Hi All,
I have a client who has a tremendously fluctuating milk supply. I told
her I would post here today for possble insights. This is one of those
whose supply is "all over the place". You'll understand that by the end of
this posting.
G1 P1, vag delivery, uncomlicated, 6#15oz.
sleepy baby, not gaining well.
mom starts fenugreek/blessed thistle and rents scale to do pre and post
feedings. (advice from someone else)
Mom calls me when baby is 5 wks old and very fussy. Gaining well. But
eating 5-6 oz every 3-4 hours! (now 9#) Mom pumps off 15 oz(!) after am
feeding.
* obviously oversupply! AND reflux, as baby refluxed several times in my
clinic whenever placed semi reclining. Note to doctor, baby started on
zantac.
* discuss ways to decrease supply, block feeding, reverse compression
technique or pumping off fast flowing milk prior to latching, stopping
fenugreek/blessed thistle.
daily phone calls see am. pumping steadily decreasing.
5 days after our visit, she now pumps 7oz after am feeding, but it takes
about an hour of eating the rest of the day for baby to get 2 1/2 - 3 oz and
mom reports breasts feeling flacid.
* so, we change block feeding to meeting needs of baby. If no longer eating
at breast, and breast feels soft, switch to other breast.
mom also working on positioning, keeping baby upright, buys tucker sling,
tries colic calm, doctor adds prevacid....
supply still decreasing, breasts soft in am., doesnt pump, taking long time
to get 2-3 out for baby, started back on fenugreek/blessed thistle 1:1 TID
supply seems to even out, mom happy to pump off extra 5-6 oz after am
feeding, so can offer a bottle now and then. mom starts weaning off fen/bles
this. very gradually.
a week goes by, she calls wondering if her milk is "spoiled".
start "scalding" milk after pumping.
another week goes by, baby now seems sick, not eating much, and supply seems
to have dwindled, as she is only eating about 2 oz, takes a long time, and
cant pump any extra out.
she is taking fenugreek/blessed thistle again x 2 days.
so far, it hasnt come back up yet.
So - baby has appt today with doc, but probably just a tummy virus. She
described some "diarrhea" diapers. Baby also has GI appt for reflux next
week. Her supply seems sooooo
sensitive to everything! Its "all over the place". I have never dealt with
anything like this and suggested the mom have her thyroid checked.
What else???
Linda Hill RN, IBCLC
Austin TX
***********************************************
Archives: http://community.lsoft.com/archives/LACTNET.html
To reach list owners: [log in to unmask]
Mail all list management commands to: [log in to unmask]
COMMANDS:
1. To temporarily stop your subscription write in the body of an email: set lactnet nomail
2. To start it again: set lactnet mail
3. To unsubscribe: unsubscribe lactnet
4. To get a comprehensive list of rules and directions: get lactnet welcome
|
