[CindyCindy]

I am sorry that this is probably brought up a bunch, but I did a Search and didn't find the information I am looking for. I keep seeing oversupply and am wondering exactly what that consists of. What exactly is block feeding? How do you do it? Why should you do it?

I am having a very different breastfeeding experience with my 3rd, than I did with the other two. With this little guy I will feed him on one breast and when I switch I keep on leaking with the one I started off with. I seem to be leaking an awful lot in general and it's not dying down over the past few weeks. I am wondering why and is he getting enough to eat? I am noticing that his poops aren't as yellow, but they aren't quite green either.

Please post any links to block feeding, since I am not capable of finding them on my own! Sorry for probably posting this for the 50th time!! Thanks in advance!

 

[tcmama100]

I don't know anything about block feeding... but am experiencing the same problem! Hang in there!

 

[gossamer]

Why are you switching breasts? He really only needs one breast for each feeding. Consider the second breast dessert.

 

[gossamer]

Here is a link I found.

http://www.mothering.com/discussions...=block+feeding

 

[Leisha]

Check out www.kellymom.com too, they have awesome info on breastfeeding

 

[CindyCindy]

gossamer: I found that link earlier, but it doesn't actually give any information on how to block feed. They mentioned a schedule, a 6 hour schedule. Does that mean you feed off of one breast for the whole 6 hours? I don't really have any reasoning behind switching breasts, I guess that is what I was taught with no. 1 and haven't stopped doing it that way. Do you usually only offer one breast per feeding? I am so lost now!

Leisha: I did a search on Kellymom, but no info on block feeding.

 

[woodchick]

I'm not sure we did textbook block feeding but here's what worked for us:

Nurse on breast A for as long as DC wants. Burp/whatever. If they still seem hungry switch to breast B for dessert.

Next time around start on B and offer A only after 'emptying' the first breast. (I know they don't ever empty, but just for argument's sake...)

It might take a little while for your supply to adjust, but eventually you'll even out (or at least, I did)

Hope that Helps

 

[battymama]

To block feed you just feed every feed for a certain number of hours off the one breast, i did 4 hour blocks in the begining as we had a hind milk imbalance. Even now my little one only very rarely gets the 2 breasts in one feed, only when she is teething. Try just offering one breast per feed and see how that goes, if you still have the same problems then stretch it out a bit, i just keep putting her back on the same breast until i am sure it is empty before switching if she seems to want to switch.

 

[Leisha]

Here's the kellymom page on oversupply/forceful let-down and block feeding etc.

But battymama explained well

 

[CindyCindy]

Wow, Leisha and Battymama, thank you SO much. That was the info I needed. I don't know why I didn't find that stuff on Kellymom, probably because I only searched for block feeding, should have done a search on oversupply. I think this is my problem and am so appreciative of your gals help. I hope things get better for us!

:

 

[soposdedi]

Hmmmm never heard of that term specifically. But it seems you have gotten some good answers!

I switched breasts with dd for the first month or so i think... then she started having that ucky green poop which signaled that she was getting too much foremilk and not enough fatty hind milk. So from then on i kept her on one breast for two or more feeds or until the other breast got too engorged lol. Sometimes as she got older she just liked to switch sides (i think the thinner foremilk takes care of their thirst better), and i would switch her. But yes, staying on one breast for a long time helped with gas and weight gain too

.

 

[CindyCindy]

soposdedi: I guess there are a lot of books out there that talk about this "type" of feeding, but most of them don't call it block feeding. What you are doing is exactly what I have decided to do, so I am glad to hear of another mama having success!! So far, so good, he is already having more poopy diapers and is comfort nursing again. I am so excited!!! Thanks for the feedback.

 

[mama.rye]

we feed off of one breast for about 3 feedings, or until it is "empty" and he is tugging for more. Then I switch to the full breast (sometimes have to pump off some foremilk to keep from having him guzzle) and proceed that way. Happier and fuller baby, No green poops, supply issues somewhat under control.