The poo is most likely due to the antibiotics and will take several weeks to clear up. As Barb says, it'll sort itself out. If he's feeding and gaining well, then it's probably all fine. DS had similar problems early on when I had antibiotics.
You could also have thrush as well.
Evening irritability, aka arsenic hour(s), is totally normal, though draining, and doesn't reflect your supply or lack thereof at all, as Barb has also said. You'll still be making plenty of milk, your son is just fussy and feeling out of sorts so likes to feed more then to seek comfort. If your substitute bottles for breast then your milk supply may shift, however, to make more when you feed/express and less when you don't. The good news, hopefully, is that you're probably about half way through the worst of the early fussy stage.
Lactose overload is sounding more like it. It fits in with what we experience. The suck-suck-cry-suck-cry routine, the ample weight gain & frequent feeding, and me thinking I'm not supplying enough! I'm going to try block feeding for a few days & see how that goes.
Barb - if it's something to do over supply, should I express less to discourage the excess? Or just keep doing it to have freezer stocks?
Thanks all for your replies. I feel like I'm a hamster stuck on a wheel in my own head - I need to join a mothers group asap! Only a few more days & the 'new parents group' starts.
Hun, I'm glad you have read the articles. It's great that you have a better idea of what might be happening. You must be feeling better about it all now.
If it is oversupply, then expressing frequently well could delay your milk from settling down. If you need the EBM then you don't want to stop expressing totally, so perhaps it might be helpful to express either less often, or not empty your breast each time. Otherwise if you are just stocking up "in case", it might be an idea to stop for a few days to see if that helps.
You are doing all the right things hun, keep up the great work. I hope it settles down for you quickly.
Why don't you join the Australian Breastfeeding Association? They run great groups for mums in all areas. Through your group you have access to your local Breastfeeding counsellors. When you join ABA you get a free book - "Breastfeeding Naturally" which is absolutely one of the best breastfeeding/parenting books around.
Try to slow down the expressing unless you feel very full and uncomfortable, then just express enough to relieve the discomfort. It sounds like you are doing a great job - the first 6 weeks or so can be tough going - it gets better
DS2 was about 8 weeks old when I started noticing blood in his poo. Took him to the ED & they told me it was cracked nipples (which it most definitely was NOT, I had BTDT & knew what that felt like!)
Got a referral to a peadiatrician who said it was most likely like Kelly suggested a reaction to the protein in cow's milk. I cut all dairy out of my diet for a couple of months and it stopped. After about 8 - 10 weeks I started to ease back into a little bit of dairy & it was fine.
I understand Entreat, I think DS was 10 weeks old before I finally got round to joining! It's definitely worth it though.
If you do decide to try cutting out dairy, be aware that it'll take a couple of weeks to get out of your system completely. I think also speaking to a pead or someone like that to guide you through the process is probably a good idea. Personally I'd wait and see if his system settles down post-ABs first.
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