Information overload, Help!

[purplemamaaz]

I don't know where to begin. I've read so much on the issue of "low supply" my brain is swimming. I think I'm overthinking my whole situation at this point and I'm not sure what to do. My DD is 3 1/2 months old and I think my supply is low. DD has been gaining well, she's currently about 15 lbs but in the past 2 weeks she seems to be more and more frustrated at the breast. I thought it was just going to last a few days until supply increased but it's been going on for a couple of weeks.

Here's what happens: I have a big "let down" in the first few minutes, she gulps it down then when it seems to be over she cries and pulls away from the breast over and over. Then she works and works for another let-down but it takes 5-10 minutes for another one and then sometimes there's a 3rd letdown but sometimes not. I have been supplementing with my own pumped milk about 2 ounces, once a day and only after feeding her for as long as she will stay on the breast. This happened with my sons around this age too. With DS#1 I was EPing so I just gave him more formula. With DS#2 I supplemented with formula which led to early weaning from the breast at 6 months. I don't want to go that way again.

I think I'm doing all the right things but I don't seem to be making more milk.
*I'm feeding on both sides each feeding
*We co-sleep
*I pump after meals (2-3 times a day, not every feed)
*I am pretty sure her latch is good
*I've been taking More Milk Plus
*I've been eating oatmeal

Is it time for maybe domperidone?

[Da WIC Lady]

Originally Posted by purplemamaaz

I don't know where to begin. I've read so much on the issue of "low supply" my brain is swimming. I think I'm overthinking my whole situation at this point and I'm not sure what to do. My DD is 3 1/2 months old and I think my supply is low. DD has been gaining well, she's currently about 15 lbs but in the past 2 weeks she seems to be more and more frustrated at the breast. I thought it was just going to last a few days until supply increased but it's been going on for a couple of weeks.

Here's what happens: I have a big "let down" in the first few minutes, she gulps it down then when it seems to be over she cries and pulls away from the breast over and over. Then she works and works for another let-down but it takes 5-10 minutes for another one and then sometimes there's a 3rd letdown but sometimes not. I have been supplementing with my own pumped milk about 2 ounces, once a day and only after feeding her for as long as she will stay on the breast. This happened with my sons around this age too. With DS#1 I was EPing so I just gave him more formula. With DS#2 I supplemented with formula which led to early weaning from the breast at 6 months. I don't want to go that way again.

I think I'm doing all the right things but I don't seem to be making more milk.
*I'm feeding on both sides each feeding
*We co-sleep
*I pump after meals (2-3 times a day, not every feed)
*I am pretty sure her latch is good
*I've been taking More Milk Plus
*I've been eating oatmeal

Is it time for maybe domperidone?

She could just be overwhelmed with the letdown. If she's gulping, she's prolly getting a huge gas bubble too. You can try some things to slow the effect of gravity. Put your feet up, lean back a little, or nurse her lying on your back with her on your chest belly to belly. The milk flow will even out a little more and she won't be fighting between feast and famine between letdowns.

I hope this helps. Sounds like you have plenty of milk, just a flow issue. Keep up the good work!

Anna

[Llyra]

Honestly, if it was me I'd lose the bottles. Completely. That kind of tugging when the milk slows down sounds like it could be nipple preference developing. Some kids are just really sensitive, and even one bottle a day is enough to start a preference. I have battled nipple confusion with two of my three, and I can say that if you lose the bottles entirely, it may resolve itself fairly quickly.

The other thing I thought of is that maybe the initial letdown is strong, and she needs a burp before continuing. But honestly, I think it sounds like she's frustrated with the normal slow-down in flow, after having bottles that flow constantly.

If she's gaining well, your supply is fine. Weight gain is the absolute indicator that baby is getting enough, isn't it?