[Meggsygirl]

Hi there

I am wondering how those with ample supply already deal with the feeding frenzy during a growth spurt?

Backstory - my DD is 3 months old, diagnosed with reflux and lactose overload at 8 weeks and me with very large oversupply (made worse by her comfort sucking to relieve pain from reflux and lactose overload). Our paed gave use a script for losec (which has helped her vomit less) and advised that I should be feeding from one side only per feed and stretch DD out to feeding every three hours during the day to allow her time to fully digest her last feed.

We had some initial success with stretching out feeds but for the past week she has wanted to feed every 60-90 min during the day. knowing that this is a big growth spurt I have been feeding on demand whenever she asks and block feeding in 3hr sessions to try and stop her getting too much foremilk. This doesnt seem to be working however as her poos are back to always being bright green mucousy explosions! The constant feeding is also making my supply go even crazier, this morning I pumped for 90 seconds (to relieve the pressure only) and got 50ml! Every morning my boobs are rock hard and I have no idea how I have managed to avoid getting blocked ducts or mastitis.

I'm so confused - should I continue to feed on demand and hope she will slow down in a weeks time, or should I be trying to space out her feeds again to help her tummy and bring my supply back under control? She is thriving and gaining heaps of weight, 6.1kg at 12 weeks from a birth weight of 3kg, plenty of wet nappies and two poos a day.....She sleeps 12 hours at night (with one feed after about 7hrs) which I dont want to mess with!!!

[Winterdanceparty]

It may be a good idea to continue with what you have been doing, with block feeding. Perhaps if you express some milk off with your hand, it might be more gentle and not take as much to be comfortable.
I would still demand feed as breastmilk is very easily digested for little tummies and this will pass soon, I hope, but it may take a couple of days. There is a very good booklet from Mother's Direct, called "Too Much" and it has some very good ideas and tips, or you could go onto the ABA website and in Breastfeeding Information, find this topic.

[wannabe30]

In addition to block feeding, I also tried feeding lying back with DS kind of on top of my breast. I think it's called posture feeding?? Basically it meant DS had to suck uphill against gravity, so it made my fast letdown and enormous flow more manageable. I think the ABA might have some suggestions about what's appropriate for you.
Good luck!

This post has been edited by wannabe30: 06/04/2012, 01:18 PM

[Meggsygirl]

Thanks for the ideas wannabe30, we already posture feed and even block feeding isn't helping at the moment. I will try and ride out a few more days......