loooong growthspurt ?

[minxs]

hope you can give me some insight.
My 5.5mo DS has been eating like crazy lately. His consumption of bottled BM went from 12 to 18-22 oz a day in day care. When pick him up he is hungry again. He has never been a comfort nurser and really wants to eat. If i give him an "empty" breast he'll get upset and does not want to nurse (but roots around for something that will make milk). If i offer the other side he is happy again. He started this about 10 days ago, and i thought it was a growth spurt. However, he now wants to nurse every hour for the last two days (day and night). His other growthspurts were only 2-3 days tops.
Would this mean that 18-22 oz is going to be his "base-line" or is it normal to have a longer period of excessive eating around this age ?

He is not on solids yet (just in the play with spoon phase), and sleeps 3 hr stretches at night.
thanks

EAT: he is in the 97% for weight and length (born that way too)

[KerrySmithIBCLC]

It's common for growth spurts to last more than a few days, and an increased need to nurse can also be caused by other things like teething and working on developmental milestones. Have you tried breast compression when you nurse him to help him get a faster flow and more milk? You can learn about that here:

http://www.kellymom.com/newman/15breast_compression.html

With growth spurts, they usually have a short period of increased demand for more food, then they tend to settle back down to where they were before. So I wouldn't be surprised if the 18-22 oz. needed at daycare decreases again in the coming weeks.

Continuing to feed him on demand is the best way of making sure you're meeting his needs and he's getting all the milk he needs. You're doing a good job, and hopefully it will settle down soon!