Super-slow let down... need hugs and encouragement

[anna*]

This happened with Stan, although I'm sure it was a bit later....

My let-down has gone from about 1.5-2mins to about 5 mins. Makes for a really unhappy, frustrated baby (and likewise mum). I get bitten and head butted, then she gives up in disgust and just cries, which all adds to the general atmosphere of horribleness.

There was no 'cure' before, I just had to wait it out. Like last time, I'm sure that a big part of it is being so run down and not really taking care of myself (skipping meals, eating cr@p), and of course being so tired.

Like last time, I'm taking Fenugreek because if there's just more milk there all round, maybe it will encourage her to just hang out there a bit longer and maybe wait long enough for a let down.

  it DID pass... it WILL pass... I fed Stan til he was 2 and I want to do the same with Audrey - although she is a much less patient personality, and may not let me 

[Peek-a-boo]

{{{Hugs}}}

Some things that come to mind . . .

Drink lots of water.
Try to make the environment in which you nurse soothing and relaxing--dim lights, maybe soft music, etc--and really focus in on her.  The let down is in part a psychological response to baby, not just sucking.   As my babies get older I tend to be less focused on them and feed on auto-pilot and I wonder if that has in impact on my let down. 
Give yourself permission to let stuff go and get whatever rest you can. 


Big {{{Hugs}}}

[Fiver]

*hugs* I know it sounds ridiculous, but you can kind of train your body to letdown in response to some sort of physical stimulus.  So, when you do have a letdown, find something you can do (that might be pinching yourself, a pelvic floor lift (get them in there somehow LOL!), do it when you're having the letdown.  Repeat at next couple of feeds.  After a while, you should (hopefully!) find that doing that thing elicits a letdown.

I know it sounds crazy, but I've done it and, even though I don't use it so often now, it does still work (I do the Kegels!)

Otherwise looking at things like breast compressions to keep her interested before letdown comes (also helps it along) or an instant reward techniques like hand expressing until you're about to letdown before popping her on.

Like you said, this too shall pass.

[Erin M]

Good advice from pps, just some (((hugs))))

[anna*]

I am trying to remember to drink more. You're right about feeding on autopilot. An emotional response for sure, and when she can stay calm snd patient, it happens so much quicker - catch 22 for sure.

I do compressions, can't tell if it really helps or not. I will try the conditioning thing again - I tried with Stan but couldn't make it work!