Windy, pooy problems with breastfed baby

[Racers]

DD2 is just under 6 weeks old and started showing signs of real discomfort in her tummy at around 3 weeks. Following some tips on Kellymom I thought I'd cracked it but she's really uncomfortable again and it's so tiring and distressing to see.

What I've been doing is feeding from one side over a period of a few hours, before switching to the other side. I also have a very fast letdown which causes her to gasp and gulp and cry, so I've tended to feed lying down or raise her up where possible (again, from advice on kellymom)

Looking at the archives I've seen Tiktok suggest sticking to one side for up to 6 hours so maybe it is time to give that a try, rather than just for 2-4 hours? I think I just need reassurance (esp from Tiktok if you're there).

I'm also feeling a bit confused about the poo stituation as I'd read on kellymom that even a tiny bit of poo in a nappy was classed as a bowel movement, so we have a few of those a day, but also once a week have had an explosion of spurting, almost sludgy poo, (not the sweet smelling yellow stuff DD1 produced) preceeded by lots of crying and discomfort.

Any advice? Thanks

[tiktok]

Deffo worth doing the 6 hour thing, Racers, if your dd is thriving and gaining weight, of course.

[Racers]

Yes, she is doing brilliantly - gained 3lbs in 5 weeks (5lb 14 birthweight). Thanks! Does the poo situation sound ok (never thought I'd say that to a stranger, though I've read that much of your advice over the years, you don't feel like one!)

[Racers]

Tiktok, can I also ask how this works? I understood it to be the lactose-rich foremilk which could be causing this discomfort (or at least, a higher proportion of this to hindmilk - partly because she feeds very quickly then nods off) but I don't quite understand how sticking to one side helps as I know my breasts are never 'drained' as such? I assumed each time DD2 fed, whichever breast, she would 'start' with the foremilk as soon as a let down occured? Or does a let down not happen until it needs to? I should know really, as I have a surge of discomfort when it happens, but I think I may not have noticed if it has come one one side only, since I've been sticking to one side at a time, if that makes sense. Sorry if not, brain a bit frazzled by frequent night feeding (all perfectly normal, I know!)

I'm not doubting what I've read, by the way, and will certainly give it a try for a longer period, I'm just a bit confused and prefer to know the ins and outs of what's going on. Am also in a state of constant wonder about breastfeeding and what an amazing process it is and am keen to learn all I can.

[tiktok]

Racers, check out kellymom on this.

Full, generously-lactating breasts have milk which is proportionately lower in fat (and higher in lactose). The baby takes a large volume of this milk, filling his tum. The milk is still good stuff, and the baby gets loads of it - grows brilliantly well but also suffers from the windy consequences of these proportions.

'Block nursing' plain and simple reduces the supply. So the breasts are not as full when the baby comes to them...not as full = less lactose.

Lots of people think that when the baby comes to the breast every time he has to get through a certain amount of foremilk before reaching the hindmilk - sort of drilling down Not true!

The stuff on foremilk and hindmilk has been so badly misunderstood

[Racers]

oh my, reducing supply sounds scary! That said, I guess as she is feeding every 1-3 hours, I'm not at risk of overdoing any reduction in supply?

The thing is my breasts don't feel all that full most of the time. I'm not worried as I'd equate it to how they were after a couple of months with DD1 - they just respond to DD's needs as and when. I can feel a let down but not feel engorged if DD(2) doesn't feed straight away. Since my first message I've stuck to one side though have felt let down on both sides, the non-feeding side isn't uncomfortable. I suppose I have to have faith in the supply being there as long as DD2 is feeding. And, at the moment at least, she's not got a dummy or anything so there's no risk of that interfering.

All very enlightening, thanks!