Can your letdown change over time?

[FedUpEffedOff]

My 18 week old has started behaving very differently when feeding. He used to enjoy suckling for long periods of time, particularly in the evenings, which I know is common.

However, over last two weeks he has started being very upset and fed whilst being put to the boob, he is only feeding for a few mins at a time, and then goes really red, scrunches himself up and needs burped frequently. Most of the time it involves tears too which is really upsetting for both of us as I feel like I'm harming him.

Absolutely nothing in my diet has changed - could my letdown have changed (ie sped up)? Is this even possible? I have PND and am really really struggling at the moment - I have no confidence in what I'm doing or being able to diagnose the problem.

[holidaylady]

Are you on a diet?
Are you a bit dehydrated?
These will affect your milk supply.

Drink more water, eat more fruit, and feed lots

[holidaylady]

Is he weeing and pooing normally?
He might be constipated

[Stuckforthefourthtime]

Mine have sometimes gone through these phases.
Often it's been to do with my hormones settling postnatally and particularly when my period is coming. Do you have your periods back yet?

Otherwise I'd do what the pps say about staying hydrated and also making sure that you can make feeding times as calm and undistracing as possible, in his favourite position - and try to get to him before he's really hungry and stressed out.

Do you have a local breastfeeding support group or La Leche League? They can be very helpful too, or also have helplines and online groups.

You're doing a great job, I've breastfed 4 now and it does go through phases, with hormones, their hunger, daily activities, teething, solids etc all affecting feeding, it doesn't mean that either of you are doing anything wrong. Hope it sorts soon!

[Stuckforthefourthtime]

Also - are you getting help with your pnd?
And one other thing, is that at this age many babies don't want to feed for long times any more, my 16 week old is on for 5 mins these days and only likes long feeds at bedtime when he feeds to sleep. They get very efficient!

[FedUpEffedOff]

Thank you all. I'm not eating differently and making a conscious effort to drink plenty of water.

I haven't got my period back yet.

I've been on an antidepressant for a while but am due to start a different one this week. I'm taking him to the doctor today about his eczema so will mention it. He just seems so unhappy these days and I spend all day now in tears too because I don't know how to cope with him.

[Stuckforthefourthtime]

That's good. Most gps don't know get lots of education about breastfeeding - it's really worth contacting your local la Leche League / mums group or even HV if they are supportive.

Sorry to hear you are upset, and don't blame yourself, babies do go through phases. Are you getting out of the house? It might cheer him up to see some new things, and tears out of the house never seem as loud. Are there baby groups at your local children's centre? Many of these also have e hvs or others who might be able to help, or at least other new mums going through some of the same things.

[FedUpEffedOff]

I'm going to an NCT workshop tomorrow about introducing solids (been booked for a while) and the NCT leader is a breastfeeding counsellor too so I'm hoping to pick her brain after class. If that doesn't help then I was going to try one of the helplines. We usually go out once a day but I'll admit it's a struggle, especially as he makes such a fuss feeding at the moment, I try not to feed outside the house.
I really appreciate you taking the time to reply and offer advice Thank you!

[holidaylady]

Definitely phone the NCT bf helpline, hope you get some improvement soon X

[Mimibie]

It might be teething has started. Is he putting his fingers in mouth even if he dosnt look hungry?
When theething starts gums swell & they dont drink much milk.my LO is 12 weeks & is not drinking asmuch as she used to at 1 st month. ts because her theething. She constantly syck fingers and wantsto chew on somthing.