PLS HELP - 9 mo old ds not pooping, darker pee, suspect low milk supply

[mama9]

I'm panicking now. He is taking longer naps, sleeping longer at night, pee is getting darker and he is pooping less frequently. They have been drying up too. Last one was so dry I couldn't get it off his bottom with a warm wet cloth. I am so worried that I can't think or see straight. He is not his normal self. He has sensitivities and he won't take Neocate top-ups. Tried the SNS but he bites me or spits out the tube, but I will try it again.

I offer him the breast every 30-40 mins and we co-sleep. He nurses through the night but wakes up with very dark pee in his diaper.

Please help mamas.

xxx

[Super~Single~Mama]

He's 9mo right?  We need more information.  How much does he eat in the way of solids?  are you offering him water?  Is he still EBF?  How much does he weigh?  Did you have a WBV recently - was he on his curve?

How long have you suspected low supply?  My supply always went WAY down the week before my period - could you be getting your period?  If so, he'll nurse enough to get your supply back up, and it will come back up anyway after your period is over.

I would see your ped if you are panicking.

[mama9]

Originally Posted by Super~Single~Mama 

He's 9mo right?  We need more information.  How much does he eat in the way of solids?  are you offering him water?  Is he still EBF?  How much does he weigh?  Did you have a WBV recently - was he on his curve?

How long have you suspected low supply?  My supply always went WAY down the week before my period - could you be getting your period?  If so, he'll nurse enough to get your supply back up, and it will come back up anyway after your period is over.

I would see your ped if you are panicking.

Hi and thank you so much for your post. He is 9 months old. I offer him solids (don't spoon feed) and he eats probably 2 teaspoons of solids per day (he likes mainly fruit and veg). He has only started showing interest in eating solids during the past few days so this is new. Before he would just play with it after tasting it. I am offering him water and he likes it. I try not to give more than an ounce per day because he is pretty much EBF, bar the couple teaspoons of fruit/veg and I don't want to fill him up on water instead of bm but I will try to give him a little more to help hydrate him as he needs it right now.

He was slipping off of his curve a couple of weeks ago. I bought some scales and he seemed to have put on a lot since then but I don't know if it is just my scales as they give a different read out no matter how many times I weigh him in a row. He's currently 40 weeks old tomorrow weighing 9 kg according to my scales. Two weeks ago he was less than 8.5 kg. His weight seems to be okay but before I bought my scales and was taking him to weigh in clinics, I noticed he was going down on his curve and about to slip off of it (not the WHO chart).

I kind of suspected low supply for months but he's been gaining and meeting milestones. Plus I've had all of my attention on dealing with elimination diets so that I can breastfeed him, so I didn't face the supply issue, if there was one. We both recently had bad colds and in the past 7 weeks we've had a move of house, cut 4 teeth, two viruses for ds, one case of mastitis and a recent chest infection that needed abx for me, lots of new developmental milestones for ds and a few nursing strikes.

He hasn't got a great latch due to months of terrible reflux from birth that resolved at around 4 months.

Also I have always suspected that I have hypothyroidism although my test results don't agree. Could be that my period is returning due to the lack of nursing when I was ill and my supply got hit (wasn't long after recovering from mastitis).

He's been nursing constantly these past two days so the lack of output must be my supply going down.  I hope this is enough info and thanks again.

[Super~Single~Mama]

Ok, so your supply may be going down.  Also keep in mind that when babies become mobile they don't gain as fast.

Whenever I get my period, to help the supply I drink mothers milk tea (no particular brand, just what I can find but Yogi is pretty tasty), and take fenugreek and red raspberry leaf capsules.  Those always seem to help out a bit.

If he's nursing constantly, I would give it a few days (unless he's super dehydrated - someone else will probably chime in to give the signs for that, I don't know them well).  Also make sure he doesn't get lethargic - that would concern me enough to go to the ER.  Is he active?  Acting like himself?  What has changed? 

He could be getting more teeth, and my ds got fussy at the breast when he was teething (still does actually), so some tylenol or motrin might help him relax and nurse better.  Do you pump at all?  (do not use pumping as an indication of supply unless you do it OFTEN - I pumped alot while I was at school and I could tell when my supply went down b/c my pump output would go down, but I was pumping 3x/day M-F, if you don't pump hardly ever DO NOT use it as an indication of your supply).  If you want to stimulate more milk production you can start pumping after nursing sessions, and that might help bring up your supply.

