Oversupply?

[satsuma]

For those of you who dealt with oversupply issues, how did you know? My son is going on 7 weeks and isn't the greatest nurser (loses suction and there's always a ton of milk all over the pillow at the end), but during a weighed feeding with an LC, he took in over 5 oz. It seemed like a typical nursing session so I think he usually takes in 4-5 oz. Thing is, he never seems satisfied and my breasts never feel empty. He has at least one green poop a day, but the LC said unless it was frothy then I shouldn't worry about foremilk/hindmilk imbalance. His other BMs are a burnt orange color. I'm not sure what to make of that. I feel like I've spent a fortune on LCs and breastfeeding support and I've gotten nowhere. We had weight gain issues in the beginning and so I was pumping and supplementing on the pediatrician's advice. Looking back, he was just on the low side of normal. Now he's putting on more than an ounce a day. Any advice? TIA.

[ijack]

an oz a day is great!! have you tried offering him a bottle after he nurses to see if he is truly hungry? If you're concerned about an imbalance I would only nurse one side per feeding. It will take your boobs a couple days to adjust (might need to pump a little for comfort), but that should help.

[Deleted]

I would guess he's just got a strong need to suck - he's not hungry after 4-5oz. The best thing for oversupply is to avoid pumping and just feed the baby at the breast (if you can). If you are away and must pump, don't pump to empty more than once a day. If the baby isn't fully draining the breast, it will eventually signal your body to make less. If you aren't having issues (plugged ducts and mastitis), it's not a problem.

Do you usually feed one side or both sides? Do you take him off to switch after X minutes? Try feeding one side only (relatch to the same side if he comes off and still seems hungry). If that doesn't help, try feeding the same side for 2 feeds in a row.

I don't think you need more LC time, but you might really benefit from a breastfeeding support group or La Leche meeting, both of which are generally free.

kellymom.com/bf/got-milk/supply-worries/fast-letdown/

Oh - and will he take a paci? That might help.

[zeewifeandmama]

Jul 19, 2012 14:38:32 GMT -5 @tokenhoser said:

I would guess he's just got a strong need to suck - he's not hungry after 4-5oz. The best thing for oversupply is to avoid pumping and just feed the baby at the breast (if you can). If you are away and must pump, don't pump to empty more than once a day. If the baby isn't fully draining the breast, it will eventually signal your body to make less. If you aren't having issues (plugged ducts and mastitis), it's not a problem.

Do you usually feed one side or both sides? Do you take him off to switch after X minutes? Try feeding one side only (relatch to the same side if he comes off and still seems hungry). If that doesn't help, try feeding the same side for 2 feeds in a row.

I don't think you need more LC time, but you might really benefit from a breastfeeding support group or La Leche meeting, both of which are generally free.

kellymom.com/bf/got-milk/supply-worries/fast-letdown/

Oh - and will he take a paci? That might help.

I only have one hand free, but this was basically what I was going tp type. GL to you!

[bunch]

Block feeding made a world of difference for us. Check Kellymom

[satsuma]

Jul 19, 2012 14:38:32 GMT -5 @tokenhoser said:

I would guess he's just got a strong need to suck - he's not hungry after 4-5oz. The best thing for oversupply is to avoid pumping and just feed the baby at the breast (if you can). If you are away and must pump, don't pump to empty more than once a day. If the baby isn't fully draining the breast, it will eventually signal your body to make less. If you aren't having issues (plugged ducts and mastitis), it's not a problem.

Do you usually feed one side or both sides? Do you take him off to switch after X minutes? Try feeding one side only (relatch to the same side if he comes off and still seems hungry). If that doesn't help, try feeding the same side for 2 feeds in a row.

I don't think you need more LC time, but you might really benefit from a breastfeeding support group or La Leche meeting, both of which are generally free.

kellymom.com/bf/got-milk/supply-worries/fast-letdown/

Oh - and will he take a paci? That might help.

I try to get him to finish on one side, but I think he sometimes gets frustrated by the slower flow at the end. We haven't tried a pacifier yet just because of all the breastfeeding difficulties we've had. Would a pacifier encourage a stronger suck or would it interfere with feeding him from the breast? Thanks!

I'll have to check out a LLL meeting. I've been meaning to do that.

[curbsideprophet]

I would try feeding from just one side at a time if you are not already doing so. I would avoid pumping for now if you can and just let the baby nurse to help regulate your supply.

[Deleted]

Putting off a pacifier is good if you're having latch issues - it uses a different latch/suck than breastfeeding, and some babies do have a problem going back and forth between paci and boob. If you feel like his latch is doing well now, you can try a paci. We "gave in" around 2 weeks, and it didn't cause us any issues. It did help to have another trick in the toolbox to make him happy.

An occasional green poo isn't a big deal. Don't worry about that if things are otherwise going okay.