Baby doesn’t drain breasts & triple feeding??

[servingnovice]

So my baby is 11 weeks, and we’ve been working with a lactation specialist for about a month and he is finally in a better place with nursing (actually latching/nursing as opposed to crying when he sees my Boobs). However, he definitely does not drain my breasts before he fatigues out and I usually have to supplement him an ounce or so from a bottle. Do I then have to pump as well to fully drain my breasts so I don’t lose my supply? AKA 3 steps per feed - nurse, bottle, pump? Or if he feeds on both breasts, do I not have to pump every time even if he’s not fully draining them? Anyone else have to triple feed?

My lactation consultant says nurse, then pump and bottle at same time (which is difficult when you’re all hooked up, which is partly why I’m wondering if anyone else had a similar situation and didn’t always pump after, with success).

P.s. I know your breasts are never “completely” drained. But I mean he won’t nurse to the point that they go floppy essentially and I know they’re “done” until the next feed. You know what i mean lol

 

[briansew]

@servingnovice My baby did this because she had a tongue tie. How long are you supposed to triple feed? Triple feeding isn’t meant to be a long term solution because it’s exhausting; I did it for 2 weeks after my 9week old had her tongue tie release and it was not something I ever want to do again. What is the LC’s long term plan?

 

[raleigh36girl]

@servingnovice Here is what my lactation consultant finally said and the internet says. Yea triple feeding is the surest way to know you are still following supply and demand. When you supplement your breast a don’t get a full picture of how much milk is needed, even when you pump it’s never going to be exact but it helps. That being said, triple feeding has become the default and in most cases it should actually only be recommended as a temporary measure while the baby’s latch of supply is established. It is very time consuming and physically draining for mom and baby.

My baby was very fussy even after switch nursing and power pumping to get a massive supply because he had a weak suck reflex. Everyday he was exhausted and working so hard.

I had my lactation consultant telling me I needed to use preemie nipples and finally my pediatrian told me to up the size after failure to thrive and a tongue and lip tie release.

At 11 weeks pp, what is your doctor and lactation consultant advising?

 

[taji783]

@servingnovice I don’t really nurse my baby until she’s “milk drunk” anymore. Maybe I should? Curious what others think. That sounds like what you’re describing by floppy. At 11 weeks she just doesn’t really get sleepy and floppy from a feed anymore. She’s just content afterwards. When she was younger she did the milk drunk thing. Now it only happens if the feed happens to take place right before a nap or bedtime when she’s sleepy.

 

[laowaiphil]

@servingnovice Why top off with a bottle? Is he fatiguing out but still hungry and fussing about it? Or is he falling asleep at the breast and you’re waking him to take an ounce from a bottle? Personally, I would stop with the bottles and just recognize that the next feed will happen sooner.

Caveat: I’m addressing only the info I have available. You didn’t specify any weight gain or other medical issues going on; my advice is for a generally healthy and growing (even if growing slowly) baby. I see a lot of parents doing a bunch of extra stuff that’s not required because they get freaked out by something and make things more complicated than they need to be.

Source: parent of 4, all breastfed past 1 year

 

[mmbeyer01]

@laowaiphil We are having the same problem, he is fatiguing out but still hungry and fussing about it. We are using a nipple shield because he is having trouble latching and if he does latch it is only for about 5 minutes max. So then he gets frustrated and cries so i put a nipple shield and this works for abit, although it seems like he will suckle for about 5-10 mins and fall asleep sometimes waking up with hunger signs but rejecting the nipple and shield. But will take bottle no problem.

 

[laowaiphil]

@mmbeyer01 Have you tried switching breasts or changing positions? My fourth is 1mo and has never had a bottle; all he know is the breast. And yet, sometimes he won’t latch when I know he’s hungry (giving early cues). If I switch positions or switch breasts most of the time that’s all it takes. Other times I’ll give him the paci for a couple minutes and try again, at which time he latches. Now, he’s not screaming at any point in this (usually)—I just round robin the options until something takes. But, he’s already about 2lbs over birth weight so we’re not dealing with weight gain or supply issues.

And sometimes he nurses for 5 min and wants it again in 30 min, sometimes he nurses for 20 and he’s good for a few hours. I just follow his cues, I don’t monitor/click watch anything.

 

[emersonboi]

@servingnovice Triple feeding was recommended to us as well. If you don't drain your breast, your supply can decrease.

 

[laowaiphil]

@emersonboi If baby is eating until satiated but not draining the breast, then a bit of a supply drop is not necessarily a problem. It would just be regulating to baby’s demands.

 

[emersonboi]

@laowaiphil This is true. I read op's statements about supply loss as concern.

 

[snowmang]

@servingnovice Definitely do what your LC told you.

Remember: this is a season. Your LO may not great at emptying you right now, but that doesn’t mean it’ll always be that way.

Everything takes time and adjustment. Babies need time to build up strength too.

 

[craftymama]

@servingnovice I would follow the lactation consultants advice.

I found a wireless pump from Momcozy. It isn't as powerful as the traditional breast pump, but it allows for some mobility.