Author Topic: Too Much Foremilk - Effects???  (Read 2107 times)

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Offline Shellha

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Too Much Foremilk - Effects???
« on: August 11, 2006, 17:19:58 pm »
Switched to double sided feeding after suggestions from other BW'ers as my 12 wk old DS was bobbing on and off and crying during feeds. He used to feed 20 mins one side, now does 10 mins approx each side.

Over the last 2-3 days he has been vomiting LOADS (he has silent reflux but he is vomiting immediately after a feed and then up to 2 - 3 hrs after) and I wondered if he is perhaps getting too much foremilk and this is a reason for his excess vomiting.

He is under the weather as it is, but just wanted to ask this question in case it could be a contributing factor.

Thanks

Offline Samuel's mum

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Re: Too Much Foremilk - Effects???
« Reply #1 on: August 11, 2006, 19:20:38 pm »
Quote (selected)
He used to feed 20 mins one side, now does 10 mins approx each side.

I'm a bit concerned about this statement. Surely he should still be doing the usual 20 minute feed and then doing some additional time on the second breast? Are you taking him off number 1 in order to move to number 2?

It's really important you don't shorten his time at the first breast. He should still be going just as long in order to reach the hindmilk.
It's certainly possible if he's gone from 20 on one side to 10 + 10 that he is now getting two loads of foremilk (he probably will be getting some hindmilk as it's a gradual transition but not all of it).
Sometimes excess wind/gas and greenish poos are also indicators of too much foremilk. As it's lighter than hindmilk it does often come back up more easily.

I would suggest you focus on that first breast feed. Make sure he is going as long as he was before. Put him back on it if he just bobs off but when he comes off 'satisfied' or 'finished' then offer the second breast. Then next time the second breast gets the 'full' treatment.
If you've been doing a few day of 10 + 10 then you may find your breasts have altered their supply a little so make sure you really focus on getting that first breast drained (you should sense his swallowing slow down when the thicker hindmilk is there) and in a couple of days you should be fine.

Don't forget you can also phone a breastfeeding helpline if you'd like to chat with an expert.
« Last Edit: August 11, 2006, 19:22:23 pm by Samuel's mum »
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Offline Shellha

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Re: Too Much Foremilk - Effects???
« Reply #2 on: August 12, 2006, 15:42:58 pm »
Hi Samuela's Mum

I posted here - https://babywhispererforums.com/index.php?topic=67974.0 and this is why I switched to 2 sided feeding as a result of your reply and another BW.

Have gone back to 1 sided feeding as he cries frantically after about 10 mins on one side (used to take 15-20 mins) and isn't interested in feeding anymore. He is happy as soon as I lift him away from the breast and has stretched to 3.5hr between feeds without a problem (used to be 2.5-3 max)

Seems I knew the reason for his excess vomiting etc without needing to ask!

Offline Samuel's mum

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Re: Too Much Foremilk - Effects???
« Reply #3 on: August 12, 2006, 20:16:48 pm »
Sorry if I'm confusing you with all this double/single sided talk!!  :-[
I just had a panic that perhaps you were cutting him short after 10 minutes in order to move to boob 2!!!! Which I can see from another post on super-sucking is not your issue - it sounds as though he's just got very efficient.

It seems as though his initial frustration was him saying "I'm done". Perhaps he was just taking the second breast because it was a fast letdown and being offered. And he didn't need it as it was coming back up again as you say.

Anyway I'll shut up as it sounds as though you know what's going on and have the situation under control.
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