over active letdown and supply

[melbb]

I have a two week old who was breastfeeding well until 10 days, then started acting fussy and coming on and off the breast. Many times this was when I was letting down. So I started thinking I had overactive letdown. But why would that manifest itself at 10 days and not sooner (milk came in at 2.5 days)?

Anyway, I had been feeding him off one side per feeding, so I decided to try block feeding. I started doing 4 hour blocks and with that and leaning back, he isn't having as many problems. But, I feel like my supply has gone down too much in the right breast (this breast I think does not have as strong a letdown or as great a supply as the left, I believe, in part based on the frequency of letdown and his gulping and in part based on my experience when I EP'd for DD).

Last night I was up 2 hours with him crying and constantly seemingly wanting the breast. It was the time block for the right breast and his suck seemed kind of lazy (maybe he really wasn't hungry?) and the letdowns weren't coming very often. I finally gave him the left breast and he was on there for 5 minutes (actively sucking through a couple of letdowns) and then went to sleep for 3 hours (want to add that 5 minutes doesn't seem like long, but he seems to be pretty efficient). Then today he exhibited the same behavior in the afternoon when I was feeding of the right breast. I finally got tired of it all and threw him in my sling (he likes to be held a lot) and he went to sleep. So now I wonder if he just wasn't that hungry and it is all just coincidence. I don't know what kind of advice I am looking for, I am just confused and inexperienced. I tried really hard with DD for 4.5 months and it just didn't work, she hated BFing and was on strike for 2.5 of those months, so I really want to be successful this time around.

Want to add that I don't think I have oversupply. I have had very little engorgement. His poops are the normal yellow seedy poops.

[SpunkyMama]

If you don't think you have oversupply it is important to stop block feeding. Block feeding is intended to reduce your milk supply (not something you want to do if you feel like your supply is decreasing on the one side). Do you feel your letdowns? If so, when it starts gently unlatch baby, do something to keep him occupied for aboug 10 seconds, and press lightly on the nipple with a pad to catch any dribbles. Then latch baby back on.

If baby is popping on and off the breast try burping him. Oftentimes, my son needed a good burping and then he would nurse much better. If your letdown is strong he is probably gulping in a lot of air.

Lastly, if your baby is screaming, crying, arching away from the breast at all it could be because of a food sensitivity to something you are eating. My son has MSPI (milk soy protein imbalance), and everytime I ate dairy or soy he tasted it and popped off because it made his stomach hurt.

I would also say to get in contact with your local Le Leche League group for support. It would also be advisable to get in contact with a local leader who can assist you to help ensure your breastfeeding relationship gets off to the best start.

[Bokonon]

It's possible that he was just trying to comfort suck, and gets frustrated when milk comes out.

[OperaDiva]

to all of the above!

I have slight oversupply, and I don't block feed, but I do only nurse off one side at a time. When my DS started fussing and wanting to suck but not eat, I introduced a pacifier, I think he was 4 or 5 weeks? They recommend waiting til at least 3-4 weeks in the LLL to make sure supply and latch are established. Once we started using the paci, especially in conjunction with the sling, he was the most content baby ever

I've also had to cut out dairy recently when I realized it was only after I had milk that he would cry and be extremely uncomfortable.

[melbb]

I didn't realize block feeding was only for oversupply. Now I am worried I compromised my supply. The left side is definitely okay and in fact was a little engorged last feed. To get the right side up to par should I do anything special, like put him on it for a few minutes each feed just to give it some extra stimulation? Or if I just go back to alternating sides, will the supply adjust? Also, he sometimes gets in snack mode, where he spends 5 minutes nursing, then 30 minutes later will want to spend another 5 minutes, I assume in such a case that he should be put on the same breast? Sorry to ask such basic questions.

[melbb]

Originally Posted by SpunkyMama

Do you feel your letdowns? If so, when it starts gently unlatch baby, do something to keep him occupied for aboug 10 seconds, and press lightly on the nipple with a pad to catch any dribbles. Then latch baby back on.

I feel the letdowns, so I can try this.

Originally Posted by SpunkyMama

Lastly, if your baby is screaming, crying, arching away from the breast at all it could be because of a food sensitivity to something you are eating. My son has MSPI (milk soy protein imbalance), and everytime I ate dairy or soy he tasted it and popped off because it made his stomach hurt.

He doesn't get that upset, just comes off in the middle of a letdown or sometimes coughs/chokes on too much milk and seems to find that frustrating. Like I said, I haven't had as much problem if I lay back so the milk has to go against gravity. But he still sometimes seems a little overwhelmed.

[SpunkyMama]

Originally Posted by melbb

I didn't realize block feeding was only for oversupply. Now I am worried I compromised my supply. The left side is definitely okay and in fact was a little engorged last feed. To get the right side up to par should I do anything special, like put him on it for a few minutes each feed just to give it some extra stimulation? Or if I just go back to alternating sides, will the supply adjust? Also, he sometimes gets in snack mode, where he spends 5 minutes nursing, then 30 minutes later will want to spend another 5 minutes, I assume in such a case that he should be put on the same breast? Sorry to ask such basic questions.

Nothing to apologize for! I am HTH! You are right that extra stimulation will increase your milk supply. You can offer both breasts at each feeding. Your milk should regulate again. It is entirely possible to only nurse from one side and still provide all the nutrition your babe needs. You can also pump or hand express for a few minutes on the right side after a nursing session. You want to be careful about foremilk/hindmilk imbalance. I would try this if it were me:

If you start on the right side stay on that side and only switch if he seems hungry still.

If you are on the left side nurse him normally and see if he will nurse on the right side, too. If not you can hand express or pump for a few minutes.

It shouldn't take too long to get that right side back up!

One very important thing to remember is that newborns will nurse all the time!! Babies are biologically programmed to nurse several times in an hour for just a few minutes each time. Heck, my 13 month old still nurses in short, frequent bursts! If he nurses for only a few minutes on one side and wants to nurse again shortly thereafter you can try latching him on the same side. If he fusses you can try putting him on the other side.

I am a LLL leader-in-training right now. I am more than happy to help. You may also want to contact a leader in your area!!

Happy nursing! It is so worth it for both of you =)

[melbb]

I just wanted to thank you, SpunkyMama, for your advice and encouragement. I got my pump out, but found that it was easier to just get him on that right breast as much as possible in a 1-1.5 hr time period when it was its turn. I also gave the right side some time when it was time for the left. My supply seemed to increase fine. The little guy just went through a growth spurt and there is tons of milk now. So we are getting through this.

[SpunkyMama]

You are welcome. Feel free to PM me if you have more questions! I'm glad things are going better.