Starting to worry a bit

[purplepixie1978]

Hi, my daughter is 6 weeks old. She came out of hospital comp feeding but we have gradually got to exclusive bf. Things were going okay, apart from a case of oral thrush, until Monday last week - my left bb was very sore and I was concerned about low supply from leftie, so I rested and expressed for 24 hours and called a LC. She helped with attachment and reassured me re: supply - normal for them not to be even etc. All was ok for 24 hours, then left nipple cracked from here to kingdom come. Called LC Thursday afternoon, who suggested resting/expressing again, or perhaps nipple shields if expressing kept opening up the crack. So Friday I bought nipple shields and gave them a go. All seemed to be going okay, a bit disrupted due to Christmas, but she was feeding well and going longer between feeds, til Wednesday, which after a bit of help from others in my due date forum, I figured was the 6 week growth spurt. I have been trying to phase out the shields (had to start using it on the right as it was starting to get sore and I just didnt know if she was getting enough) but it has been variable in terms of my pain threshold and DD's willingness to attach. Now my left breast has gone really soft, which I know is suposed to mean it's producing well, but it's incredibly hard for her to attach both with or without the shield, and I'm sitting here expressing and only got 10ml in 20 mins off left bb. Right bb feels full and firm, but goes soft once DD attaches, and I'm noticing that it's not as productive in terms of expressing either. I have been waking DD for feeds today but she feeds poorly when she's sleepy and cranky.

Basically I'm worried that I'm running out of milk and won't make it through the long weekend breastfeeding. DH has been really supportive but neither of us know what to do.

[HotI]

Give the ABA a call. it's a free number, 24 hours and they can give you support and advice. 1800 686 2 686.

[HotI]

Here is some stuff that i know:
* expressing is not a good indicator of supply. Babies are usually much more effective suckers than the pump.
* it's ok to have one 'good' breast and many women find that baby feeds better from one side than the other. Some women only have one breast to feed from and have enough for bub.
* perceived low supply is usually not really low supply, but your body adjusting to how much bub needs.
* keep offering breast to bub, paying attention to attachment (cos you don't want to hurt yourself)
* can you have a shower or bath or just skin to skin cuddles with bub - this can help release the good hormones.
* have you looked at baby led attachment? this can sometimes help give you better attachment especially if you and bub are relaxed after nice cuddles

[briggsy's girl]

i agree with Kate
at this point in time, it's "normal" for supply to settle down. you won't necessarily have an oversupply as you would in the early days - it's more a case of supply meeting demand. and expressing is definitely not a sign of how much bub is getting. i have NEVER been an effective expresser - 1 hour or 8 hours after last feed, i would get the exact same amount.

keep attaching baby whenever hungry. trust that your body knows what it is doing. call the ABA if you need more support. watch baby's output (wet/dirty nappies) - if that is good, they are pretty much showing they are getting enough

your bub will be unsettled at the moment due to the growth spurt and the six week wonder week

[Jennifer13]

The other girls have given you good advice. As long as your baby is having plenty of wet and/or dirty nappies, seems alert and doing well your milk supply will be meeting her needs at this point. How your breasts feel, whether you're feeling a let down and how much you express are not good indicators. Have you tried switching to a football hold on the cracked nipple? Another thing might be to try Bfing lying down. If you get through this it will get much easier for you and bub. It won't always be like this - your baby is still small and it's amazing how a bit more growth, some good support and advice soon makes this just something you managed. Big well done on getting to exclusive Bfing btw.

[Diamond75]

The only thing I could add is when it came to Bf my oldest two children I stressed constantly as to whether or not I had enough milk etc and did not have a good supply, with my last child I just totally had a different mind set and didn't even worry about supply and managed to Bf until she self-weaned at around 13mths.

Just relax, keep up the fluids and rest... you are doing a fabulous job.

[willow5]

I remember this exact same thing at 6 weeks with DS and all was ok!!! Stick with it you're doing a great job! Everyone's given great advice.

[purplepixie1978]

Thanks Kate, I'll have a look at baby led attachment. DD is very full on though, she tends to wake up yelling and if I'm slow to get my shirt off she can work herself up into a total frenzy in no time at all.
...I just went up to her as she was grizzling and found that she'd managed to wet through her nappy, singlet and wrap - got her gear off and had lovely skin time, then a quiet little feed. Not sure that she got much, but she has settled pretty well... for now

Thanks, feeling a bit more positive now.

[purplepixie1978]

I've just read everyone else's posts - thanks for the quick responses ad encouragement. I'm a worry wart - I have to keep reminding myself about the nappies - she has good output and I should let that be my guide. I did switch to football hold on the left - it works sometimes. Each day is different, isn't it?? So hard to figure out what's going on. I'll try bf lying down over the weekend and see how that goes too.

Thanks again everyone, and Happy New Year

[nickle730]

I understand why you are using the nipple shield, I had cracked and bleeding nipples early on (even with perfect attachment!) and I used the shields as well. One of my mates is a MCHN/LC (I'm loving having endless access to her LC knowledge!) and she told me that while the shields were ok for a couple of days while my nipples healed I needed to get rid of them as soon as I could. She explained that the nipple stimulation by bub's tongue tells the brain to tell the breast to produce more milk. This stimulation is blocked when using the shield and supply decreases. That's ok for some women who have an abundant supply, but I did not! If you can find a comfortable position, maybe try to feed without the shield.

It's hard isn't it, when you don't know how much they are getting? Our nipples should give a digital printout after each feed! Sounds like you are doing a great job.

[MantaRay]

It's easy to worry with a new baby hun Sounds like you are doing really well though hun. Lots of wee is a great sign that she's getting enough. Another tip is to try and feed her when she's calm. If she's crying when you try to feed, she won't attach well and will cause damage and pain. If you can, try and offer her the breast before she starts crying with hunger - signs like bobbing head or sucking her fist are signs of hunger. If she wakes up crying then see if you can settle her by offering your finger for her to suck on before trying to feed her, so that she's calmer.

You're nearly through the hardest time hun - well done!

[onthefly]

on shields, the ones around these days are ok to use longer term - i used them for about 7 weeks with ds without any problems with supply

6 weeksd tends to be the worst time

[purplepixie1978]

Thanks so much everyone! I have managed to stop using the shields, Lasinoh is helping to soothe things after each feed as well and I'm managing to remind myself that as long as she's weeing, pooing and sleeping (at least some of the time ) we're doing fine. She's been a bit unsettled (made a spectacle of herself at the shops today!) but I'm staying calm, which is making for better feeds. I just have to accept that my leftie is a slacker!

Thanks again, and happy new year

[willow5]

6 weeksd tends to be the worst time

I agree totally!

Lansinoh was one of my best friends back then I found it good to get some hind milk on them after a feed, and air dry when I could too, that aided the healing.

[MummaSue]

Yeah, 6 weeks can be a difficult time. Sounds like you're doing great!