Stress and Milk Production

[macaronmama]

Amy good information out there on the effects of stress and anxiety on breastfeeding? I cannot tell if at 3 weeks my milk production is still just in Flux or if my evening anxiety is affecting how much milk I have available?

It seems I have plenty of milk upon waking and during the day. But for the last two nights, DS has been fussy and wanting more than my breasts seem to be providing. They also feel more empty. I know tension, etc. can affect let down, or so I have read. Luckily I seem to be pumping enough come morning to have a little extra for his evening feed (DH does two feeds by bottle a day, rest is breast), but worried of this extending past evenings.

Also unsure if the stabbing pain in my upper breasts is milk related or tension related (all my stress and anxiety manifests as upper back and chest pain).

[jennybeans]

It is completely normal for babies to cluster feed and be fussy in the evenings during the early weeks!
kellymom.com/parenting/parenting-faq/fussy-evening/

[LadyNymeria]

I've had this happen too. Basically DS wanted to cluster feed and it seemed like nothing was coming out. It didn't last and now there's enough or more than enough milk all day.

It's definitely stressful, but you're not alone. Nursing more should signal your body to make more, so just keep nursing and if you need to supplement some pumped milk after a feeding session don't worry.

[westiemom]

This also happened to me in the early days. Totally normal and it will regulate! I still have a ton of excess in the AM though!

[lilyelayne]

The 3 week growth spurt is a really big one. Cluster feeding, especially in the evening, is totally normal. It's okay to switch back and forth between breasts: if LO seems done with the first one, then nurses and seems done with the second one, just go back to the first one. Not only is this signaling your breast to make more milk (early growth spurts are especially important for setting up your supply for the long run) but these cluster feeds are also good at providing high fat milk content. As well as much needed comfort for LO. Your breast is the closest he can get to being back in the womb. The world is still new and overwhelming.

Growth spurts can be overwhelming for you, too. Set up a comfortable nursing nest for these evenings. Pillows, blankets, snacks, large glass of water with a straw. Book or radio or tablet or tv remote or all of the above handy. Now is the time for Netflix binging :-)

[emmyg65]

Witching hour! Like PP said, evening fussiness is normal for newborns. But do remember that when your baby gets a bottle, you need to replace that feed.

Are you having any other symptoms besides stabbing pains? Redness? Bright pink or flaky nipples or white nipples after feeding?

[macaronmama]

Forgot about the three week growth spurt. -_- I'll definitely try to keep up with him today a little better then. He's also been having some sleep troubles, which I guess can also be contributed to that.

No other symptoms other than the pain, and like I said, it's only in the upper regions of the breast.

[byjove]

Nov 1, 2016 12:30:35 GMT -5 kelltothekell said:

I think it's pretty normal to have your lowest supply in the evening. you are doing great! No advice regarding the pain, but might be something to bring up to a LC.

It's also fattier milk in the evening and harder to suck out. Sometimes when my boobs are drained and she keeps nursing, the tops will feel funny, almost like the milk is trying out come out. Definitely wouldn't hurt to run it by an LC. I think it does sound like normal baby behavior!

FWIW, I had an extremely stressful situation earlier this summer when DD2 was just 6 months old. We went from NOD with no issue (and I pumped at work) down to producing about 10 oz in 24 hours- which was 1/3 of what I was producing (I supplemented with freezer stash). It took a lot of hard work and for the stress to get better (DH was in the hospital- so basically it got better once he got better- I would say over several weeks) and now my little one is almost 11 months and nursing like it never happened. Just keep nursing and expressing, hydrate, and it will come back.