Wtf is going on with my milk supply?!!

[Neero]

AIBU to be totally exhausted and fed up? My DS is 10 weeks old and it's taken this long to finally get the hang of breastfeeding. Then suddenly out of nowhere my milk supply is crazy. My boobs ass squirting everywhere in 3 different directions. DS can't feed and is filling himself up with air. He can't even latch on properly anymore. He then cries and gets hysterical. I worry he isn't getting enough.

How can you go from having it nailed to it all falling apart in 2 days?

Can anyone help as not sure what to do and my DS is miserable :(

Boobs ass squirting everywhere? Wtf!

Boobs ARE squirting everywhere.

It's hard isn't it but it does get better.

It sounds like your boobs are getting quite full which is normal. Are they feeling quite full and hardish all over? Hard in one spot is a sign of mastitis but hard all over just means full. If they are very full, it can make it difficult for your baby to get a proper latch.

Try expressing a little milk before feeding. Just enough to make your boobs feel a bit softer. This will reduce the squirting and help your baby latch.

Your supply will settle and get into a rhythm with your baby.

Oh my, I know exactly what you mean! Can you try express for a minute or two before baby tries to latch on? Even just manually squeeze for a few moments? It takes the pressure off and reduces the hosepipe spray effect!

Well done though op - it can be such a tough job and it sounds like if it has all finally clicked then everyone (I mean your boobs) just need to sort themselves out for a few days.

oh no! If you have an oversupply for some reason, as a temporary measure nipple shields could help stem the flow for him, make it easier for him to get the milk out at his own pace? (They are also reputed to lower supply over time as baby can't drain the breast as efficiently, but this may make you uncomfortable - hopefully someone more qualified than me will be along.)

Mine did this around 12 weeks. It started to settle around 15 weeks. could you pump off a little before a feed to make it easier for LO?

Just express a little just before a feed to soften the pressure. It is a good thing well done

Please try to avoid nipple shields as they can cause all sorts of issues for you and your baby. They actually change the way the baby latches which means it can be difficult for the baby to feed without them. As Pandarific says they can also affect milk supply because they reduce efficiency. They can also cause thrush because they keep the area damp.

They aren't really designed for this sort of issue anyway.

I've never had a mum actually need them. I know some women find them very helpful. If you think you have a reason to use them, have a chat with a breastfeeding expert first.

Has your baby been feeding a bit more lately? Perhaps he's having a bit of a growth spurt and your supply has over-compensated! Look up a video demonstration of hand expressing and do as PPs suggested and express for a couple of minutes before feeding to reduce the force of the letdown.

It sounds like you're doing a really great job though so keep on keeping on!

My DD is 7 weeks and I have oversupply/fast let down issues especially if she’s given me a longer than usual break. Advice from the specialist breastfeeding nurse was to recline / lay back as far as possible so the baby was face down and gravity was taking the milk away from her rather than boring it into her mouth - the extreme of this is ‘biological nurturing’ - google it, DD couldn’t latch herself the way she is supposed to be able to but at 10 weeks your baby might be more successful but even if you latch them, then lean back. Also make sure their bottom is as far below their head as possible so they are lying closer to vertical than horizontal, also makes it easier for them.

Pouring it into her mouth, not boring!

Should have said - beleive it or not this is a good thing! It's a sign that you're doing a great job. 😊

I had a super fast let down that squirted everywhere. I would let it scoosh into a Muslin when I was letting down and then latch the babies on.

I really recommend a breastfeeding group the women who run them are so knowledgeable and it's a great way to meet new mum's and feel you aren't alone. There's also la Leche league online which I found great for support.

However having said all that. If you are miserable and really not enjoying it. It's okay to stop if you have had enough and are really sure that's what you want to do. I wish someone had said that to me when I was struggling with my third child feeding every half hour and looking after my other two (he was 9lb 9.5 at birth and fed sooo much and grew like a weed).

Definitely going to try the leaning back thing. Thank you!

He's utterly miserable :( was just scared he would get dehydrated. There's so much pressure to start using bottles but I really don't want to unless it's totally necessary...

@ShesABelter I'll probably be told off for this but I don't think it is ok to give up because it makes you miserable. I just think people need more and better support and need to know where to find it. After reading all of the benefits of breast feeding for my DS (and me) I would absolutely not give up unless I had to.

I have no issue with those who want to bottle or formula feed, but morally for me I can't see myself stopping breastfeeding. Though I would definitely express and use a bottle down the line if that's what you mean!

I can imagine I may think differently however if I had other kids to look after. I even find it hard when my DSD (7) is here!

@JumpingJunipersBatman I need the nipple shields. wish I didn't, but then I'm an awkward case - not to derail op's thread, but if you're a lactation consultant or similar I've got a thread going, would love your input.

I have oversupply of milk and a 10 week old, every day feels like day three right now too!

I tend to get up early and completely drain my breasts else my baby gets horrible wind from gulping too much air. It'll even out eventually but in the meantime I'm building up a good freezer stash!