Fast let down, feel like giving up...

[what2eatwhenurbored]

I wondered if anyone experiencing fast let down found and improvement with time?

DS is 9 weeks and we spent the weekend with a friend and her 20 week DD. My friend was shocked at how much of a struggle it was to feed (approx 70% of feeds) and I realise I can't go on like this much longer.

I manage by surrounding myself in towels and putting bib or muslin on DS then after he latches I remove him and catch fountain of milk in container while trying to prop DS up to stop vomiting and discomfort. I can get 60ml/min without even needing to hand express much. Relatch DS and hope he settles enough to continue feeding. Sometimes he's too scared to go back on and I have to feed expressed milk or wait a while.

I am stuck in Argentina awaiting DH return from work in Asia and in less than 4 weeks we move to Scotland via home in London. I know then I will have support locally from HV and groups. There is literally nothing here (i dont want to take up space explaining further but its very isolated here, no post, nothing) so I manage with La Leche League online email support and u tube clips.

The only thing I tried this week was breast shields, one good feed followed by several bad with tricky latch and more crying and leaking.

I am basically at the end of my tether changing my clothes several times a day and in the night when I'm so so tired I want to cry and I finish what seemed a good feed to discover DS has drunk as though it were a drinking fountain and let the excess spill onto bed, nightie, babygro etc

Any advice welcome for a very soggy Mum. MN were so supportive when I first posted concerns about BF following my history of abuse in childhood, I'd hate to give up now when I've tried so hard.

Thanks for reading

Are breast shields the only thing you have tried (they are generally not recommended in your situation as far as I know)?

There are lots of good tips to try, like block nursing. If you let us know what you have tired I am sure someone more knowledgeable can help.

ps Sorry you are having such a hard time.

OP - sorry to read about this really bad struggle :( :(

Have LLL talked to you about block nursing?

This can often work wonders in your situation. It is because overactive let down is often the same issue as over supply.

Not sure what the rationale for the breast shields is (or what they are....) - if you mean nipple shields, I don't get it, and if you mean breast shells I don't get it either :)

Post back and say if you have tried block nursing.

Guessing you used breast shells to catch the extra milk? I had LOADS of milk so remember the washing and smell of milk well. I can't tell you when I stopped being a milky mess but it did happen.

Things that helped. Feeding little and often on the same side (I know frequent feeding ups supply but my DD could cope better with small feeds), using a pillow at home and about (you can focus on getting the latch right and cover the pillow in towels/facecloths), sleeping on a towel and in just a bra to reduce washing, bib on the baby to soak up milk, using facecloths as addition to breast pads, expressing no more than 1oz before a feed if particularly engorged (not too much or it helps your supply) and mostly time.

At 11 mo I longer wear breast pads (I literally thought that day would never happen)

I hope things calm down for you soon.

Yes, to catch the milk - shells are sometimes used. I thought the OP was using them in some way to make the feeds themselves easier????

Hi OP. I had a fast let down and was 'over-producing' initially. I tried the block nursing technique tiktok mentioned which worked well. This link helped a lot (I'm a massive fan of Kellymom generally and it might be good if you're isolated where you are).

DD is now 7 months and I still occasionally leak, but normally only at night. I can get away without pads during the day. And I promise she doesn't seem traumatised by her earlier struggles to keep up with the flow, though it was horrible at the time.

Brilliant advice...feel I've tried everything but block feeding as I was overwhelmed the first time I looked into block feeding with the earlier weeks of DS. Going to try it as of tomorrow.

I tried nipple shields when feeding (not the shells) as told it would slow flow and it is better but at times there is too much milk and the seal is not good and shield comes away in babies mouth, works adequately on one side where let down is slower.

Any experience to share of block feeding welcome.

Thanks again :)

Yes block feeding helped me a lot. Things are much much better now.when you get back to the uk you could also hire a lactation consultant. Mine gave me great advice.