I am "breastfeeding through pumping" because of difficulties with getting my newborn to latch on & stay latched because I have an Over Active Let-Down. With support we're (very) slowly making progress towards getting my son to nurse.
In addition to having an overactive let-down, I have an overabundant milk supply, (his stools have recently become much more watery, green instead of yellow, and he's become much more gassy).
I've read tips on how to decrease milk-supply but none of them address the issue of my son getting too much foremilk and not enough hindmilk when he gets fed (I'm sure the problem would be the same if he was nursing instead of getting a bottle). How can I reduce my milk supply while making sure that my son is getting enough hindmilk?
My local LLL & hospital & was told to just pump & throw out the first 1-2 oz. so he gets hindmilk. This will make my milk supply higher not lower & I'll have to keep doing this until I stop nursing. Is there anyway to fix both?
2007-03-02 12:12:47 · 8 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Newborn & Baby
Mina_Lumina - breastfeeding isn't really an option...my son has latched on TWICE in the past week...like I said, we're working on it, but the consultants told me to expect progress to go slow...
Jessica - sorry to hear you're having the opposite problem...want some of mine? :-) I'll definately try your suggestions...maybe someone else can give me some better advice.
Melissa S - When I said I'm talking to my local LLL that's La Leche League...they've been unbelievably unhelpful in this whole thing...I've even called other counties to get help from other people, & it's no better there... is it really okay to let my baby just get the foremilk for a few days while my body tries to fix this? Can you provide me with some "proof" like a reference or source or something? I just want to be sure I'm doing something healthy for my baby before i change anything...
2007-03-02 12:39:58 · update #1
mystic_eye_cda - reading the links you gave me (and following them to other pages) has led me to decide to try pumping lower amounts but much more frequently...
"A woman's breast really only makes one type of milk, the higher-fat milk that we typically think of as hindmilk. As milk is produced in the breast, the fat globules in the milk tend to stick to each other and to the walls of the alveoli (where the milk is made). Between feedings, milk collects in mom's breasts and gradually moves out toward the nipple, leaving more and more of the fat "stuck" further back in the milk ducts. The more time between feedings, the lower the fat content of the foremilk available to baby at the beginning of the feeding"
Sounds like this may be the solution for me...
2007-03-02 12:44:56 · update #2
Breast massage before pumping and compression during pumping (meaning you will only be able to do one side at a time) will increase the amount of fat.
http://www.kellymom.com/newman/15breast_compression.html
http://www.kellymom.com/nutrition/milk/change-milkfat.html
2007-03-02 12:39:05 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Pump once or twice to get a supply for your son, then go off feeding at all for a little while (meaning several hours, not days). Then breastfeed. and stick with it. It should even out to where you are producing as much as your son needs, but you may be making too much right now because of how much stimulation your nipples are getting to try and get him to latch in the first place. Don't worry if he doesn't get the hindmilk at first... the foremilk is good enough and the less the hindmilk is getting drained, the less milk you will be producing overall as your body realises it's making too much. Quite often the draining of the hindmilk is what tells your body to produce more in the first place. Stick with it, it will even out soon.
2007-03-02 12:22:47 · answer #2 · answered by mina_lumina 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Check the link below for a good description of fore and hind milk.
http://www.kellymom.com/bf/supply/foremilk-hindmilk.html
Now, I didn't read this anywhere and I don't have any experience with this problem, but I think this makes sense knowing what I know about breastmilk production.
Perhaps you could pump both breasts until you are not getting much anymore. Then, a short time later (1/2 as long as you normally wait to pump again), pump again, but for a shorter period of time. Continue pumping for a short period of time, but frequently.
Based on the article below, your pumped milk should have a higher fat content due to pumping frequently. Based on supply and demand, you might start to see less milk production, since you are removing less milk from the breast.
However, I could be wrong, and it might increase your milk supply, which I know is not what you want. You may need to decide to tackle one problem at a time.
Good luck. Hope your son gets back to the breast soon! (If it's not going well and you need some inspiration for pumping, check out http://www.kellymom.com/bf/supply/foremilk-hindmilk.html)
2007-03-02 12:56:08 · answer #3 · answered by nova147_01 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I've had the same problem. My son is 7 weeks old and my letdown is so strong itis painful. I've worked with a lactation consultant at my hospital and was given some good tips.
The tips that helped me the most are listed at this website: http://www.kellymom.com/bf/supply/fast-letdown.html
I used these tips and my milk supply evened out in about 3 days time.
I also use a nipple shield, under the consultation of my lactation consultant. It helps prevent the letdown from spraying directly down his throat and helps him latch on, but I have inverted nipples as well. He still gets gagged on the letdown occasionally but it doesn't deter him from latching right back on.
Good Luck and don't give up!
2007-03-02 13:23:35 · answer #4 · answered by ist_bobbi 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Wow. I wish I had that problem. I have the exact opposite. My body refuses to make enough milk, even with medication (my mother had the same problem with all of her kids).
I would suggest talking to your OB and the babies pediatrician. They were much better helps then the Leche league and hospital when I had my girls.
Also, you could find out if there is a local doula that could give you some options. They often have a lot of homeopathic type remedies for pregnancy/nursing that the Leche league and doctors never mention.
2007-03-02 12:24:20 · answer #5 · answered by Raising6Ducklings! 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
well i have breastfed all 5 of my children but I'm no expert it sounds like you are pumping too much to me, the more you pump the more your body will make, you should only pump around the amount the baby eats, your body will work the rest out, maybe the baby will get too much of the for-milk for a day or two but then it will equal out, i disagree with the person you are talking to and recommend you call your local lelecha (spelled wrong), group and ask them it is free
2007-03-02 12:26:11 · answer #6 · answered by melissa s 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
well I have an idea to help when it comes to nursing with an overactive let down....lathc baby on in the 'football' hold ...also known as 'French bread hold" and lean back...like you are sitting in a reclyner....this way, milk has to flow up hill, and baby wont gag and sputter as much. Good Luck hang in there!
2007-03-02 13:34:28 · answer #7 · answered by motherhendoulas 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Is there any chance that your son may be tongue-tied? My son had problems latching on and this ended up being the problem. His doctor didn't check until I asked and once we figured out the problem having his tongue clipped was a very simple process.
2007-03-03 10:10:50 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