Meet Zoe
Zoe, now 4 months old, had a tough start with feeding. Her parents came to me feeling frustrated and out of options. Zoe was often gassy, spitting up after feeds, and getting really upset both during and after feeding. To make things harder, she wasn’t gaining enough weight, which only added to their worries.
Where They Started
Before reaching out, Zoe’s Mum had spoken to several people—Infant Feeding Support teams, Health Visitors, Breastfeeding peer-supporters, and even a Lactation Consultant. The common advice? That Zoe might be struggling because of oversupply, meaning Mum’s milk was coming out too fast for her to handle - there are enough reasons for Mum guilt - seeking support shouldn't add to that list!
On top of that, she felt pressure to switch to formula feeding, even though she wasn’t ready to give up breastfeeding just yet because Zoe was struggling to gain weight with all this going on.
Their GP tried to help by prescribing Gaviscon and Omeprazole for reflux and suggesting Mum cut out cow’s milk from her diet, thinking Zoe might have a Cow’s Milk Protein Allergy (CMPA). Despite following all this advice, nothing seemed to help.
Body Positivity and Breastfeeding
Zoe’s Mum was also open about her body size. She’d been made to feel like her larger breasts were making breastfeeding harder and that she couldn’t get into a comfortable position to feed. This added an extra layer of stress to the situation. At the time, she was feeding Zoe in a rugby hold, which wasn’t quite working for them.
Unpacking the Oversupply Theory
One of the big questions was whether Zoe’s Mum had an oversupply of milk, which could explain why Zoe was struggling to keep up with the flow. It’s so important to remember that feeding issues can have many different causes and present with a similar range of symptoms, and without a full assessment, it’s easy to point to one thing. When we talked it through, we realised Mum didn’t have any of the usual signs of oversupply—no leaking, no engorgement, and no mastitis. So, we were able to put that theory to bed.
What About Tongue-tie?
Tongue-tie is another common culprit, but in Zoe’s case, her tongue function was great. She had no trouble moving her tongue, and there were no signs of motor issues, so we could rule that out pretty quickly.
The Real Issue: Position, Latch and Flow
When I assessed Zoe, I noticed that the position she was in during feeds was making it hard for her to manage the milk flow. She was feeding almost flat, which meant she had to work extra hard to control the milk. This was likely causing her to cough and maybe even develop a bit of an aversion to feeding.
We made a few changes, starting with switching to a side-lying cradle hold. This helped Zoe as she was in a position that was giving her better control over the milk. I also showed Mum how to gently shape her areola and nipple to match Zoe’s mouth, helping guide her into the best position.
Fixing the Latch
One thing many parents tell me is that no one really checks the latch throughout a full feed. Zoe’s Mum noticed that Zoe would latch well at first, but as the feed went on and her breast softened, Zoe couldn’t keep the latch going. We worked on adjusting the position and helping Mum manage her breast to create a better seal. This helped Zoe sustain her latch longer and feed more comfortably.
The Results
After a few tweaks, things started to improve quickly. Zoe became less fussy during feeds, stopped coughing as much, and seemed more content overall. Her gastric symptoms also diminshed. Our theory being that she was never actually filling her tummy up enough because she couldn't finish a feed which was causing the gasiness and frustration because she was still hungry! Even better, her weight started to increase! Mum also felt more confident about breastfeeding and was happy to continue without feeling pressured to switch to formula.
What You Can Take Away
Zoe’s story is a reminder that every breastfeeding journey is unique, and sometimes the right support and small adjustments can make a huge difference. Whether it’s finding a better position, working on the latch, or just having someone listen and guide you through the process, breastfeeding can get easier with the right help. So if you’re struggling, don’t give up—there’s always a way forward.
If you’re feeling overwhelmed or unsure about your breastfeeding journey, you don’t have to go through it alone. At Milk to Mealtime, we specialise in providing personalised support to help you and your baby thrive. Whether you’re facing latch issues, positioning problems, or just need expert advice, book a consultation today and let’s work together to make breastfeeding more comfortable and enjoyable for you both. Click here to get started!
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