from twinva09 question about oversupply and pumping

[Sassafras]

Hi, questions about oversupply and pumping

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Hi, first stats

8 weeks old, boy, full term, breastfeed exclusively, 14 lbs (Born at 9'9), healthy except reflux

I am blocking feeding due to oversupply and fast letdown. I make about 4 oz per breast every 3 hours. I have block fed for about a week now.

I am returning to work and I am wondering a few things about pumping.

How often? How much?

Also, my son still wakes up every 2 hours sucking his hand, hungry and ready to eat. I am really concerned about working when I am not sleeping hardly at all. He wakes up at 11, 1, 3, 5, 7 and then is up at 9 for the day.
Thanks for any advice,

Rebecca
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also should i start pumping now to build supply?

[shariibclc]

Hi,
I am just wondering why you are still struggling with such an over supply? A breastfed baby usually eats around 3-4 oz total per feeding and it sounds like you are making double that. Are you pumping in addition to feeding? Your baby needs to get the feedings in at some point during the day. It appears as if he is doing it at night. Maybe he is just looking to suck. Does he take a pacifier for you? Every 2 hours during the night may not be condusive to going back to work.

You may want to try more frequent feedings during the day and try to get the majority of his meals in when you are awake.

Don't over pump. When you return to work you will be feeding him the milk that you pumpled the day before.. Frozen milk is just for emergency purposes.
Good Luck.....

[twinva09]

Hi,

I haven't pumped at all because I was told it would just cause me to make more. He eats a lot during the day too. I could try to make him eat more but it is typically every 2 hours as well. I feel like he is just always hungry and he hardly ever sleeps. He wakes up at 9am and doesnt take a nap until 12 or 1pm. He wakes back up at 2 or 3 and eats and stays awake until about 5 and sleeps till 7, then eats again. 9pm is his 'bedtime' and he is up at 11pm wanting to eat. He doesn't do the pacifier and I have tried to give him the 'empty' breast to see if he just wants to suck but he doesn't quit until he has actually consumed enough. I have been told to put cereal in a bottle with breast milk or give him a bottle of formula at 1am. Both of those seem a little extreme.

Also, I have no idea why I make SO much milk but it is getting frusterating. That is why I am worried about pumping when I return to work. I don't want to make more than I already do.

[shariibclc]

Are you burping him adequately and swaddling him. Sometimes they are looking for something other than more food. Babies can have a hard time self soothing and need to be swaddled. Usually until 3 months and somethimes longer. If he can get out of the swaddle you are not doing it tight enough or using a blanket that is too small.

If you are not burping him after every feeding he will be awake or wake shortly after feeding. He needs to be relaxed and not crying in order to burp.