30 July 2014
Oversupply & Forceful let-down
When I was pregnant with Ryder I knew I wanted to breastfeed. I never did any research on it and figured it just came easy and naturally. When Ryder was born he wouldn't latch and I ended up having to exclusively pump and eventually ended up feeding him formula. I felt so disappointed and guilty that I couldn't give him the most healthy start to life and felt like I failed. So when I got pregnant with Gage I was determined to breastfeed no matter what it took. I spent hours doing research on how to get the correct latch and how to increase your milk supply. I stocked up on oatmeal and mothers milk tea to help my supply and also purchased a nipple shield and fancy breast pump. I felt a lot more prepared this time around. When Gage was born I made sure to do as much skin to skin for as long as possible and it didn't take long for him to latch on. I have never been more happy when he started to breastfeed! He did really well the first few days. I pumped in between feedings to help my milk come in and I never had to supplement with formula. Then my milk came in and things got hard. He got frustrated when he would nurse. He would nurse for 30 seconds then pull off and fuss and he would also choke at times. It was worse at night when he would sleep longer and I ended up having to pump and feed it to him in a bottle. After a few google searches I realized I have an oversupply of milk and a forceful let-down. I'm making TOO much milk....What?? I didn't even know that could happen! I spent so much time researching how to increase your milk supply I didn't even think I'd have trouble with too much milk. It turns out that since I have such a big supply, if Gage doesn't empty my breast he is only getting fore milk and no hind milk which can cause gas, fussiness and can hurt the lining of his gut. Because of this I have been pumping a while before he feeds, attempt nursing then feed him the bottle of pumped milk. This obviously is time consuming and I don't want him to start to get attached to a bottle. Although I am glad that I have too much milk rather than no milk at all, I am very frustrated. Has anyone else had this problem?? I'm open to any ideas on how to solve this! I don't want to have to exclusively pump but will if I absolutely have to.
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I'm right there with you, but neither of my boys would latch so I use the shield (did with my first also). I exclusively pump at this point to ensure he gets ALL the milk in there :) and if I need to nurse, I use the shield. I also have an over supply of milk, but since I pump, it works out. I already got mastitis so I have to be mindful of getting it all out every 3-4 hours. I was very hard on myself for not being able to breastfeed, but finally committed to exclusively pumping and knowing this was what's best for ME and MY babies. I pumped exclusively with my first for a year. That's my plan with Maddox if possible. It got easier once he was only eating 4 times a day (around 4 months). Good luck and do what you can to survive at this stage...lol!
ReplyDeleteI used the shield with Ryder and I just barely weaned Gage off of it as well. Don't be hard on yourself for pumping! All that matters is that you are both happy. At this point I feel like exclusively pumping might be easier for me! Right now I attempt to nurse, then pump, then feed him a bottle and it takes forever! That's amazing you pumped for so long. Atleast I know it gets easier if I do have to exclusively pump. Thank you!!
DeleteI would HIGHLY reccomend seeing a lactation consultant (IBCLC certified). After visiting one and also going to a breastfeeding support group I felt like I had so much of my questioning answered. I too had a big let down and over supply and was told not to pump so much because it just increased my supply even more. You are doing a great job and I promise visiting the lacatation consultant will be the best thing you ever do, all your answers and problems fixed in one day.
ReplyDeleteI am definitely going to do that! I probably should have just done that from the beginning instead of googling it haha! It might have saved me a few grey hairs ;) thank you!!
DeleteCheck out La Leche League: http://www.lalecheleague.org/nb.html They have groups that meet (you can look up if there's one in your area) and they are really supportive and helpful! Just checking out their site is worth it. Good luck!
ReplyDeleteWhitney
Thanks so much! I will definitely check it out. Hope you and the new babe are doing good!
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