I have a 6 week old DS. When he was 10 days old, I manifested an overactive letdown. I was able to manage it by leaning back when I fed him.
A week after that, I developed postpartum anxiety which inhibited my ability to letdown. I am on meds and doing much better, but my supply took a little bit of a hit from having bad feeds from the anxiety. So I took fenugreek, blessed thistle and fennel for a few days. My supply was back up, but on day 3 DS seemed to struggle more with my letdown. As soon as it would come, he would start fussing and pulling off. Even though I didn't hear tons of gulping, he seemed to get enough milk based on his diapers. After a week, my supply seemed to regulate again and things are better, but there are still some feedings where he fusses and cries.
The thing is, when he is sleepy, he rarely has a problem with my letdown. But if he is wide awake, feedings are a nightmare. I have tried catching the milk in a cloth, but it isn't helping. It seems to me that if he would just start swallowing he would be fine, but he immediately comes of when the letdown starts and doesn't even seem to attempt to swallow. And when he comes of, milk is dripping, not spraying, so if he isn't sucking to make it spray, why all the fuss? I don't have oversupply, so block feeding is not possible. I guess I am just wondering if something else is going on. He doesn't spit up much and doesn't arch his back, so I wouldn't think it is reflux.
I am just finding it distressing to see him so frustrated and it doesn't help my anxiety issues. I would appreciate any thoughts or advice.
A week after that, I developed postpartum anxiety which inhibited my ability to letdown. I am on meds and doing much better, but my supply took a little bit of a hit from having bad feeds from the anxiety. So I took fenugreek, blessed thistle and fennel for a few days. My supply was back up, but on day 3 DS seemed to struggle more with my letdown. As soon as it would come, he would start fussing and pulling off. Even though I didn't hear tons of gulping, he seemed to get enough milk based on his diapers. After a week, my supply seemed to regulate again and things are better, but there are still some feedings where he fusses and cries.
The thing is, when he is sleepy, he rarely has a problem with my letdown. But if he is wide awake, feedings are a nightmare. I have tried catching the milk in a cloth, but it isn't helping. It seems to me that if he would just start swallowing he would be fine, but he immediately comes of when the letdown starts and doesn't even seem to attempt to swallow. And when he comes of, milk is dripping, not spraying, so if he isn't sucking to make it spray, why all the fuss? I don't have oversupply, so block feeding is not possible. I guess I am just wondering if something else is going on. He doesn't spit up much and doesn't arch his back, so I wouldn't think it is reflux.
I am just finding it distressing to see him so frustrated and it doesn't help my anxiety issues. I would appreciate any thoughts or advice.
