Oversupply or Reflux?

[SweetPea3200]

I'm struggling a lot with my ten week old's gas. He spits up after every feed and needs to be burped forever and it's often still not enough. He's fussy at the breast and glups/chokes a lot. But he also seems constantly hungry and keeps going back often until he falls asleep. My breasts get completely full during the night but not during the day. I'm honestly so confused. Any help would be great

 

[noon_child]

I think oversupply/fast letdown fits the symptoms a bit more closely than reflux. Oversupply can cause baby to take more milk than they need and take on air - both things that will cause them to spit up. It can cause hungry babies when it is extreme because breastmilk of a high volume has a lower % of fat. Things that can help:

Feed in a reclined position so that the milk has to travel "uphill" to reach his mouth

Try to encourage more frequent feeds (i.e dont let your breasts fill up)

Let down in to a cloth before latching so LO isn't overwhelmed

Dont pump uless you plan to feed that pumped milk to LO right away

Try burping him regularily throughout feeds not just at the end

Reflux could be a factor because it can cause oversupply (baby needs comfort so overfeeds, then throws up and needs to feed again etc.) but I think it is easier to try to help with oversupply first and then if that hasn't worked look in to reflux solutions.

 

[SweetPea3200]

Thanks for all of the advice! At this point I basically feed laying down/on my side. I think it helps a lot! One issue is that he sleeps 5-6 hours at night (which I will not discourage) and my boobs are always crazy full when he's hungry! I try to just feed from one side but it doesn't seem like enough. Would it be worth it to pump a bit before he wakes up to relieve the pressure?

 

[noon_child]

Thanks for all of the advice! At this point I basically feed laying down/on my side. I think it helps a lot! One issue is that he sleeps 5-6 hours at night (which I will not discourage) and my boobs are always crazy full when he's hungry! I try to just feed from one side but it doesn't seem like enough. Would it be worth it to pump a bit before he wakes up to relieve the pressure?

If you are very uncomfortable you could try stimulating a letdown BUT if you pump or express too much it will increase your supply and could make things worse.

Hopefully as you supply settles you wont have the engorgement when he sleeps.

 

[SweetPea3200]

I can live with being uncomfortable I just feel like I'm drowning him when he first latches.

 

[spicyorange]

Your supply should settle down in a few weeks but like others have said feed with lo in an upright position and you laying backwards, pump a little if need be but it might increase your supply, let down onto a towel to.

 

[sunnydee]

I'm having the same issues with oversupply and reflux in my 5 week old. It doesn't seem like my supply is settling down at all? I've read about full drainage and block feeding to decrease supply, I'm trying this today so hopefully will help! My poor baby is so gassy and my breasts are so uncomfortable and leak so much I can't stand it!

 

[noon_child]

I'm having the same issues with oversupply and reflux in my 5 week old. It doesn't seem like my supply is settling down at all? I've read about full drainage and block feeding to decrease supply, I'm trying this today so hopefully will help! My poor baby is so gassy and my breasts are so uncomfortable and leak so much I can't stand it!

Supply doesn't really start to settle till between the 6week and three month growth spurts.

 

[sunnydee]

Do you think block feeding at this stage is going to cause any supply issues when it starts to settle? I am afraid to pump too much incase this increases my supply

 

[noon_child]

Do you think block feeding at this stage is going to cause any supply issues when it starts to settle? I am afraid to pump too much incase this increases my supply

It can really help oversupply but it can cause blockages and discomfort on the side you don't feed from so it is important not to do it for any longer than 4hrs either side. As long as you keep feeding on demand there is no reason why your supply should decrease to less than what your baby needs.