https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Thu, 09 Apr 2026 03:08:57 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/oversupplyoverfeedingforemilk-imbalance-in-ebf-newborn-with-bad-reflux#post-2284286 Sat, 05 Sep 2015 21:43:14 +0000 MrsSRS 2284286@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Jess1483: I was going to suggest maybe one, low dose of sudafed but was afraid you all might think I was nuts. It might be worth it, but with the knowledge that it is possible for it to backfire and give you undersupply. </p> <p>The one side preference is a straightforward fix if you are comfy with pediatric chiropractic or cranial sacral therapy. Preferring one side is usually a neck/spine/muscle alignment issue. Fixed in 1-3 visits by a qualified practician.<br /> @Kemma: Yeah. My reflux baby also had good luck with the bedtime feed being a pumped bottle and sleeping elevated like in a Rock n Play or being worn in a wrap. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/oversupplyoverfeedingforemilk-imbalance-in-ebf-newborn-with-bad-reflux#post-2284080 Sat, 05 Sep 2015 17:34:50 +0000 Jess1483 2284080@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>With such an oversupply, has anyone suggested taking sudafed? You should talk to your doc first, but we almost got to that point this time. But definitely sage tea. I noticed a difference in just a day. You can also eat it on your food. </p> <p>One other strategy I've read is to pump to totally drain your breasts, then block feed. I never did it because it seemed counterproductive, but it's an option at least. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/oversupplyoverfeedingforemilk-imbalance-in-ebf-newborn-with-bad-reflux#post-2284076 Sat, 05 Sep 2015 17:27:39 +0000 rosegold 2284076@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MrsADS: it's ok! it is misery! but stay strong, baby will too. keep at it, that's all i can say with the advice i gave. i cant see it being a latch issue cause you said baby is thriving. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/oversupplyoverfeedingforemilk-imbalance-in-ebf-newborn-with-bad-reflux#post-2284073 Sat, 05 Sep 2015 17:22:32 +0000 MrsADS 2284073@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@rosegold Thanks mama, it is so hard :crying: I know I am probably pumping too much but I am SO engorged, it hurts. This is also complicated by the fact that LO for some reason really hates my right breast and I can only get him to latch on the right side maybe 1 out of 10 times. So block feeding on the left is no problem... on the right, a different story. He has fed on the left all day and I haven't pumped for several hours. Even after he has been block feeding all day on the left, my left breast is STILL hard and engorged after he finishes. I don't see it getting soft unless I pump out like 3-4 oz just before I feed him. Which is going to make my oversupply worse. Ugggh. :bummed: </p> <p>I just hope that it adjusts soon and LO outgrows some of the reflux as he gets older. I dread the nights because I know he is going to be up screaming in pain and it's just so awful. We both cry a lot. He wants to nurse for comfort but I know it will make it worse, so my mom and husband help to hold/shush/pat him because he smells my milk and gets hysterical and I feel so bad, all he wants is me and my milk is hurting him. My mom is flying home on Thursday and I don't know what we're going to do. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/oversupplyoverfeedingforemilk-imbalance-in-ebf-newborn-with-bad-reflux#post-2284048 Sat, 05 Sep 2015 16:31:52 +0000 rosegold 2284048@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MrsADS: i could actually cry for you. we went through only slight reflux but definitely a foremilk/hindmilk imbalance. honestly I didn't get it figured out until he was two months old and by then the engorgement had stopped and I could regularly block feed. </p> <p>even if he sucks from one side all day, try it. i have found that even when my breast is soft, baby can still get fatty milk. when he latches<br /> on and off and whines, it's time to switch. pump the other breast, but not for too long. hang in there! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/oversupplyoverfeedingforemilk-imbalance-in-ebf-newborn-with-bad-reflux#post-2284047 Sat, 05 Sep 2015 16:21:13 +0000 MrsADS 2284047@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Autumnlove oh I hope that is the case for us! I hate seeing him suffer like that... plus I am literally up all night, every night with a screaming, uncomfortable baby! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/oversupplyoverfeedingforemilk-imbalance-in-ebf-newborn-with-bad-reflux#post-2284045 Sat, 05 Sep 2015 16:19:42 +0000 autumn865 2284045@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I totally understand where you're coming from. I had oversupply and overactive letdown with both my girls. I was told with an oversupply not to pump at all because it will just signal to your body to make more. Maybe try block feeding on one side for multiple feedings? Like 2 or more feedings on a single side and then hand express/ pump very little on the other side only for comfort? My body would hyper respond if I pumped so I never was able to. Do you have an overactive letdown? Is your baby gulping and struggling during letdown? I was told with the overactive letdown to take the baby off during letdown and let the spray go into a burp cloth because often they're getting tons of air trying to keep up. And as sad as it is your baby might not be able to comfort nurse right now because it only stimulates your body to make more. I was told by my Lc to utilize a pacifier :( I was so sad because I always pictured us having these comfy cozy sleepy baby feedings but with my oversupply and overactive letdown I really haven't been able to have that. But definitely try the block feeding multiple times on a side. This really helped my supply regulate. