Hey Mamas,
I've been nursing constantly with my son, who will be turning a whopping 3 weeks old tomorrow. Things were going great, I wasn't even hurting, and I was so surprised (read my question archives and you'll get the backstory if you're interested)
But for the last 3 days he has been very grouchy and fussy when nursing. I have noticed a distinct difference in my breasts' size and fullness, they just don't seem as tight as they were. My son latches on and nurses for a few minutes, but then begins to stiffen up, pull back, clamp down, let go and cry, latch back on and start the process all over again.
We are not on a schedule, he basically just eats whenever he wants, which was fine, but now he never wants me to put him down. I don't know much about nursing, although this is my second child... but it seems to me that he is not getting enough milk, and my milk is seemingly drying up... at least thats the only obvious conclusion I have been able to come to.
I am taking fenugreek and an herbal tea, and I drink a lot of water and watered down juice/Gatorade... but it hasn't changed anything yet... Anybody been through anything similar? I don't understand. I was told if I nurse him my body will make what he needs. The exact opposite is happening. Is it possible that I have some kind of physical problem/disorder type thing? Does anything like that even exist or am I doing something wrong?
Thanks!
Just clarifying -
There is no 'gush' or steady stream of milk. If I squeeze firmly I can get a slow 3 or 4 drops.
I don't drink cows milk, we are a vegan family - BUT we do eat a lot of veggies and I may have caused a bit of gassiness... that makes a lot of sense to me.
the herbal tea is "Mother's Milk" and made for nursing mothers to help lactation.
i talked to his pediatrician, who suggests that I talk to my own doctor to look into hypogalactia and other related biological disorders in the female breast. i;m posting this because i seem to have gotten a renowned amount of responses saying that its fine and to keep going and nothing is wrong - but i feel that something is wrong, because there is not much milk coming out.... when i express with my hands, you would think there would be more than just a few little drops/squirts... but no. And the last time a pumped i barely got 1/2 ounce from each breast - thats only 1 to 1.5 oz. per feeding! thats insane!!
i am going into the doctor early next week, hopefully i can get some answers.
Reflux starts at about 3 weeks. What you're describing when he's eating sounds like the same "quiet reflux" I had with both kids. No major puke, but pain when they ate. Ask the pediatrician - they may want him to take medicine.
I don't think the issue is your milk drying up- especially if you're drinking plenty of water and nursing on demand.
He might just be entering the "purple crying" phase- usually starts around a month old and can go until they're two or three months.There isn't much you can do for the crying, just keep nursing or at least offering it.
It also might be baby gas. Have you ever checked out a book at the library on infant massage? It can work wonders for the little pains they get (think TINY little intestines that haven't been around that long), and really helps with the fussiness.
If he's stiffening up, it sounds more like pain not lack of milk. I'd try to cut back on drinking cow milk (if you do) and give the infant massage a try.
You're doing fabulously, momma. I'm so proud of you for giving the breastfeeding a go! Keep it up! :) :) :)
It's normal at about 3 weeks for your breasts to stop feeling so full because they are getting used to being full and your body is regulating the milk better. Also around three weeks is a growth spurt for baby when they will tend to nurse frequently. Sounds like you are exactly on course. Do not give a formula supplement as that will cause your milk supply to go down. Check in with La Leche League and make an appointment to check your baby's weight at the pediatrician. Good luck!
He may have gas.
Do you burp him?
Or try Mylicon infant gas drops.
When a baby stiffens/cries, it can sometimes mean that they have gas.
Or the let-down is strong... so then the baby releases their latch... then re-latches. It is the baby not able to or getting used to the let-down as the milk squirts out or gushes out.
3 weeks is also a growth-spurt time in a newborn. Every 3 weeks is a growth-spurt time in a newborn... then at 3 months, 6 months, every 3 months.
But yes, continue to feed on-demand... because your breasts will produce milk according to his nursing frequency and amounts.
Newborns also 'cluster-feed' which means they will even nurse every single hour... but is normal and reflects their changing growth etc. And the body is supposed to produce milk accordingly.
Are you sure... your milk production is inadequate?
Ask a Lactation Consultant.
