thread: Slow letdown, impatient baby = upset mummy :( HELP!

  1. #1
    Registered User

    Feb 2008
    Country Victoria
    5,945

    Slow letdown, impatient baby = upset mummy :( HELP!

    This post is on behalf of a friend

    She is currently experiencing some difficulty and has asked me to post to ask you gorgeous ladies for some advice.

    She has successfully BF her DD for over 12 wonderful months.

    Her now almost 4 month old DS loves his boobie but has become very impatient at the breast. He pulls on and off, wont suck long enough to stimulate, gets upset then she gets upset. She believes her letdown is just coming too slowly and he becomes increasly frustrated and upset until milk is flowing.

    It has been going on for about a month now and got to the point where she felt like her milk was drying up.

    Their is currently a fair bit of stress in her life at the moment, could that and her milk/letdown be linked? She has also suffered from abit of insomnia since about 6 weeks before DS was born.


    So, is there anything she can do to make the letdown come a little quicker?

  2. #2
    Registered User

    Jul 2006
    In The Land Of Wonderful...
    1,751

    She may find it's not a actually a let down issue... And more just a phase for babys age.

    I'm on my phone, so not so easy trying to link up, but if you search in here for a thread Strangelk started about 6 weeks ago, she's asking advice for exactly the same thing. I think it was entitled something like 'fussing at the breast' or something similar.
    Sorry I can't link it, not so easy via tapatalk!

    My DS went through this just before he turned 4 months... And went back to normal after 2 or 3 weeks. In that thread, everyone had similar issues at approx 4 month mark.

    I'm sure you'll find it, but I'll go searching for it when I'm on the pc next!

    HTH

  3. #3
    Registered User

    Jul 2006
    In The Land Of Wonderful...
    1,751

    It's called 'fussy'.... Found it but I have no idea how to link it with tapatalk, sorry!!!

    Sounds like it's the perfect thread for your friend to read

  4. #4
    BellyBelly Member

    May 2008
    1,110

    Ask her to try hand squirting before she puts bub on. And to physically relax while feeding.
    SHe might also find that feeding a bit sooner than she thinks she has to gives her some more wriggle room before bub gets grumpy.

    Stress can slow let-down, and 3-4 month olds are impatient critters. It's important to remember that if bub is growing and weeing and pooing then enough milk is going in!

  5. #5
    Registered User

    Jan 2008
    SE suburbs, Vic
    1,377

    I think it is just a phase at that age. DS has started to become really restless at the breast, but we just keep trying and eventually he settles. Stress could be an issue too & it doesn't help with a squirming baby because you tend to get more stressed.

  6. #6
    Registered User

    Jul 2008
    Country VIC
    930

    Hi Girls, its actually me that MM has posted this for, she had two spares hands to type and I only had one lol.

    Thanks for your replies.

    KMN - I have tried to hand express but I just cannot do it, its something I have always found difficult even just a little bit.

    I had a look for the fussy post and even did a search but I couldnt find it, does someone else know where it is and can they link me to it.

    I am really hoping its a phase, as I know I can do it and I want to do it for at least 12 months. He is a very content baby otherwise so I am not concerned about his health, its just upsetting when its such a battle to feed. It is mainly only happening in the middle of the night, I think its because of my problems getting to sleep I finally get to sleep then he wakes and its frustrating as I have to try all over again to get back to sleep. This week has been better sleep wise and last night he had a feed at midnight then I went to bed and he slept right through until 6am. I really needed that.

  7. #7
    Registered User

    Oct 2007
    Middle Victoria
    8,924

  8. #8
    Registered User

    Jul 2008
    Country VIC
    930

    Thanks Kate your wonderful

  9. #9
    BellyBelly Life Subscriber & MPM

    Feb 2007
    Melbourne
    5,462

    It's definitely an age thing, my DS1 did the same thing at the exact same age. It did my head in because I didn't know about BB back then LOL!

    Keep persevering, you're doing a great job

  10. #10
    Registered User

    Feb 2008
    Country Victoria
    5,945

    It really is good to know that it seems to be a phase that alot of bubs and mums go through. Thats why BB is such a good place. Sometimes its just nice to know your not alone. I agree with the other Sal, your doing such a fabulous job hang in there