Hopefully some other mama's will chime in! 

[maddymama]

Hi Mama,

If you are really concerned, call the pedi and get him checked to rule out an ear infection, sinus infection, or something medical that might be putting him off nursing enough.  Does your son have any other signs of dehydration (listlessnes, lack of tears, etc.)?  Dehydration can come on really fast after it gets to a certain point, and can proceed quickly.  Is he teething?  Is his pee darker and less frequent or simply darker?  If it's less frequent, he could be entering a state of mild dehydration, if it's simply darker it could be from the addition of the solids. 

Second, I'd drop everything for a few days, go to bed, drink an ton or water yourself and nurse round the clock.  Nurse, nurse, nurse, nurse, nurse.  Once you see the wet diapers go up, keep nursing for a bit longer to really cement things going well.  You may also want to drop the solids until this gets back under control and then re-introduce solids in a week or two. Also, it's never too late to learn a good latch.  I don't have a link for you, but can you google it on the web and watch a video of a great latch and then work with your son to improve his latch.

Good luck!

~maddymama

[mama9]

Originally Posted by Super~Single~Mama 

Ok, so your supply may be going down.  Also keep in mind that when babies become mobile they don't gain as fast.

Right, I'll bear this  in mind.

Whenever I get my period, to help the supply I drink mothers milk tea (no particular brand, just what I can find but Yogi is pretty tasty), and take fenugreek and red raspberry leaf capsules.  Those always seem to help out a bit.

I've got a few teas here and Mothers Milk Plus coming in the post too.

If he's nursing constantly, I would give it a few days (unless he's super dehydrated - someone else will probably chime in to give the signs for that, I don't know them well).  Also make sure he doesn't get lethargic - that would concern me enough to go to the ER.  Is he active?  Acting like himself?  What has changed? 

He's been sleeping a lot more and is super-clingy. The past couple of nights he's been sweating in his sleep. A few nights before that I could swear that he was teething again. I did slip him some water mixed with bm and he drank it. He seemed much better after that.

He could be getting more teeth, and my ds got fussy at the breast when he was teething (still does actually), so some tylenol or motrin might help him relax and nurse better.  Do you pump at all?  (do not use pumping as an indication of supply unless you do it OFTEN - I pumped alot while I was at school and I could tell when my supply went down b/c my pump output would go down, but I was pumping 3x/day M-F, if you don't pump hardly ever DO NOT use it as an indication of your supply).  If you want to stimulate more milk production you can start pumping after nursing sessions, and that might help bring up your supply.

I have been pumping randomly after some nursing sessions (they are so brief that I wouldn't call them sessions!) and trying to feed what I pump back to him to top him up. It's really hard to get him to accept any, whether it be via SNS, bottle, sippy, open cup...). I tend to go by how much he is swallowing at a feed and today he is swallowing  majorly less than yesterday and he is trying a lot harder, nursing ALL the time.

Hopefully some other mama's will chime in! 

Thank you so very much xxx

[PatioGardener]

If he isn't having 4-5 sopping wet diapers a day (that is 4-6 tablespoons of pee per diaper) then I would worry about dehydration.  Severe dehydration can really mess up their electrolytes - not something to 'wait and see' about at all.  If you are worried about dehydration, Dr Sears has a good info page: http://www.askdrsears.com/html/8/t081300.asp

If you are panicked, please take him to casualty or to the doctor today.

[sosurreal09]

you are getting great advice! want to add make sure you are seriously eating as much as you can and drinking at least 10 cups of water!

does he have a temp at all? he could totally be teething or under the weather not drinking as much so its affecting you're supply. When my DD is sick or teething she wants the boob all day long but she doesnt drink it all she just nibbles or suckles, dont forget he can control that....

check his dipes and keep track of them or even go dipe free and count his pees.

[mama9]

Originally Posted by maddymama 

Hi Mama,

If you are really concerned, call the pedi and get him checked to rule out an ear infection, sinus infection, or something medical that might be putting him off nursing enough. 

Hi, we have booked an appointment.

Does your son have any other signs of dehydration (listlessnes, lack of tears, etc.)?  Dehydration can come on really fast after it gets to a certain point, and can proceed quickly. 

Thanks  for the heads up on how fast dehydration can come on. He was sleeping a lot more than usual but has tears and is sweating a little at night.

Is he teething?