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/oversupplyoverfeedingforemilk-imbalance-in-ebf-newborn-with-bad-reflux#post-2284030 Sat, 05 Sep 2015 15:47:31 +0000 autumnlove 2284030@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I had issues like this for LO 2 and my LC told me to reduce my pump sessions.. The reflux issues went away for LO around 5-6 weeks. Hang in there! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/oversupplyoverfeedingforemilk-imbalance-in-ebf-newborn-with-bad-reflux#post-2284026 Sat, 05 Sep 2015 15:42:49 +0000 MrsADS 2284026@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs Green Grass The GI mentioned thickened feeds but I figure if he's gaining well I'd rather him just have BM if we can swing it. I am definitely going to push for Prevacid - I don't think the Zantac is getting the job done.</p> <p>@MrsSRS I started this week with eliminating dairy to see if that will help. I don't really want to go full on elimination diet unless I really have to, but both the ped and the GI suggested cutting dairy as a relatively easy thing that might help. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/oversupplyoverfeedingforemilk-imbalance-in-ebf-newborn-with-bad-reflux#post-2284024 Sat, 05 Sep 2015 15:39:27 +0000 Kemma 2284024@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Just tagging on to @Mrs Green Grass: suggestion, do you think making baby's final feed before bed one from the bottle might help? You could still make it breastmilk but it might help by at least removing the flow issues out of the mix.</p> <p>Also, do you have a wrap or carrier? Lots of reflux babies do well in a carrier because it keeps them upright. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/oversupplyoverfeedingforemilk-imbalance-in-ebf-newborn-with-bad-reflux#post-2284016 Sat, 05 Sep 2015 15:11:47 +0000 MrsSRS 2284016@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I second trying to do a minimum of two feeds on one side to help regulate supply. Try ice and cabbage leaves on the engorged side. After your supply regulates if he's still unhappy look at your diet. My reflux baby's pain was exacerbated by MSPI. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/oversupplyoverfeedingforemilk-imbalance-in-ebf-newborn-with-bad-reflux#post-2284005 Sat, 05 Sep 2015 15:01:20 +0000 Mrs Green Grass 2284005@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I don't have experience with oversupply, just severe reflux, but severe reflux plus oversupply seems like a really tough issue to overcome! 1) I would definitely not pump. 2) would you consider formul? Or even pumping and bottle feeding? It would make it a lot easier for him. Maybe you could do that while regulating your supply and then try the breast again? I would also push for Prevacid. They all work differently and that worked the best for my son.</p> <p>We had terrible feeding issues and it took thickening his milk with enfamil AR (mixed with breast milk) to get him eating good amounts. I ended up pumping for 11 months but still mixed with formula the entire time because that is what ended up working best. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/oversupplyoverfeedingforemilk-imbalance-in-ebf-newborn-with-bad-reflux#post-2283996 Sat, 05 Sep 2015 14:46:08 +0000 MrsADS 2283996@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Jess1483 @Gentlelunette @Kemma thanks ladies. It is really crappy. I feel terrible that he is so miserable and obviously in pain, and we're all miserable from being awake all night. We are trying to get LO to take a paci... sometimes he will, sometimes he won't. Obviously he prefers boobies. LOL. That is a great idea to check out the LLL message boards, I am definitely doing that now!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/oversupplyoverfeedingforemilk-imbalance-in-ebf-newborn-with-bad-reflux#post-2283991 Sat, 05 Sep 2015 14:32:16 +0000 Kemma 2283991@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I don't have any experience with reflux but oversupply and OALD can be a bitch so here's my advice...</p> <p>Minimise the pumping so you're not encouraging your body to make more milk</p> <p>Block feeding - feed baby on only one side for a set period of time (maybe 3-4 hours) which will help with the oversupply and the fore / hind milk imbalance</p> <p>Try smaller but more frequent feeds so that baby isn't overfilling his wee tummy (should also help with the flow)</p> <p>Try taking baby off the breast when you feel the letdown then relatching once the flow has calmed down</p> <p>Try laid back / biological nursing so baby can control the milk better and gravity helps slow it down too.</p> <p>Limit comfort sucking at the breast and try giving your wee babe a paci or your clean pinky finger.</p> <p>Check out the LLL message boards! Lots of great ladies who can give you really great advice :-) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/oversupplyoverfeedingforemilk-imbalance-in-ebf-newborn-with-bad-reflux#post-2283909 Sat, 05 Sep 2015 11:33:49 +0000 gentlelunette 2283909@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I don't have a lot of advice as my supply seemed to regulate fairly quickly, but one thing that helped quite a bit was a pacifier. Does/will he take a pacifier? I had oversupply and a reflux baby and she simply couldn't nurse for comfort (although she really wanted to). The pacifier went into her mouth immediately after feeds (it also helps digest the food a bit quicker because of the saliva production, thus helping to keep the reflux at bay a bit). If you haven't tried it, it might be worth a shot. