Advice re: oversupply & 4 week old

[ThePetiteMummy]

Dd2 was a month old yesterday & is ebf. I bf dd1 until 14 months and never really had any problems. However, as I'm finding out, siblings don't necessarily feed the same! She feeds about every 3 hours, & is gaining weight well. However, I'm really struggling with some feeds, as the milk seems to come out too fast for her, and she starts gagging & pulling off & crying, which then gets repeated over & over. She often cries in the evenings, getting very agitated, but can't seem to feed happily. I've been reading up a bit about oversupply, and it also mentioned watery, foamy poos, which I've noticed she does sometimes. She also has a tendency to vomit about once a day. We discussed this with her paed, & he didn't feel it was reflux, but we should watch if it starts to happen more frequently.

So what I'm asking is, will my supply settle down, or does anyone has any tips for reducing supply? I had some success last night by feeding her with me leaning back, but this doesn't always seem work.

Many thanks.

Thank you so much, some good tips, & those links are really helpful. I'd heard about block feeding, but hadn't understood it properly, but your explanation makes it clear. I notice they mention a clicking sound when feeding, which dd2 also does. Can I ask, did you manage to get your oversupply under control through these measures? It's so strange I never had this problem with dd1! Yes, spray rather than flow would apply to me too, poor dd usually gets it in the face! When you take them off & absorb some milk into a muslin, how long do you this for? Would a minute be enough for example?

I agree with everything what has already been suggested, but have one more tip to add; express (hand is fine) to the first letdown before you feed. You'll notice a huge improvement in the squirty poos after a few feeds, as the milk doesn't rocket through the baby.

Also I don't think gentle constant pressure on the breast above the areola has been mentioned to help slow/stem the flow until it slows. You want to release every now and then though so you don't get a blocked duct.

I had oversupply too it's not fun :-(.

Thank you, I'll be careful of that. Good point about doing it again at growth spurts, I would never have thought of that. I think I do have a strong let down, as I can feel it happening, & at that point, dd starts to gag. Really hoping we get this sorted out, it'll reduce my stress levels when feeding! Thanks again for taking the time to reply in such detail.

Thanks DayZWidow, just read your post after my last reply. Some good tips to try there. It is frustrating isn't it, as there's been many times when dd has wanted to feed, but we just have this constant latching on & off. Her weight gain is fine though, she was already nearly a pound above birth weight at 3 weeks!

I also had this with both of mine, feeding lying down on my side with the baby lying next to me was the best position, easier when they're slightly bigger though. The milk can then run out of their mouth rather than down their throat - you will need a waterproof undersheet or in my case, a new mattress!

I also found with DC2 that if I fed him immediately on waking he wasn't so freaked out by the spray and fed better overall.

Hope it works out for you!

Oh yes, that was me the other day! I was up, showered & in clean clothes, then sat down to feed & within minutes, every item I was wearing was wet with milk! Obviously it's largely down to sleep deprivation, but these things just seem overwhelming at the time! I also think that if we can get the feeding sorted, she might start to sleep a little longer at night .

Thanks Bobbiesox. We had some success with feeding lying down when we were in hospital, but she seems to struggle with it now. Makes sense about the milk running out of their mouths sideways though, so I might give it another go.