let was down too fast, now milk running out! Help! Want to continue bf

[LittleMonkiesMum]

I posted last week ( here )about let down being too fast for 13 week DD, she was really struggling, and a couple of feeds a day were terrible. I tried one sided feeding for about 6 hours at a time, although I was sort of unintentionaly doing this a lot anyway as she has a favoured side, and we have to start off on favourite side and shift her over to other side. The supply is less in the disliked side, and we always have to finish feed on other side.
It's got a lot better now, she's not really struggled for a couple of days. Also I've tried infacol which I feel has helped.
The thing is now, I know it's early days, but she seems to be coping better with the fast let down, but after she has had finished the let down milk, she starts pulling and tugging as she doesn;t seem to be getting enough out. I feel like my milk supply is dropping severely. Last night I was feeding her, and she was getting seriously frustrated as there was no let down at all, I couldn't hand express much out either. I've had the same problem this am too, although through the night bf was OK. Last night I eventually gave her a bottle of formula. I know this isn;t the right thing to do from the point of view of my supply, but what should I do with a hungry baby and no bm? She's not even that keen on taking the bottle, she much prefers breast.
Know it's boring and complicated, but please can someone give me some ideas of how to deal with this?

[hercules1]

I dont know but have you tried phoning the NCt or La Leche for advice?

[Mum2FunkyDude]

It sometimes helps to put a warm cloth on your breast before feeding, or in my case I knew a warm bath got my milk going. When you hand express it helps to lean forward somewhat as gravity also plays a role.

You should relax, bm is a supply and demand thing. Baby will take as much as she needs now and that will automatically tell your brain how much to produce for the next feed.

HTH

[mrsflowerpot]

Just keep feeding would be my advice, (but am no expert - hopefully someone more qualified will be along soon) the more she feeds, the more milk you'll produce. Is there a breast feeding counsellor locally you could contact - or your midwife team? Mine said to me that they were happy to talk to me about breastfeeding any time after they had discharged me.

I'm sure you're not running out - maybe she's just got used to the fast let-down being easy for her and she's not liking having to work for the rest iyswim.

FWIW I could never hand express much after the initial let-down.

[lulumama]

from kellymom- re a fast let down

[coleyboy]

Don't doubt yourself - there is nothing wrong with your supply! I reckon dd has got used to a fast, instant and bountiful hit, and is getting frustrated at having to do some work!!

She'll get used to it, just like she got used to the fast let down.

If you really think you have a problem with your supply (which I really don't think is the case), put her on the breast every couple of hours for two days. This should up production - supply and demand and all that.

Also, just cos you can't express much, doesn't mean the milk isn't there. I know plenty of mums who only got a few dribbles when expressing. Accessing the milk via a machine doesn't work for everyone.

[tiktok]

Littlemonkies, supply is really not that fragile, you know...not after 13 weeks. But if you think your baby needs more milk, put her on the other breast, and/or feed her more often. This will ensure you make more very quickly, if indeed this is a supply issue.

[Jenkeywoo]

I think sometimes as your supply 'matures' you don't really feel the let-down in the same way - those first few weeks i could feel (and see) the milk gushing out everywhere but I stopped feeling the let-down eventually, now even if I have not fed for ages I barely feel it. DD did used to get annoyed having to work harder to get her milk but they do get used to it; have you tried breast compressions (will look for a link)- basically used for sleepy babies who fall asleep before finishing feeding but I found it very useful and still do now to get dd sucking enough to get the milk going. I'm sure as the others say that you do have milk it's just starting to feel differently now.

breastcompression

[LittleMonkiesMum]

Thanks all, Had nightmare day re feeding, it feels like DD has hardly fed today, but she just went for big gaps between feeds, she also had serious too-fast-letdown grumbles each time I tried to feed her. Can't see the wood for the trees atm so think will call a bfc next week.
Guess you must be right about supply being ok, thanks for reassurance and definitely right that dd doesn;t like having to work for the milk after letdown. Will try breast compressions tomorrow.
Cheers all x

[tinkerbellhadpiles]

Hello, I have my own little monkey, she's 6 months and I have always had exceptionally fast let down. It slowed down a bit by three months, but she still chokes on a regular basis, you just have to deal with it I think. I do find that making sure she is on her side when you feed her helps, I feed mostly lying down.

A word of warning though - don't do what I did and when feeding in coffee shops forget to keep an eye on your baby, she popped off and the milk sprayed everywhere including in the bloke on the next table's coffee.

Good luck - these trials are worth it in the end (esp. at 2am when you aren't faffing around with bottles!)

[badelaide]

lucky bloke...free latte!

[LittleMonkiesMum]

oh god, I know, I feel really embarassed when I'm spotted unintentionally sparying milk in to poor dds face, my mum got sprayed once too, but will keep eyes peeled when out and about. lol at milky coffee!!

[tinkerbellhadpiles]

Littlemonkeysmum - I once called the GP in a panic because I had sprayed into my DDs ears and I was worried it would do some harm. He PHSL at me and asked me if I minded calling the midwife and asking her because she was in a grotty mood and needed a laugh .

[LittleMonkiesMum]

lol ! Hope midwife suitably cheered!

[crayon]

I would say that you need to feed as regularly as she will take, as milk hanging around in the breast gives your brain the message to make less milk.

Also, make sure you are truly relaxed when you feed. I personally let down quicker and better if I am on here (!) or watching TV/reading a good book.

[crayon]

sorry about my reply - just realised you don't want fast let down!! In that case, don't feed on here, reading a good book or watching TV!