Green poo, fussiness at breast, no letdown...

[Jessi]

Hi all,
  My dd is now 19wks old and has done well with nursing up until this week.  Two days ago, she started having bright green poos, (which I know is a sign that maybe she is not getting the hind milk).  She also will nurse for a minute or so and then begin coming off the breast, like she is frustrated, so I end up switching her to the other side.  We do this dance the whole feeding and she ends up very frustrated.  I only feel mild letdown during this.  Tonight she ended up screaming and screaming in frustration, so I fixed her a 6 oz bottle of formula that I had a sample of out of desperation and she drank the whole thing happily.  I'm not sure what is causing this drop in supply.  I've been on the mini pill for 3 months now and thought that if it was going to have an effect, it would have done it sooner.  I've been stressed out a lot lately with my 2 year old son who is getting molars and exercising his willfullness...Could this be it?  What can I do?  I tried to pump after giving her a bottle tonight, but had no letdown and only a few drops came out.  My breasts feel limp and empty.  I went to the store and bought some Mother's Milk tea and am going to try it.  Anyone had any luck with this?  Any ideas on what I should do? 

Jessi 

[owelley]

Maybe you could try increasing your milk supply with the pump.  I have the Avent ISis and I love it!!  To be honest, I'm not sure what the feeling of a let down really feels like but I know my lo is getting milk because I can here her swallow.  I take brewers yeast to increase my supply.  I fyou keep giving formula instead of nursing her your supply will decrease.  I'm no expert but this is what I as told by the public health nurse that came to my house when I gave birth and was having some troubles with breastfeeding.  HTH

[wonderma]

I had a simliar problem with the fussiness and bobbing on and off, also a stretch of night waking. Now that its over (lasted about 4 days) I realized it was a growth spurt. I had trouble pumping. I felt like I had no milk.  A bottle of previously pumped and frozen breast milk seemed to help too. I think the fussiness was becasue the milk is either coming too slow or not enough. I fed on both breasts, tried pumping for a bit after feeds (then give pumped milk at the next feed, even if only 1 oz). I needed lots of support from hubby. I was glad I hung in there, it did resolve. Not sure if that will help you.

Once my DS had green poo, but I think it was becasue I was on antibiotics for post op c section infection.

[Samuel's mum]

Firstly I would put aside the fact you are not getting anything with a pump. That can be caused by anxiety and is common even for relaxed mums. It does not necessarily indicate supply problems in general - breasts can just become accustomed to baby's milking action and won't cooperate with a pump.

At 19 weeks it is normal and correct that your breast being to feel more 'empty'.
This is because they are becoming adjusted to feeding and are less engorged with blood and fluid around the milk- producing cells. Milk isn't what makes us feel full. It doesn't all sit in the breast before a feed - it almost all made by the body during a feed. It is also very very normal for women to stop 'feeling' letdown reflex - some mums never feel it. I stopped feeling it after a few weeks too.

It is right that every feed of formula means less milk is made by your body. I would continue dry pumping even if nothing is coming out or learn about hand expressing:
 
http://www.lactationinstitute.org/MANUALEX.html

What you do pump, store and only give it if she is still unhappy after a feed. Don't ever give it at the beginning of a feed.

Your description of green poo and a baby bobbing on and off can actually indicate an oversupply as well as supply problems. I would really recommend you speak to an expert if you are committed to breastfeeding and want to avoid moving to formula. A very short phone call could answer all your questions. There are numbers on this board or look for your local La Leche League. You've done really well up until now. You've got past the bit where most people struggle you can get through this too.

[Jessi]

Okay, things are looking better after a couple of days.  I think it could have been a growth spurt, or a few too many days of not enough rest, water, and food--it happens with a two year old who's getting his molars!  I also started drinking Mother's Milk tea and it seems to have made some difference.  She is still fussy in the evening like she's not getting enough, but I've been able to pump and save about an ounce the last two days, which seems to top her off.  I called her ped re:green poo and she said not to worry.  So all is well.  Thank you for your advice and reassurance!

[nicolanorway]

hey there,
my ds has been having green poo's lately, and i don't think it is anything to do with lack of hind milk. he eats well from both breast's. i had been eating alot apples when this started to happen, could this be the same for you? go and get him weighed and if he is gaining weight okay then don't worry about the poo. they anything goes re. poo when babies are BF. be paitent with the BFding and try to relax both yourself and baby before you begin (not always possible i know). calming music, if that's not too distracting and a darkened room (no t.v. etc).
hope this helps and i wish you and every mum out there good luck.