Slow letdown

Up until now DS and I have thankfully done wonderfully when it comes to breastfeeding. The last couple of days though have been strange because I think my supply has dropped a bit (I'm feeding more often to try to boost it again), but my main concern is that my letdown is taking much much longer than usual. Poor DS is getting quite frustrated. He attaches, such a few times, then pulls off, "yells" at me, then repeats this over and over because the letdown isn't coming and he's not getting milk. It finally comes and then he;s ok, but it's sad to watch him getting so worked up.

Are there any tips on getting the letdown to happen faster?

Only thing I can think is for you to hand express till you get the letdown before letting DS at the boob... Sometimes at that age they are so busy wanting to do other things that feeding is a bit of an inconvenience to them... hence the fussing...I am sure you will work it out...

I used rescue remedy drops to help my let down speed up. This was when I was establishing BFing so I don't know if it is any different, but it really helped me relax and get the milk going

HTH

Hi,

We take it all so personally, don't we? Baby lambs and calves headbut their mums and pull on her teats in an effort to get the letdown started. Their mums just keep on keeping on. Just relax (I know, easier said than done) Milk letdown reflex is one of those things that *always* works. (like when your bladder "lets down) but the more you think about it, the more it seems to be delayed. Relax - it will happen. He will cope!

Thank you all so much for your responses. Especially Barb, you gave me a giggle picturing DS headbutting me to get the letdown, lol. I have a feeling that my concern over my supply might be what has been slowing down the letdown. After reading what Barb wrote about letdown being the thing that always works, I figure the increased time it's taking might be due to a combination of my stress level and also DS's frustrated sucking technique. When he just jumps on and sucks continuously the letdown happens nice and fast. But when he is frustrated he pops on and off a bit which makes the letdown take even longer.

I'm just going to persist and hope we both find a little more patience ;)

In addition to Barb's advice, I have also found at times in the past that if I'm a bit dehydrated letdown can be slower. (don't know if it's hot where you are, but it sure is here...!)

I want to share my b/feeding experience with slow let down. When it happens (or rather doesn't happen) it is incredibly stressful and emotional. I really hope this can help someone!
In my case breastfeeding slowed to a stop over about 2 weeks. My letdown, which at one point was taking almost 7-10mins to happen, and my eventual drop in milk supply was due to Postpartum Thyroiditis, a condition that apparently affects 5-10% of women. A thyroid imbalance can have a direct and significant impact on the milk delivery system and the bodies ability to produce milk. For those diagnosed it can reoccur in subsequent pregnancies is often left undiagnosed. When my let down came to a screeching halt with my 4 month daughter, I was devastated and panicked but determined to find a way to continue breastfeeding her (this had happened with my 6mth old son too but a lack of information ended with me weaning him onto the bottle at 8mths). I tried several councillors at the ABA, my family doctor (who's only suggestion was to try her on mashed pumpkin?!), several lactation consultants and a naturopath. If one more person told me to try deep breathing exercises, uses a warm compress, think about how beautiful my daughter was etc I was going to scream :wall:. None of these things helped at all and I felt like a failure and guilt ridden for putting my daughter through this stress. Fenugreek and expressing after every feed, plus increasing feeds back to 3 hourly (especially night feeds), made enough of a difference that I could produce enough milk to get her through. I was strongly advised not to supplement as this works towards a low supply.
A single line in an internet article mentioned links to the thyroid. A little alarm went of in my mind so I insisted that my doctor test me for this. In the meantime I found an alternative doctor, a wonderful female GP who was also a lactation consultant. She prescribed me Motilium and told me to keep up the Fenugreek and expressing. It worked thankfully. Since then after a series of blood tests and a visit to an endocronologist my diagnosis was confirmed. Two months later and I continue to have to take the Motilium and pump, usually twice a day. I still have the occasional low supply day but I now have the confidence and experience to know that 24-48 hours of increased feeding and expressing and I have milk aplenty. My daughter is now 6 months and I will keep going at this until she is at least one. I am proud that I have fought and won this battle to give my daughter the best start in life and that I can be the one (or her) to decide when its time to stop. I wish you all the best and please don't give up!

motherofoz
This is very helpful for me. I am going through the EXACT same thing right now, except i do not hae anough milk to breastfeed and have to substitute. My baby is 2 months old and I was finallu jusy diagnosed with Post Part thyroiditis. I am trying to put him to the breast constantly (his suck is on the weak side-he was a preemie), and then I pump after. I have been managing to pump about 10oz a day which i was giving to him in a bottle during the day and giving him formula at night (while still pumping trying to up my supply). I tried fenugreek and more milk plus but they didnt seem to do anything. I can pump for 15 mins and only get a few drops, then my right breast will kick in and i get about 30ml and then only about 10ml from the left one

I am just starting motillium and I am wondering what dosage you took? I feel the same as you i am trying to do everything to continue breastfeeding. Any help would be great.

Thanks

Thanks for your response and I hope my thread helps in some way because I really do understand how emotional this situation is. I am thrilled to say that my daughter is now 13 months old and I am still successfully breastfeeding her 2-3 times a day. I am taking a thyroid hormone replacement (as my antibody level is very high and it is unlikely my thyroid function will return to normal now), and I expect that this has helped too. When I started on the Motilium (10mg tablet) I was taking 2 tablets, 3 times per day. I still take it to ensure supply is reliable but have dropped back to 2 tablets 2 times a day. I haven't even attempted to wean off them. Its quite possible that I don't need them at all anymore but at this stage I will likely keep on taking them until I stop breastfeeding in the coming months as I have been told by my doctor that they are safe to use longterm. Every now and a then my supply still drops but not to the level it did in the early stages and gets back to normal within about 2 days. I have not needed the breast pump in about 4 months.
I really do wish you all the best. Its great that you were able to get a diagnosis early on. I am confident that it will get easier for you from here. Good luck!