I suspect that he is.

Is his pee darker and less frequent or simply darker?  If it's less frequent, he could be entering a state of mild dehydration, if it's simply darker it could be from the addition of the solids.

I never thought about it being due to solids - this is a possibility. It has gone down in volume over the weeks and is getting darker since he started eating solids but his consumption is so minimal I would hardly call it eating. He does love to suck on satsumas so maybe it's those? Or he is just not getting enough milk.

Second, I'd drop everything for a few days, go to bed, drink an ton or water yourself and nurse round the clock.  Nurse, nurse, nurse, nurse, nurse.  Once you see the wet diapers go up, keep nursing for a bit longer to really cement things going well.

I've been petty much nursing him around the clock. I'm offering him all of the time, and through the nights. I'm drinking 3 liters of water. I can't go to bed during the day because he is so active he can't go to bed unless he is in deep sleep. The past few days he won't even allow me to put him into bed during the day when he naps, he'll just cry, so I have to hold him for all of his naps. It could be that something is going on with him (teething, etc) because this is unusual. He also will scream if I leave the room which is highly unusual, so there is something happening.

You may also want to drop the solids until this gets back under control and then re-introduce solids in a week or two.

He doesn't have more than 2 or 3 tiny nibbles of a banana, a suck on 2 wedges of satsuma and a nibble on a floret of broccoli or two. He uses dried banana to teethe on but doesn't really ingest it, maybe a shaving off of it. He sucks them and spits them out when he's bored of them. I would say the max he would eat in a day is 2 teaspoons, which is still a huge difference in his interest in solids as he wouldn't eat any solids at all before, but with such small amounts, I don't think it is impacting my supply or his nursing enough to remove them iykwim.

Also, it's never too late to learn a good latch.  I don't have a link for you, but can you google it on the web and watch a video of a great latch and then work with your son to improve his latch.

Great idea. I thought it would be too late so you've inspired me to get educated about this.

Good luck!

Thank you so much maddymama!!! xx

~maddymama

[mama9]

Originally Posted by PatioGardener 

If he isn't having 4-5 sopping wet diapers a day (that is 4-6 tablespoons of pee per diaper) then I would worry about dehydration.  Severe dehydration can really mess up their electrolytes - not something to 'wait and see' about at all.  If you are worried about dehydration, Dr Sears has a good info page: http://www.askdrsears.com/html/8/t081300.asp

If you are panicked, please take him to casualty or to the doctor today.

Thanks PatioGardener for the link and the advice. I will read up on it. I will take him in to casualty if I am at all suspicious that we have a potential emergency on our hands. Right now he seems to be okay. I will track him very carefully and closely regarding dehydration.

A huge aspect of my panicking is how am I to keep him nourished and hydrated with supply issues, refusal to drink to Neocate and an allergy to dairy? Donor milk is not an option after thinking about it for a while as it took me 9 months of EDing to tweak my milk through my diet so that he won't react to it.

I'm sure it will all get resolved one way or another. I just get these moments of despair.

Thank you again!!

xxx
 

[mama9]

Originally Posted by sosurreal09 

you are getting great advice! want to add make sure you are seriously eating as much as you can and drinking at least 10 cups of water!

does he have a temp at all? he could totally be teething or under the weather not drinking as much so its affecting you're supply. When my DD is sick or teething she wants the boob all day long but she doesnt drink it all she just nibbles or suckles, dont forget he can control that....

check his dipes and keep track of them or even go dipe free and count his pees.

Yes, I am SO grateful for you mamas

I am drinking a ton but eating as much as I can...no I'm not. It's hard to when he wants to nurse so much and can't handle me leaving the room. This with pumping and watching over him as he is mobile now....I'm only managing 2 meals per day and the stress from worrying is also hurting my supply, I'm sure. It's hard to leave the house some days. I will go pump, change him, and take him out for a nice long walk for fresh air right now.

He has been sweating during his sleeps and naps. I'll take his temp next time he naps. I think he is teething AND fighting something. He's never teethed without fevers, etc.

Wow, you hit it on the head about reminding me (nipple-control)! Could totally be that. Or I have slow let down issues bc yesterday I pumped 4 oz from the boob he has no patience for, although it takes me MUCH longer to get milk from there compared to the other one. I can see it - there are fewer sprays of milk jetting out compared to the other which has 3 x the jets. Could there be IGT in one boob?

