Long let-down/impatient baby

[Rubeywednesday]

Hi

I'm seriously considering stoping bf my 3 month old because we've got ourselves into a bit of a vicious cycle which just upsets us both.

We've just moved house (in fact emigrated) and with all the stress it seems to have affected my milk let-down which now takes ages to happen. The baby gets fed up and pulls off crying and we're now in a ridiculous situation where I have to pump off and feed her from a bottle. I know the problem is in my head and I need to relax to make it happen but obviously I now tense up when attempting to feed - when I pump off it can take up to 10 mins before a let-down and happens spontaneously when I'm watching tv etc. Baby now prefers the immediacy of the bottle (naturally) and gets very frustrated when I try to get her on my breast.

Has anyone had a similar problem? Anyone got any tips to improve let-down? I've tried doing it when she's sleepy and less resistant, and it is a bit better but any other help would be appreciated

Poor you, and well done for sticking with it so far! I have struggled on and off with my letdown, fortunately it is ok on one side so have been able to continue by mostly just feeding off my left. I know how frustrating it can be though. Have you read the advice on kellymom.com? Worth a look. Try not to beat yourself up too much about it. You're doing a great job :)

Could you try feeding her when she's not too hungry, as she's more likely to be prepared to wait a bit? Maybe have a bath together as this would be more relaxed for both of you, with no pressure to feed? I don't think you should worry too much about how long it takes to get a letdown for a pump- I had the opposite problem, too fast a letdown, for my DS, but when I pumped it would still take me ages. Breast compressions helped me- you could try this whether feeding or pumping. Also I don't know what country you're in, but is there a LLL or similar you could call? I bet they'd have some good suggestions, and it might help to talk things through?

Thanks for your advice. I'm currently trying some visualization tricks as I'm sure it's all 'mind over matter'. A friend just compared it to erectile dysfunction and I think she's right - the more you think about it the worse it gets!

I had this problem when ds was 4 months. It's really stressful so know how you feel but we managed to get through it and an we are still feeding at approaching one. So don't give up just yet. I found a couple of things got me through it.

1. I started taking fenugreek supplement which increased my supply, when my boobs super full it was far easier to get a speedier let down. I think it was because ds had lots of residue milk to drink before the let down. I could see him actually getting some so didn't stress and let down occurred!
2. Used nipple stimulation before a feed to get the let down before I put him to the breast so he could drink straight away.
3. Put him to the breast on the end of naps as he would happily suck for longer as half asleep! Would also preempt feeds so he was never do hungry he would cry if let down didn't happen too quickly.
4. Told myself that ds would not starve if I couldn't get a let down straight away. I would take ds back off breast, distract him for ten mins and try again.
5. Try distraction whilst feeding too, watch the tv or something. I found as soon as I started thinking about something else other than the letdown, it would happen.

Hope that helps and good luck!