Overproduction questions

[dillonandmarasmom]

I have figured out the issues DS2 has been having with gas and green, mucus poops is due to overproduction. So, I am trying to block feed, and have some questions about pumping.

If DS does not finish a side (not fully emptied), should I pump the rest to feed him when he is (in other words, will that help to get the hindmilk in him)?

If I do pump, won't I keep overproducing?

He hasn't been emptying a side, so should I try to feed him more? Or, should I stop pumping and hope my breasts slow the production a bit?

He nurses on demand and is gaining weight VERY rapidly. He is 14 pounds at 6 weeks and was a mere 8 lbs. 12 oz at birth...

Thanks!

[Dmitrizmom]

milk production will rise to meet demand. when you pump, you are telling your body to make more - especially if you pump after nursing. I would decrease the pumping or stop (assuming that you don't need to have a stash for returning to work). block feeding should help with the for/hind milk imbalance.

[fruitfulmomma]

No, don't pump. Just put him back on the same side when you start the next feeding and keep feeding on "demand".

My guess is is that he is unable to finish a whole side because he is getting so much foremilk and gets full off of that. If you start him on the same side at the next feeding (and for block feeding you would do the same side for all feedings in a 4 hour or so block) then he will be able to get that hindmilk.

It might take a little while but production should level off after a little while and then you can go back to both breasts at a feeding or switching off at each feeding if you want.

[Deir]

What everyone else said and to add- I don't know how long you are doing each block but when I had oversupply, I would do 6 hr blocks. The usual rec is 2 which was useless in my case.

[dillonandmarasmom]

all good to know. thank you all!