I'm keeping a close eye on his dipes too.

Thank you so much!

xxx

[PatioGardener]

Originally Posted by mama9 

Originally Posted by PatioGardener 

If he isn't having 4-5 sopping wet diapers a day (that is 4-6 tablespoons of pee per diaper) then I would worry about dehydration.  Severe dehydration can really mess up their electrolytes - not something to 'wait and see' about at all.  If you are worried about dehydration, Dr Sears has a good info page: http://www.askdrsears.com/html/8/t081300.asp

If you are panicked, please take him to casualty or to the doctor today.

Thanks PatioGardener for the link and the advice. I will read up on it. I will take him in to casualty if I am at all suspicious that we have a potential emergency on our hands. Right now he seems to be okay. I will track him very carefully and closely regarding dehydration.

A huge aspect of my panicking is how am I to keep him nourished and hydrated with supply issues, refusal to drink to Neocate and an allergy to dairy? Donor milk is not an option after thinking about it for a while as it took me 9 months of EDing to tweak my milk through my diet so that he won't react to it.

I'm sure it will all get resolved one way or another. I just get these moments of despair.

Thank you again!!

xxx
 

Hang in there, Mama!

have you considered domperidone to bump up your supply?  with his sensitivities, having your milk for as long as possible seems to make the most sense.  domperidone has really helped many women to increase supply - it may work for you too.

as for one breast doing better than the other - i have that too.  i always try to start on the 'low' breast, and finish on it too, so it gets double stimulation.  it also works well for comfort nursing .

Sending milky vibes your way

[mama9]

Originally Posted by PatioGardener 

Originally Posted by mama9 

Originally Posted by PatioGardener 

If he isn't having 4-5 sopping wet diapers a day (that is 4-6 tablespoons of pee per diaper) then I would worry about dehydration.  Severe dehydration can really mess up their electrolytes - not something to 'wait and see' about at all.  If you are worried about dehydration, Dr Sears has a good info page: http://www.askdrsears.com/html/8/t081300.asp

If you are panicked, please take him to casualty or to the doctor today.

Thanks PatioGardener for the link and the advice. I will read up on it. I will take him in to casualty if I am at all suspicious that we have a potential emergency on our hands. Right now he seems to be okay. I will track him very carefully and closely regarding dehydration.

A huge aspect of my panicking is how am I to keep him nourished and hydrated with supply issues, refusal to drink to Neocate and an allergy to dairy? Donor milk is not an option after thinking about it for a while as it took me 9 months of EDing to tweak my milk through my diet so that he won't react to it.

I'm sure it will all get resolved one way or another. I just get these moments of despair.

Thank you again!!

xxx
 

Hang in there, Mama!

have you considered domperidone to bump up your supply?  with his sensitivities, having your milk for as long as possible seems to make the most sense.  domperidone has really helped many women to increase supply - it may work for you too.

as for one breast doing better than the other - i have that too.  i always try to start on the 'low' breast, and finish on it too, so it gets double stimulation.  it also works well for comfort nursing .

Sending milky vibes your way

Thanks for your great energy - I must have caught your milky vibes on my long walk with DS today as I got a lot of clarity on everything.
I realise that I have given my DS the best start in life and I am grateful that I was able to EBF him for 9 months despite the reflux we dealt with and the food sensitivities. I have everything to be happy about for this.
Whatever I don't make up in bm, I'll have to top up with Neocate. Whether he'll eventually take it or not is something else, but as he grows and becomes more interested in solid food I can reduce the formula and still keep up the bm, whatever I can produce. I'll pump when I feel like it is going down, when my period returns, when DS is not nursing so well, if I'm unwell, etc.
You are right in saying that he could use my bm for as long as possible due to his sensitivities. I will definitely consider domperidone if herbs, oats, etc, don't work for me.
Such great tips for my stray boob! Thanks very much!

[Super~Single~Mama]

I also LOVE to make and eat oatmeal chocolate chip cookies - they are an easy snack to have laying around, and are super tasty too!  And they have oats which help supply!  I make them using the "vanishing oatmeal raisin" recipe form the quaker oats box and substitute the raisins for chocolate chips (if you can't do chocolate they are still good with raisins!).

[mama9]

I love cookies too much! Trying to figure out a good substitute for dairy/gluten. I'll go post about this recipe in another forum. Thanks for the inspiration!

[PatioGardener]

How are things going, Mama?