Author Topic: Getting Hindmilk?  (Read 1698 times)

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2girls

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Getting Hindmilk?
« on: October 24, 2005, 04:28:26 am »
Hello - got acouple of questions... My  3 1/2 month old is bf and I'm not sure if she is receiving enough hindmilk.  Weight gain and wet diapers are fine but her bm's have been green the last few weeks.  I've been reading that it could be not getting enough hindmilk or could be a reaction to something I am eating?  She eats every 2 to 3 hours during the day and has a 5 to 6 hour stretch at night.  She eats for about 8 minutes on each side.  By 8 minutes the swallowing has mostly stopped but if I can get to stay on until about 13 minutes I sometimes get another let down.  Is she getting enough hindmilk if she only stays on for 8 minutes or so?  Any thoughts?? Thanks

Offline Luisasmum

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Getting Hindmilk?
« Reply #1 on: October 24, 2005, 08:19:48 am »
Hmmmm, hard to say. It depends on how much milk you have as to whether or not she is getting enough hindmilk. I don't know why the poos would be green, maybe you need to keep a food diary and just start off with really basic food to see if that helps.

My dd only ever drank for 5 to 7 minutes max and I am sure she was only getting foremilk. I had a lot of milk so I started to express about 100mls off the breast I was going to feed off before a feed to get rid of the foremilk. And I would only feed off one breast per session. I found by the afternoon, I didn't need to express off any milk as it was only hindmilk coming out. Give it a try. If she takes a bottle, and you can express, you could try expressing hindmilk and giving her that for a couple of feeds. At least then you can be sure she is getting hindmilk.

I did a lot of experiments expressing different amounts off and I found for me I had to express at least 150mls before the hindmilk came out. She still only drank for 5 to 7 mins though every 2 - 3 hours day and night. The only thing that fixed it was reflux meds but even then she only drank for 9 mins max every 3 hours.

Have you spoken to a professional about this yet? My child health nurse was the one who picked up on the reflux and got us on track. Your dd isn't on antibiotics by any chance? That can make poos green.

Good luck.
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Offline Erin (redstarfalling)

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Getting Hindmilk?
« Reply #2 on: October 25, 2005, 00:24:14 am »
Are you noticing that the poos tend to be rather explosive too and does she have more gas?  My dd had a green poo problem for a while which I was pretty sure was too much foremilk.  To combat this, I would pump off a little at the start of each feed, and I also tried doubling up feedings for a couple of days - single side feeding for one feed, then use the same breast to start the next feed.  I'm not sure about recommending that willy-nilly though - it could be problematic to your supply if you're not single side feeding to begin with...  But also use breast compression as your dd starts to slow down - it'll really encourage her to empty the breast and get the fatty stuff out of there!
Erin
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Offline joannec

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Getting Hindmilk?
« Reply #3 on: October 26, 2005, 06:55:48 am »
I agree with Erin's Mum, try starting the next feed with the breast you finished the last one on and then offer the other one if bub is interested. Breast compression near the end to lengthen the feed and assist in accessing the hindmilk works well. I have to do both with my DS and often express off my initial letdown prior to feeding, especially in the morning when there's more milk. I've seen a huge change in his poo's when I stick to this. For EBF bubs they should usually look like curried yoghurt - a great description I picked up from Dr Jack Newmans website, which also includes a good video demo of breast compression. I think it's on the Birth Den, one of the Mods will have the link. Good Luck, it will improve.

Cheers, Jo

DS - Noah 29/7/05
Jo
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