The longer you breastfeed, the breasts will not feel full/tight/big... because the body is adjusting. This is normal.
all the best,
Susan
Check out La Leche League www.llli.org I belive, if not google it. Great site with great tips and ideas to specific questions. Also you may want to try a glass of beer lactation nurse recommended it to my mom 16 years ago and to my SIL 6 months ago so it must work. Dont give up.
Sounds like he may in pain. Keep in mind that what you eat, baby eats. SO, watch out for spicy or gassy foods like brocoli. Also, ask lactation expert about the herbal tea. Not everything herbal is good for baby. There are lactaion groups and discussion boards on Babaycenter.com that you may find supportive and helpful. And I strongly urge you, as the other moms did, not to supplement with formula. You really will dry up that way. Don't give up. It's such a wonderful thing to be able to give baby that one on one time and health benefits. Good Luck Mama and Bon Apetit!
I see that other moms have answered that your body will make as much milk as your baby needs. Not always true. My milk supply decreased suddenly when my 2nd one was about 2 months old. Up until that point, she was solely breastfed. Then, just like your kiddo, she started getting fussy, etc. By the end of day two, she was miserable so I gave her a bottle of formula and she ate like she hadn't eaten in two days! (well, she kind of hadn't). I tried pumping, drinking more, etc to try to increase supply and nothing. In fact, I quit nursing at that point cold turkey and my breasts didn't even feel full or anything. Very weird. I asked my doctor about it and he just didn't have an answer for me other than maybe I was under an undue amount of stress with having two little ones . . . I did nurse my third with no problems.
I hope that you are able to solve the problem - just wanted you to know that it does happen once in awhile.
Good luck!
Your milk is not drying up. It is a supply and demand thing, the more he nurses the more milk you will have. Your breasts will loose that full feeling after a few weeks, you are getting used to having the milk in your breasts. If you go for several hours without pumping or nursing you will feel the fullness again.
Little babies love to be carried, do you have a sling or a baby carrier? He was carried for 9 months and still loves that closeness with Mommy :)
Find a lactation consultant - breastfeeding is natural, but not necessarily easy. They can help you figure out if he has latch issues, etc. or if you need to change your diet or whatever. They can be a HUGE help. Good luck!
I had problems when I first started. A nurse told me to use a hand pump every fifteen minutes. It really increased flow. Up your protein intake, you are a mammal. and remember what you eat and drink, like onions, can flavor your milk.
I'm nursing my 5th baby and they all would go through stages where they're not getting enough or want to nurse constantly. My body always adjusts to their demands. If he cries all the time, won't nurse at all, seems dehydrated or is losing weight, then those are signs that something is wrong. Good luck and congratulations! My son is 10 weeks now... =)
You're losing that engorged feeling because your body is responding to his demand. My friend's daughter just did the same thing, with the twisting and grunting. It's almost certain that your supply is FINE. He might not like having to work for letdown, so if you can, do a couple of breast compressions to help the milk get going when you latch him on. Directions are on kellymom.com. Kellymom is an excellent resource! It explains all of this kind of thing.
Pumping is NEVER a good indication of supply. A pump does not empty the breast the same way or as efficiently as a baby! Don't let that be your gauge.
As long as you're still seeing wets and poops, your supply is fine. Don't immediately go to formula unless you want to sabotage yourself. Call LLL and get some help in person. You can do it!
Firstly I would have thought it was just that you and baby are settling into the breatfeeding so your breast will not feel full as often unless you go for an extended time between feeding.
The reason baby may be fractious or not feeding properly is infant reflux. Having had 3 out of four boys with it. The sooner you explain the symptoms to your doctor the better.
Reflux babies want to feed regularly as it helps wash the acid back down and stop the burning and also being held is always a preferred way for these babies as they are elevated so reducing the pressure of reflux.
Raising the bed helps, Losec capsules are my savour and even my 21 month old is still taking them.
Simply break the capsule open, drop the granules on babies tongue and shringe some water into the mouth to wash down. I even put the granules in and then put baby on breast to wash down. Whatever works best for you.
This is only another idea to consider but I do wish you well with your journey.
