Let Down - HELP!!!!

[PianoMama]

Over the past week, I have had a problem with my milk not letting down when I sit down to nurse dd. I've never had this problem before and I don't know what to do. It doesn't happen a every feeding, just random it seems. She'll latch on and suck and nothing comes, so she pulls off and cries, then she tries again, usually the same thing ~ no milk, pulls of a cries. Today she was nearly hysterical. This is huge, because she.never.cries. She fusses and wimpers and such, but today was an all.out.LOUD.cry. Her face was bright red. I didn't know what to do. I almost got up and put a bit of water in a bottle. After about 20 minutes of on and off latching and screaming, my milk finally let down.

Please, please help me!!!

[Skunkers]

Are you under stress, dyhydrated?
a warm washcloth will help & even seeing(in your mind) the milk moving from your glands to to the nipple may help (I know it sounds hoakey, but it helped me when DD#4 was premature & in NICU & I was pumping like crazy trying to get milk to come in)

[kallumwilkes]

Try having someone massage your back, right between the shoulder blades as you start nursing. It should relax you, but also it should help with the let down (at least that is what they told us in a breastfeeding class I took). A warm shower might help with let down too, although that might not be quite as easy to do with a little one.

[LCLake]

This happened to me with my little guy at around the same age at your little one. I just found that I was definately not drinking enough water and also eating a proper amount of calories per day. Once I upped both my water intake and food, the difference was crazy! It's amazing how it affects it so much.

It's an awful feeling thinking that your flow isn't fast enough for the babe... and seeing them frustrated.

Totally agree about how concentrating and relaxing is a huge thing. I found that if I thought about what I was actually doing for Liam... and how amazing breastfeeding is... how God created this perfect milk with the perfect nutrience to grow a baby and keep MY baby alive... that helped. No idea why... but probably because I felt the overwhelming feeling of love for Liam. Yep... then the milk would flow. haha.

Strange but amazing eh? (yes, I'm Canadian)

Laura

[PianoMama]

Thank you, thank you, Friends!! I had an inkling of what you all would say...I was kinda right. Yesterday when I was desperate - all I could think was, "Please God, please let my milk come! Please!" Since then, I've consciously been relaxing during feedings, taking deep breaths etc. No problems yet.

I have been drinking lots of water...more then I used too, but I guess I should keep track to see how much I'm really getting. I refill our Brita pitcher once or twice a day...

I'm still on a multi-vitamin. But as for calories, I'm trying to lose weight. Should I just forget about that while I'm nursing? I'm much more concerned about my little one getting enough nutrients rather than losing weight.

Ever since she dropped her middle of the night feeding, I've been pumping 2 or 3 oz in the mornings since I'm soooo full. So, if I get desperate, I could unfreeze some BM and give it to her...but I'm hoping not to have to do that. But, it is a back up just in case...

Thanks!!!

[LCLake]

Well I think you can be mindful of what kind of calories you're eating... make sure they're not wasted calories on junk.... I know sometimes people just throw the "dieting" out the window and think that the extra calories they can have while breastfeeding means that they can have more chips, chocolate etc...

What helped for me was to make sure I ate 3 good meals a day (but healthy) and then 2 or more snacks... like veggies or yogurt or even a smoothie... stuff like that. Stuff that provide excellent nutrience to keep your energy up and to pass onto your babe!!

- L