How do you know if you have too much?

[ming2007]

i was so paranoid about my supply at first that i pumped a lot, that and it was painful to nurse due to cracked and bleeding nipples. so anyway, got all that sorted, got off the sheild all good. or so i thought.

the last few days or week my LO is battling me at the breast. he will eat for 10 mins ( pretty much exactly) absolutely fine and then he will scream and eat scream and eat. i try to burp him he does some burps, scream and eat. its soul destroying becuase i am sure he hasnt eaten enough in those 10 minutes. This is especially worse on my left side, ( think i have a very over active let down, its spurts so i try to drain a little off so he doesnt choke and feed so flow is up hill IYKWIM).

if i give him the BM in a bottle he is much better. although still a little complaining.

if i pump i can always get 3 oz even if i have nursed on that side previously. I know i am very lucky. I usually pump in th morning and night as he gets a bottle in the night and i usually freeze the morning or use it in the day if the screaming is too much and i get too stressed about it.

do you think it sounds like an oversupply? should i cut back on the pumping? or am i holding him wrong and thats why he is screaming? he eats a lot better if he is sleepy. I dont think he has any reflux issues, i thought he did at first but i dont think so. think i was looking for any answer.


Edited to add

i just fed him from the left and he did the 10 minute thing. the force of the let down was huge so i tried to feed so the flow was upward for him if you know what i mean. i think it helped a little he went back for more after the 10 mins but only little bits here and there, i even offered the other side and he did a little while on there without the crying for a w hile. the flow on the right is much less although the supply is good i think. i tried to express with my hand a little on the left here and there too to make it better for him.

i burped him for ages and now he is sleeping. he wouldnt sleep if he was hungry would he?

I am so insecure about what i am doing when it comes to feeding. its what stresses me the most. i dont even know what cues to look for really.
is panting a hunger sign? if he will take a paci does that mean he is still hungry? or just wants to suck

any tips or advice is greatly appreciated

BTW my LO is 7 weeks old tomorrow

[coopers_mommy]

First...don't stress!  Stress can lead to other issues with BF!  It sounds like  you're doing great. 

As for the strong let down....I always had one side that was like that as well.  What I would do is put my wrist across my breast where I knew the let down occurred.  This allowed to slow the let down some what as to not choke my DS.  If DS was on the other breast, I would still have my wrist on the strong let down breast to keep me from leaking everywhere. 

If your LO is gaining weight and the DR's don't seem concerned, then you shouldn't be either.  He wouldn't sleep wel if he was hungry, he'd probably be a very crankky LO if he was hungry. 

LO's at this age are still needing the sucking to help calm them, so him taking the paci doesn't mean that he is hungry.  Are you feeding every 2-3 hours?  If so, then I would say you're doing fine with the feedings.  He could also be a really quick eater.  Once my DS got the hang of BFing, he would be done so quick! 

Some signs that DS acquired to show that he was hungry was being fussy, rooting (almost like a pig) against my shoulder, or if I questioned his hunger, I would hold him int he cradle position against my breast.  If he went for the breast, then we would nurse.  We weren't on a strict schedule at 7 weeks. 

HTH!

[LeeLeeMelis]

I also had a strong let down issue and it passed on it's own. Not sure if it had anything to do with it but I also had my period at the same time and my lactation consultant told me let down issues are hormonal so I think that may have been it.

In the meantime, what really worked for us was to nurse on our side or the football position. By holding the baby higher than the breast gravity can slow down the flow enough for them to be able to swallow and not choke. 

Just like coopers_mommy said, try to not stress. Your baby is healthy and doing well it sounds like. I know how helpless it can feel when you try to feed them but they wont eat.  You're doing great, he's still a little guy so try to stop and enjoy. Good luck!