By Tracey Plant on Thursday, October 5, 2006 - 07:40 am:

Ladies, I was wondering if anyone had a suggestion to help one of the mothers in my mothers' group (she doesn't have access to the net). Her breasts are very large and she has an 'over-supply' of milk which flows out very fast. Her son (about 16 wks) screams and tries to get away when she tries to put him to the breast to feed. It's very upsetting for her and bub. She has tried feeding him in the dark which worked for a couple of feeds but then he got wise to it. He won't take EBM in a bottle. Someone else in our group suggested that she try feeding him lying down/ leaning back as this may slow the flow. Any other ideas? Thanks!

By Tracey Plant on Thursday, October 5, 2006 - 02:16 pm:

Getting desperate - I just spoke to the poor woman now and she is at her wits end, bub has only fed once for 5 mins in the past 5 hours. All he does now is sleep - no playtime, I guess he's running out of energy? If anyone knows a lactation consultant on Sydneys Northern Beaches? Thanks

By Claire (Rhubarb) on Thursday, October 5, 2006 - 04:57 pm:

Poor lady. I had really fast flow, but a guzzly baby who just drank and then threw it up! Shecould try expressing a bit of milk before the feed to reduce the flow. Also, she could try some sips of EBM from a cup or dropper to keep bub's energy and hydration up.
If all else fails, I would head into the local maternal health nurse or maternal hospital ASAP if I was her.
Sometimes bouncing on a swiss ball while offeringg the breast encouraged my little fela when he was reluctant to feed.
Hope she's OK,
Claire

By Pinky on Thursday, October 5, 2006 - 10:48 pm:

Hi Tracey

Look up the Australian Lactation consultants Association www.alca.asn.au They have a Find a lactation consultant page - also do a search for the College of Lactation consultaants - there is a NSW branch.

Meanwhile - you say he is 16 weeks - has he been feeding ok til now? If so have there been changes eg - does she have a new deodorant? Dietary changes? Oral contraceptives?

Mum could try expressing a bit first, placing boob on a rolled up towel for support ( it may be heavy in bubs mouth if he is also coping with afast flow), and lying down.

I really think seeing an LC is in order - not all MCh nurses are LCs so not all advice from them is good -sorry I dont mean to offend the fabulous nurses out there but have heard some 'doozies' in the last few days.

Best of luck,
Pinky

By Tracey Plant on Friday, October 6, 2006 - 08:17 am:

Thanks Pinky. From what I know, Susan had over-supply when her son was first born, but it settled down. Not sure why it has started again. She has tried feeding him while lying down, but his little face gets smothered by the breast. Will mention your tip about a towel for support. I suggested that she lie on her back and try to hold his head up to keep his face clear (read that on the Bellybelly forum)? She has been expressing but is obviously concerned that she is perpetuating the problem. She is going to a bf 'clinic' at our local family care centre, but I am urging her to go to a LC. Will check out the site for someone local.

Thanks again.
Tracey