Hi,
This is my first post after failing to find a solution through googling! I have a 6 week old baby, who at the start fed really well and has always latched on well.... breastfeeding is something I really wanted to do and have been enjoying despite sleep deprivation etc. However, from the start I’ve had an issue that my right boob seems to produce more milk or come out more quickly than my baby can cope with. He often starts coughing and choking and ends with milk everywhere. I mentioned it to the HV when he was around 2 weeks old and she said it was a situation that would resolve itself as he got bigger.
However, over the last couple of weeks he has been constantly fussy and seems to be struggling to get his gas out with a lot of discomfort. He spends lots of time grunting and groaning, screwing himself up and turning red... generally seeming uncomfortable, along with a big increase in crying. Sometimes he will wake up suddenly crying and very distressed from sleep, and the general discomfort is interrupting sleep at night a lot. I think all of this is linked to the breastfeeding as he can’t keep up and ends up taking in air. I burp regularly and usually manage to get some big ones out but it’s more the farts that are the issue. He spits out gripe water and infacol doesn’t seem to be helping.
All the advice seems to be linked to when it’s an issue in both boobs, I’m not sure what to do when it’s just one. I can’t not feed on it, and am also cautious about pumping as I don’t want to create even more supply. I’ve tried to hand expressing the start, but this isn’t really practical to do all the time and my baby is usually there screaming waiting to be fed which is distressing. I’ve read about block feeding, but don’t want to create issues in the other boob.
Any suggestions or help? I feel like it’s getting worse and he is even becoming reluctant to feed and more distressed when trying, along with the gas issues. If not I think I will be left having to switch to formula, but I would prefer to continue breastfeeding if possible.
Thank you for any ideas!