sleepy, "lazy" nurser - will it get better?

[seahorsie]

My ds is 7 weeks old now, and my supply seems to have slowed considerably. The reasons I think are: my supply is supposed to change at this time; ds was sick with a cold all week so was sleeping a lot instead of bfing; I had an overabundance up until 2 days ago which caused ds to adopt a laid-back style of bfing - basically he just lies back & lets the milk pour in, minimal sucking, poor latch. Now that my milk has slowed, he has to work harder at getting milk, which he has no idea how to do. So - on Friday, he freaked-out when he couldn't get any milk from me & screamed all day. In a panic, I bought formula & he drank 4 oz. I was devastated! I gulped down as much Mother' Milk tea as I could, & took a hot shower & supply improved slightly, but without ds's help, the milk supply dwindles. So I got a Medela pump today, just to keep my supply going until I figure out what to do. (plus have fed him some of it - I'm so scared he will starve!) I am so new to this scenario - my first dd was an incredibly great bf-er, I was very lucky - she nursed for 3.5 years, now I see she deserves a lot of the credit. My question is, what are my options? I am looking into a bf-ing meeting tomorrow with my Birth Center. Can ds actually learn how to latch & suck at this point? How? I am so stressed about it & it makes me sad - bfing was such a joy with dd, now it's causes me worry. Will bottlefeeding confuse him? :

[MaryJaneLouise]

Please relax, it will be OK.

Sounds like in person help is what you need. It is weird for both mom and babe to transition from an oversupply to a "normal" supply, but it is entirely possible. Please check in with the LCs at your birth center, or call a LLL leader, or find some other help to evaluate his latch.

Yes, bottlefeeding MIGHT confuse him, so it is best to limit that. Pumping might be necessary temporarily to keep up your supply, if he is refusing the breast entirely.

In the mean time this might be useful:

http://www.kellymom.com/bf/concerns/...to-breast.html

Please let us know how your meeting goes :

[pugmommy7]

ITA,relax. tension will only make it worse.
try to pump between feedings and keep at it. work on his latch until you guys get it comfortable. If you get to a meltdown point,feed him pumped milk(or better yet ask SO to do it,and pump again. eventually it will click.)
I have been there!
Youe supply will not go away overnight,and the pumping will help.
He will develop the skills he needs,even if he has to have a few bottles of ebm.

my dd who still nurses at 2.5 years,had a weak suckle, but we got through it and i never knew a baby who loved to nurse as much as she!
you can do it. take it one feeding at a time.
hugs,
Jen

[seahorsie]

You know, it's funny, he will not take a bottle from me so far - only dh. That just adds to my stress since dh is not home until the evening. The latch & sucking seems to be getting worse, if the milk isn't there immediately for him when he goes to the breast, then he screams & won't even try to nurse. The only time nursing seems to go ok is while we're in bed at night. So far I have to pump once a day, then bottlefeed once. Pee & bm's seem normal for him still. Wasn't able to get in touch with anyone yesterday, trying again today. Does LLL charge a lot $ for an LC?

[MaryJaneLouise]

LLL is free, the leaders are all volunteers :

http://www.lalecheleague.org/resourc...nce.html?m=0,0

Check there for phone #s in your area.

When you talk to them, be sure to tell them EVERYTHING. What you are saying about him nursing better laying down makes me wonder if he has reflux. Is he more comfortable in general sitting up, like in a sling or bouncy chair, than laying down? Does he arch his back and scream during feedings?

My reflux boy only nursed laying down for months, now he is going strong

Here's info on reflux from kelly mom:


http://www.kellymom.com/babyconcerns/reflux.html