested mylicon drops yesterday but I have yet to get to the store. But hoping to go once DH gets home from work. I don’t really have any advice, just solidarity in constantly fussy baby.
Re: Breastfeeding/pumping support 7/6
Supply looked like it was coming back, and now it's really low again and I can't keep pace with LO and his feeding. Already trying everything I can think of (oatmeal, fenugreek, etc). Trying not to be stressed because I doubt that helps things. Anyone else have a suggestion? We're supposed to be EP for a few days per the lactation consultant suggestion, but LO keeps diving at my boobs and I'm barely pumping anything. So I did let him nurse a bit this morning, once he could get his tongue pushing under control, I did hear a few good swallows but mostly he just likes to use me as a pacifier. Feeling like we're going to have to do formula again today and while I'm not opposed to that, LO hates it. Kind of mentally/emotionally over this whole feeding thing and thought EP would help give me a break but seems it's just brought new problems.
Well, I scheduled an appointment for a week from today for the tongue tie procedure. I figure I can always cancel but wanted to get the appointment on the books. In the meantime I will call up my chiro today and make him an appointment, to see if releasing some tension will help ease the symptoms.
We had been pumping after latching (when he'll latch), and it helps some but it will take him a good 20+ minutes to even latch because of the tongue pushing issue, and that's even after we get his mouth warmed up with the finger in the mouth exercises the LC has us doing. But since that's been such a fight in itself the LC recommended straight EP for a few days to see if that's better. I might go back to doing the latch first because he keeps dive bombing down to my boobs anyways. Yesterday we did EP and lots of skin to skin, but because I apparently don't get any sort of letdown sensation I just leaked all over him which sort of just adds insult to injury.
Tried power pumping yesterday, but was doing 10 on 10 off, and for that I got a whopping total of 1.5 oz. Whereas until this past weekend I was getting 2-3easy from each side. Maybe 15 minutes would work better? I'll give it a try.
Just frustrated because he so clearly wants to nurse.
Kylie M.
Baby #1 Born 12.16.2015
Baby #2 Due 7.13.2018
Edit - ugh my mobile app must have a lag or I didn't see all your responses while my slow fingers typed this up lmao
@kmac103 I've thought about trying to nurse on one side and pump on the other, but since he really doesn't nurse because of all the issues, I'm not sure how that would even work out. At this point I'll try anything, so if someone suggests something random like pump while eating yogurt and doing a headstand, sure, I'll give it a go.
@lem5344 I've had him right with me while pumping. In fact yesterday when he was being super fussy I stood next to his crib had my pump sitting in his crib with him because the vibrations from the machine seemed to make him chill. Weird but it worked to calm him down while I was not able to pick him up with flanges attached still. I'm sure it made quite the picture. The supply thing just really sucks. I don't even have a stash to fall back on because I'm pumping so little and can't keep up. I'm basically only one feeding ahead of him the whole time. I'm not opposed to using formula, we've got a bunch because the hospital sent us home with a ton of it because of all the BF issues we had while we were there, but LO does not like the taste of it apparently. Takes a couple swallows, stops and stares at it like "what is this spray cheese, I asked for gouda", I think he's just a snob. Ugh. One way or another he'll get fed, I just wish it weren't so stinking complicated!
Kylie M.
Baby #1 Born 12.16.2015
Baby #2 Due 7.13.2018
Kylie M.
Baby #1 Born 12.16.2015
Baby #2 Due 7.13.2018
TTC: Sept 2016-Oct 2017
BFP Oct 2017. DD born July 2018.
TTC: March 2020. BFP March 2020
Due date was Nov 2020
DS born Sept 2020. DS passed away Nov 2020 due to prematurity and birth trauma.
TTC: March 2021
IUI #1 Nov 2021, BFN
IUI #2 Dec 2021 BFP. MC Jan 2022
IUI #3 Aug 2022 BFN
IUI #4 Sept 2022 BFN
AMH test came back at .081. Was going to move on to IVF with DE, but have decided not to. Will be leaving it up to the universe now.
@kbernal2021 we got 3 packs of prefold diapers to use as burp cloths. There were like 6 in a pack so we are usually good on burp cloths lol
@noideawhatshesdoing it may be worth trying other flange sizes even though yours “fit” properly. I ended up using some that were technically too big last time but if I used the proper size, my output was shit and I got clogs all the time.
@moguippy so smart ill need to do that.
My LO is colicky and wants to use me as a pacifier as a result.
Today or tomorrow I’m going to make lactation no bake oat balls. I’ll share the process after and if they are tasty or not. Anyone else tried baking lactation treats?
I really wanted to enjoy this extra time with her while on maternity leave but it’s so frustrating how often I have to nurse. And of course she doesn’t understand because she’s so young but I do try to explain it to her
@MichelleAG05 my LO’s nickname is fuss bucket lately. She’s sooo much more fussy than DS, I think gas is the culprit- I hope it’s just a phase! Colic + a toddler would be a nightmare.
I'm going to see the LC from the hospital today. Figured it's cheap and they only see you until baby is 4 weeks old, which will be Monday for us.
After putting LO down at 530am, he fed at 8 with my DH so now I have to pump and I really don't want to. Finally ordered a pumping bra because ATM I think I'm dreading it because I'm completely glued to the pump for 15 min. But I'm engorged so I better do it soon...lo is in the rock and play and I would rather chill on the couch...
ETA I don’t plan on using any hormonal BC this time because when i went on the mini pill last time it negatively affected my mental health really badly. Idk if it was too soon, or the mix of hormones from breastfeeding and postpartum, but I became anxious and depressed and it all got better as soon as I stopped them. Just something to watch for, I’m not sure if my experience was typical or really unusual