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/oversupplyoverfeedingforemilk-imbalance-in-ebf-newborn-with-bad-reflux#post-2283864 Sat, 05 Sep 2015 10:08:09 +0000 Jess1483 2283864@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I totally feel you. I have the same oversupply issues, though luckily not as extreme a reflux issue (my guy has it, but is generally happy and not in pain). Try drinking sage tea (like, use the herb like loose leaf tea). It's gross, but helps. A few cups a day. </p> <p>I would keep block feeding, trying to do two feeds a side before switching. I also think the more you can space feeds out the better. While block feeding, I would try to pump only for comfort. The LCs I've talked to lately have said new fore milk/hind milk research says it's not as big a deal. Same nutrients, just not the fat calories. If he is gaining so well, I wouldn't worry about that as much. </p> <p>I'm on my phone and running late. I'll try to come back later with more. It's so hard, Mama, but will get better. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/oversupplyoverfeedingforemilk-imbalance-in-ebf-newborn-with-bad-reflux#post-2283852 Sat, 05 Sep 2015 09:56:14 +0000 MrsADS 2283852@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>So, that post title is clear as mud but I wanted to include everything - here is the book on LO's feeding issues. I need help!!!</p> <p>My son is 11 days old and EBF. He has horrible reflux and is on Zantac, but I am not sure it's helping that much. He's up all night and a lot of the day - after feeds he is screaming, arching his back, clearly in pain/uncomfortable, tons of spitting up (we're talking like 10x in a 5 hour period last night). </p> <p>We went to the lactation consultant earlier this week and the pediatrician yesterday to continue to follow up on these issues. I have a huge oversupply (I could feed him all he wanted and still easily pump 20-25+ oz a day) and he is transferring the milk extremely quickly - at the weighted feed, I only nursed him for maybe 1-2 minutes, she weighed him and he already got 1.5 oz. The LC seems to think I have a foremilk/hindmilk imbalance due to the oversupply. She thinks he's getting too much foremilk since my breasts are so full and that is upsetting his stomach and leading to the screaming, arching back, etc. I am already doing block feeding (only feed one side per feeding). She recommended that I pump on the side I am going to feed him on until I am not engorged, to the point that when he's done with the feeding, my breast is totally soft so I know he's getting the hind milk. Well, the problem with that is I often have to pump 3-4 oz PRIOR to the feed before I get to that point (and even then, my breast is usually not completely soft when he is done). I am concerned this is just triggering my body to make more milk which is making the problem worse. I still have to pump some on the side I am not feeding (I get so incredibly engorged). But, if let's say I feed him on the left side for 3 feedings, then want to feed him on the right, the right side is SO ENGORGED that I would need to pump out like 6-7 oz to get to the point where he would "empty" the breast after the feed and get the hind milk - and I know that pumping that much is just going to keep the milk production in high gear.</p> <p>Now, we went back to the ped yesterday. She feels like maybe he is overfeeding and that is making the reflux worse. He gained 3 oz in 2 days. She says that is more than normal (I guess BF babies are usually like 5-7 oz a week?), but she's less concerned about the weight gain and more concerned that my oversupply is overfilling his belly and making the reflux pain worse. She said babies sometimes don't really know if they are hungry or their bellies hurt because all they know is "I want to nurse for comfort." And I was definitely doing that with him. She wants us to space out all his feeds to 3 hours apart (or at least try) to see if that helps. So we tried starting yesterday. The first feed we made it to 2.5 hours and he was HYSTERICAL so I fed him then. I am not going to let my NB cry so hard for 30 minutes, forget it. But, during the night we tried to comfort him in other ways if I knew he had just fed an hour ago (daddy rocks him, using a paci, etc), but I did feed him if he got really inconsolable and it seemed like it was hunger. I tried too that when he started getting sleepy, slip him off the breast and give him a paci so he's not getting overfilled with milk. The ped also recommended I pump as little as possible to try to avoid stimulating more milk production.</p> <p>Well, in spite of all that, last night was AWFUL. The worst night so far with the reflux. After every feed, spitting up 3-4x (and not a "happy spitter" - crying and obviously uncomfortable), just generally crying and unhappy for hours after the feeding. I also tried to pump less (so when I fed him, I was a bit fuller) and he had a very green poopy diaper (which I think is a sign of too much foremilk?). </p> <p>The ped seems not to want to rush to put him on stronger meds (it would probably be Prevacid) but I hate seeing him so miserable after feeding if we can fix it. I also am clueless about what to do re: pumping. Pump on the side I am going to feed him on to ensure he gets enough hindmilk? Pump as little as possible and wait for my supply to hopefully regulate? </p> <p>I know that oversupply must seem like a "good problem" to have but I feel like my milk is hurting my baby and I don't know what to do. :crying: </p>