Too much milk can be a problem
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Printed Date: 19 December 2025 at 7:49pm
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Topic: Too much milk can be a problem
Posted By: S Brochocka
Subject: Too much milk can be a problem
Date Posted: 12 April 2007 at 1:57pm
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I posted here a while ago about Oliver and his 45m day sleeps which were doing my head in. Anyway, thought I would share what the underlying problem was as no medical professional ever pointed it out to me (thank goodness for the internet!). Anyway, I have always had a great milk supply which midwives etc say 'isn't that fantastic' and O has put on heaps of weight, again always gets a tick. (Some other symptoms are a painful let down, lots of dirty nappies, spitting up...) But actually my excessive milk supply (and we aren't talkign leaks everywhere or heaps of power spraying, just 'good and full') has meant that even though O only ever has one side at a feed he has been getting too much foremilk which has given him an upset stomach. Too much of some enzyme apparently, as he was having to drink so much foremilk to get to the hindmilk. quite possibly he has been waking up after 45m either because he in pain or he hungry (hope not latter as I never thought to feed him, pretty sure was in pain). Was never thrashing around pain, really just enough to annoy him which is why i found it so hard to decide if was pain or just a 'woken up early but really want to be asleep' cry. anyway, now i express off a bit of foremilk before i feed him and he has been so much better. sleeping longer during the day, not spitting up as much and much more contented during tummy time. also generally has more 'relaxed' moments, rather than constantly moving as he used to. I only realised all this because i started giving him a dreamfeed and where previously he slept great at night he started to be in pain and toss and turn and whimper because i think previously he had all night to digest everything, now i was shoving yet another feed in his poor tummy. So, sorry so long but as i said no midwife, doctor or plunket ever mentioned it as a possible cause of the problem so thought i might save someone else from the pain. there might be articles on this on this site, but la leche league has a really good one. http://www.lalecheleague.org.nz/articles/gaining_gulping_grimacing.htm
Of course just when i thought i had one thing sussed, Oliver has started teething so the teething thread the other day was perfect timing! |
Replies:
Posted By: Bombshell
Date Posted: 12 April 2007 at 3:31pm
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thanks for that....i wondered about the foremilk thing the other day for us too but have actually been emptied out totally by her - nothing when expressing a few times now....so am taking yeast and eating bananas and oatmeal eve3ry day to thicken breastmilk too - works as is very thick and fills me up - but i never get too full as she feeds so much!
im going to go read that article tho as it sounds very helpful...thanks again....one fo the great things about this site is the sharing of ideas between us all |
Posted By: hailstones
Date Posted: 12 April 2007 at 3:49pm
I second that....Thanks heaps, have read the article (plus a few of the others) and found them really helpful. Cheers ------------- http://lilypie.com">  http://lilypie.com">
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Posted By: Leish
Date Posted: 12 April 2007 at 5:01pm
Lightbulb moment  Thank you so much------------- http://lilypie.com">  http://lilypie.com">
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Posted By: S Brochocka
Date Posted: 12 April 2007 at 5:37pm
| Glad you've found it helpful. i called my La Leche league local contact as well and she was very good to talk the idea through with and possible solutions. Thats interesting about the 'thickening up' ideas as trying to reduce supply is pretty hard. I'm trying to use the same breast twice in a row hoping it will tell the other to stop producing but not sure it will really work. Also as i then express prior to using the breast the first time it will just produce more....so yeast and banana's you say.. |
Posted By: Kels
Date Posted: 12 April 2007 at 7:43pm
Wow thats great info. Thanks for sharing Im glad Oliver is doing better!!------------- http://lilypie.com"> 
Busy mum to Miss 15yrs, Miss 10yrs and Master 4yrs |
Posted By: busymum
Date Posted: 12 April 2007 at 9:07pm
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Coconut cream is what I was told... and milkshakes with bananas in them. -------------  |
Posted By: yummymummy
Date Posted: 14 April 2007 at 11:33am
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Thanks for this - I've been beating up myself for not having enough milk leftover to store/freeze eg I just make enough to feed my bub. This has made me feel better - maybe just right is the right amount to have after all. ------------- http://lilypie.com">  http://lilypie.com">
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Posted By: Maya
Date Posted: 14 April 2007 at 11:47am
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Wow, I'd never heard of too much foremilk before! We live and learn! Glad to hear you've got your wee man sorted. ------------- Maya Grace (28/02/03)
 (02/01/06)
The Gremlins:Sienna Marie & Mercedes Kailah (14/10/06)
Lil miss:Chiara Louise Chloe (09/07/08)
Her ladyship:Rosalia Sophie Anais (18/06/12)
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Posted By: Andie
Date Posted: 30 May 2007 at 11:47am
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...BUMPED.... for wee Elle ------------- Andie |
Posted By: hailstones
Date Posted: 31 May 2007 at 7:48am
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Thanks Andie, I remember now about reading this and have gone back and re-read some articles on the Laleche website. Maybe i should start the 'thicken milk' routine again - does anyone know if there is something you can get at healthfood stores that can help fatten up my milk supply. ------------- http://lilypie.com"> http://lilypie.com">
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Posted By: Andie
Date Posted: 31 May 2007 at 10:20am
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Apparently peanut butter (be careful if you have a family history of allergies though) and a feed of fish'n'chips give you fattier milk. My midwife recommended fish'n'chips for tea to help Ella feed better (and sleep). Sure helped me - I didn't have to cook ------------- Andie |
Posted By: Andie
Date Posted: 31 May 2007 at 10:21am
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A banana a day is good for milk too, but I am not sure if it's to boost your milk supply (not what you're after!) or to enrich the milk. ------------- Andie |