I nursed my first 2 boys until they were 13 and 14 months, when they weaned themselves. I didn’t realize then how blessed I was to be able to nurse for that long, as it’s a struggle for so many. I also seem to be quite the milk cow and have never had to nurse for long for my boys to get full. I actually had to put a time limit on them so that they wound’t spit it all back up.
Now, for the third time around, nursing became a bit more challenging. I still have a ton of milk and a little guy that could only handle about 10 total minutes of nursing. Everything was fine, until he was about 3 weeks old and he started being extremely gassy and seemed so uncomfortable. I had 2 clogged ducts and was pretty uncomfortable myself. It was the first time I literally thought about stopping and switching to formula. I felt really guilty if I was eating something that was bothering him and we were both still struggling.
I was doing some research when I found these articles about Oversupply Syndrome. It made so much sense to me and I found that Lincoln and I had many of the symptoms they discussed. Basically, the baby is getting full off the foremilk, not ever getting to the hindmilk that actually fills their stomach and provides the fat they need. The foremilk is high in lactose, which makes their little bellies upset. Here is info about foremilk/hindmilk that is interesting. Oversupply Syndrome is often misdiagnosed as colic or food allergies, making the mom cut out foods unnecessarily with no improvement.
What I decided to do, was to switch to nursing only one side per feeding. This way, Lincoln was getting both the foremilk and hindmilk with each feeding, while not getting so full that he spits it all up. This means that I’m pumping one side and nursing one side every feeding. Let me tell you, that was a hot mess for a minute. What a process! I have a few things that have been helpful to me. Let me tell you.
First off, I got the Medela Pump in Style Backpack. I didn’t know it, but my insurance company (I think most do now?) covers a pump and offered that one for free. It works really well and I like that everything is all tucked inside a discrete backpack.
First off, I got the Medela Pump in Style Backpack. I didn’t know it, but my insurance company (I think most do now?) covers a pump and offered that one for free. It works really well and I like that everything is all tucked inside a discrete backpack.
The tommee tippee pump and Go came in the mail and I had a big exhale. After some pumping, transferring milk to bags and millions of parts everywhere, I was so excited to see this set. The milk storage bags are pumped directly into, then you can cover them, store them and bottle feed directly from them. Brilliant. And, there isn’t a big bottle hanging off of you while your nursing baby kicks at it, which makes life so much easier!
Heres the storage bag with the Medela adapter. It can adapt to many different brands of pumps.
You can store all your baggies in the easy to keep organized storage case, then pop a single bag into the bottle attachment for feeding. The set comes with a warmer as well, so you can easily heat up the bags.
Another thing I’ve been using, is the Pump Strap. Since I don’t want to nurse, then pump, I’ve been doing it at the same time. If you’ve ever tried that without some type of strap, you know it’s basically impossible. So, I use the Pump Strap so I can hands free pump while still nursing. They’re offering y’all 30% off with code MOLLY30 at checkout, too!
I’m telling you all of this in hopes that it may help someone else out. I was totally surprised with how much harder it was to keep it all going this time around and am glad for the information I found to help me. If you’re a nursing mom, don’t give up! Do lots of research, ask other moms and try to find answers if you’re struggling. There may be a way to make it much easier like I found for myself.
I nearly cried when the pediatrician told me to cut out dairy, but was willing to do it for my baby. Now, I’m really glad that proved to not be needed, so queso and pumpkin spice lattes all around!
All insurance companies must provide pumps now – https://www.healthcare.gov/coverage/breast-feeding-benefits/
I am no expert (and did not have an oversupply) but one note on what worked for me – I always fed on just one side each time but didn't pump concurrently, The more you pump, the more your body is going to produce, but if you stop and only feed on the one side, your body should adjust (after an uncomfortable day or two) and only produce the amount you need.
i was a working momma with a VERY healthy supply and i breastfed each for 10 months (b/c i had enough stored to get us through a year). When i was home I always only fed one side, and my boobs got trained to do that do i didn't need to pump the other side. When i was work i pumped both sides and then at night i would pick right up on one side. Just a thought if you don't want to pump while you feed, but then i never had clogged ducts so you might have to…
Glad you were able to figure it out!!! Cheers to PSL!
I had to do the same thing. I had to pump down for 3 weeks for 2-3 minutes before a nursing so that my daughter could latch and get a good feed in. Eventually, I did just nurse on one side and I didn't need to pump the other side. My body self-regulated. Good luck mama!! I know how hard that is.
This saved my life — I have been nursing my little one for about 2 weeks now and all she wants to do is eat or cries with gas pains. I pumped exclusively with my other two but thought it'd be easier to nurse my third. While it may, I think I may just go back to pumping to save her poor tummy — and see if it at least helps with the colic like symptoms!