Burbs, Gas, and Keeping Momma Up!

Could be related to your overproduction problem. How are you handling that?

I had the same issue, and I used a hand-pump before feeding the baby. I would do just 20 pumps with the hand pump to get rid of the most forceful letdown (which is when the baby can swallow a lot of air trying to keep up) then let him nurse. And I would then only have him nurse on 1 side for the entire nursing session. Nursing only on one side lets the baby get plenty of the rich hindmilk, and also helps to decrease your supply in the long run.

Another entirely different possibility is that your baby has an intolerance that bothers her tummy after nursing. Try cutting dairy out of your diet for 2 weeks and see if she's less gassy and spits up less.

That sounds like an overactive letdown possibly. I had it and it caused my DD to get very gassy. As soon as you let down, spray the foremilk into a cloth diaper or towel or something. She doesn't have to have the foremilk. Wait until it slows down (a few mins) and then let her latch on again. This helped my DD immensely. A lactation consultant dx'd and taught me this. Eventually your milk will slow down or she will catch up in drinking it, but for the next several months, try above and see if it helps. She may have such a build up from the day that it keeps her from sleeping good at night. She'll also want to nurse to help the gas get out. Congrats on your new baby!

I would suggesting that after feeding her, hold her upright for about 10 minutes to give everything a chance to settle before laying her down. The last little burps should surface during that time as well.

I think you are doing the right thing by nursing her on demand. Your baby is still teeny and her little gastrointestinal system is jump starting and figuring things out. My son had what we called a witching hour the same time every night - usually around 9-10pm. He was gassy and fussy for about an hour or so. Apparently, it is a mild form of colic - so that's what your baby may have. Our little one outgrew it in a matter of weeks, but you seem to be doing all the right things so just be patient and it will work itself out. Actually the fact that at 3 wks she is giving you 3-4 hour stretches is great so count your blessings!! Good luck and just keep loving and responding to your sweet baby girl like you have been!

They all have fussy periods. Hers happens to be during the night. It will get better.

Sounds like my daughter. She is close the first growth spurt and she is forcing you to make more milk. Mine would nurse and I would feel she had enough and she wanted more and then it would all come up. We would clean her the carpet and she woudl nurse again.

If she is gassy as you say, try checking out what you are eating. Perhaps there is something she doesn't like.

Welcome to motherhood.

the other S.

I think that it would be so much better for both of you if you don't feed her so much in the middle of the night, J.. Work on drawing out the night feeding in favor of more day feeding. She isn't figuring out the difference in day and night yet, and it will help you both so much for her to start learning that soon.

Good luck!
Dawn