Another question about breastfeeding...

This might be TMI, but did anyone have the problem of having too much milk? Kiera is having problems swallowing quick enough and the milk is coming in to fast for her to get. She's only going for about 7-10 minutes on each as a result. I feel that she's getting enough because she's content and her diapers are always full. But the feeding is harder because she gets frustrated and upset with how quick the milk comes in.

Does anyone have advice on what to do? We've been feeding her every 2-3 hours, should I try to stretch out the feedings so I'm not producing as much milk? Is there anything I can do while feeding her to control how quickly the milk comes out?

I appreciate any advice and welcome any suggestions at this point.

Re: Another question about breastfeeding...

You could pump some before hand then nurse her. Your supply will regulate itself eventually. Just keep on the 2-3 hour thing till that happens.

Re: Another question about breastfeeding...

Should I wake her up for her feedings during the day or should I let her tell me when she wants to eat?

Re: Another question about breastfeeding...

If you are feeling engorged, pump. I would wake her up if it was more than 4 hours. Other rule, never wake a sleeping baby unless you REALLY need to.

Re: Another question about breastfeeding...

When we took the breastfeeding class the instructor told us to get the baby on a schedule right away by feeding every 2-3 hours, even if it means waking her up. Just don't wake her up during the night. So that's what we were doing but I'm starting to realize that it is too much for her. So we decided tonight that we're going to do on demand feedings. But we're not going to let her go more than 4 hours.

I hope this will help the problem?

Re: Another question about breastfeeding...

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Posted by kptoys

If you are feeling engorged, pump. I would wake her up if it was more than 4 hours. Other rule, never wake a sleeping baby unless you REALLY need to.

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I don't feel engorged at all. It's just the matter of her not being able to handle the flow.

Re: Another question about breastfeeding...

I never put Emma on a schedule. She was always a on demand kinda kid. As long as you arent engorged you should be fine. Your let down must be intense Do you leak? I would pump some before, its not the fatty milk at that point, just the colestrum which has all the antibodies in it. (I would bottle that for later feedings).

Re: Another question about breastfeeding...

Yes the let down is quite unique.

I'm not leaking, or if I am it's not a lot. I've been wearing pads and I haven't noticed anything. The last couple of feedings I've tried to express some milk before so that she gets the better milk. But I'm not sure how long to do that for?

Re: Another question about breastfeeding...

just do it every time you feed her and your body should take a few week to a month to get the supply down pat.

Re: Another question about breastfeeding...

There are women who have a quick let-down and the baby cannot handle that much milk so quickly. You should pump for 2-3 minutes to get the intial let-down and then put the baby to the breast.
A LC might also be a good person to call about this issue.
The baby needs to eat every 2-3 hours in the beginning but if there is a 4 hour nap once a day I would worry about that as much. I just wouldn't do that very often thru the day. Your supply needs the baby to latch in order to continue.