Did I screw my supply up already?

[legalbeagle]

Hi all!
Sorry for just barging in but it is 11:30 at night and no one seems to understand how terrible I feel about what's going on with my supply. I have a DS who is 4 and I breastfed/pumped for 7 months until my supply dried up. Nine days ago I gave birth to DD and my milk came in on day three. I was so engorged I could barely lift my arms (I'm sure everyone had been there!) but I was reading Kellymom and the Nursing Mom Companion book and trying to manage it on my own through bad latch bc of engorgement, which led to bleeding nipples. I pumped a bit when I needed to (nipples needed a break, just for comfort) but was mostly block feeding to try and get my body to produce less milk. DD was eating enough (although I'm not certain she would actually drain a breast in a feeding, which is maybe part of the problem since she is a sleepy feeder and needed a lot of encouragemnt) had regained her birth weight by day seven. Well today I just feel like my supply has tanked -- I'm offering her both breasts and she seems a lot fussier at the boob. I'm trying to pump both breasts after feeding her and am barely getting an ounce and a half. I can't tell if she is content after feeding or just so tired that she is passing out. It also generally takes her 45 mins to an hour to feed for about 20 mins total (sleepiness). I am now thinking I should have pumped the boob I wasn't feeding from every time but I had crazy oversupply with DS from pumping too early and didn't want that to happen again. I'm just so frustrated bc I thought I was doing a good job to get through engorgement with block feeding and some cold compresses and now I feel like I totally effed up. Pee and poop diapers are a little less today, which is really why I am concerned. Thinking about calling an LC tomorrow esp since the weekend is coming up.

Thanks for reading this novel. What does Breastfeeding think?

ETA: okay so she's now spit up a ton after each feed tonight despite me holding her upright or her continuing to nurse after she's full. Or maybe she's not full but still spitting up? I'm at a loss and feel like this is my problem to sort out. DH not being helpful at all.

[seamonster]

I think your supply is fine. Sounds like a bit of reflux (she might be a happy chucker). Maybe burp even if she's asleep?

[kensie5226]

I don't think you messed up your supply. Have you tried a paci after awhile. It's possible she is nursing for comfort long after she is full. I don't think you tanked your supply. You want it to regulate down. And there is no reason to pump the other breast unless it's for comfort. An ounce and a half after feeding is more than enough.

[legalbeagle]

Thank you both for responding!! I really appreciate it. I think I'm just feeling so responsible for feeding this baby and since I had supply problems last time (both over and then under) im assuming that something is wrong because she needs both sides to feel full. Although as you point out maybe she really doesn't and is comfort nursing long after when really she just needs a paci. She had an amazing poopslosion this morning so something is moving through her! Really really appreciate your responses.

[vvvvvfee]

i would stop pumping so your supply can regulate and you don't create an oversupply.

if you are uncomfortably engorged, try cold compresses on your breasts. i was very engorged with my 2nd and the lansinoh gel packs helped a lot (put them in the freezer): www.lansinoh.com/en/products/therapearl-3-in-1-breast-therapy

you might want to try a laid-back/"natural" nursing position- that might help with fussiness and spit-up since LO will be more upright. (see here: www.mothering.com/articles/natural-breastfeeding/ or just watch this video: www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZJan8xCNgY4 )

if LO is sleepy, try putting a cold washcloth on her forehead or back, or undressing her down to a diaper and doing skin to skin.

call a LC if you feel nervous about it. but i'd start with continuing to nurse on demand, not pumping, and feeding more upright.

[anotherdreamer]

My DD was doing similar during her first week. She nursed often, and spit up a lot. I have an overactive letdown and I think she was getting too much at once, and needed burped more too. She's gotten better since then.

The frequent nursing and fussiness could be wanting to comfort nurse or cluster feeding. It is frustrating, but it does sound normal to me too.

I would stop pumping for now and just nurse on demand, give your body a chance to regulate. The stress of pumping could be compounding things too, I know it made me stressed out with my DS. If you are too engorged prior to nursing, try hand expressing if possible, to make it easier for baby to latch.

[emmyg65]

Stop pumping and nurse on demand. BFing is so emotional (much more than they tell you!), but your body is generally set up to meet your child's needs, and these early days are when you're most responsive to your baby. Nursing 1.5 ounces after feeding is a lot! And at this point, don't worry about block feeding. Nurse from one breast and when baby is done, offer the second. If she doesn't take it, that's fine. Just start with that breast next time.

There are growth spurts at 2-3 days, 7-10 days, 2-3 weeks and 6 weeks, plus newborns generally go through fussy periods just because being outside is tough business. Wearing your baby is very helpful. And if you can manage it with your older child, I really loved nursing vacations, where you basically just chill out on the couch or in bed, doing skin to skin, and nursing on demand. Skin to skin promotes good supply and helps regulate your hormones.

My son was a very spitty baby and I had to hold him upright for about 20-30 minutes after each feed, and then he'd still spit up when I laid him down.

Tl;dr: Deep breaths, mama. You're still in the early days and there's plenty of time to sort things out. Hang in there.

[legalbeagle]

Thank you all for your suggestions and thoughts! I'm feeling much better today and trying many of the things you recommended. My engorgement seems to be fine for the most part and now I'm no longer worried about my supply -- DD has been eating all day long and we had two additional spit up incidents so she's definitely getting enough. I am trying to take more burp breaks, feed her upright and hold her afterward for twenty mins instead of just ten. She also seems more alert today and woke up a few times on her own instead of us having to wake her up. She is definitely overeating through comfort sucking and I've tried a paci or a finger to soothe but no luck. Have stopped the extra pumping since both breasts are getting a lot of stimulation at each feeding.

Breastfeeding is a funny thing. I didn't remember it fondly because latch with my son was so bad for so long but once I smelled that new baby smell and had her stuck on my boob I knew I wasn't ready to give it up. Thank you for the encouragement! It means a lot.