Block feeding

ravenclaw1

An LC recommended block feeding to me today to alleviate over supply issues we think are causing DD gas & discomfort. Anyone else feeding like that? Care to share experiences on how it has affected your supply? Comfort on the non-feeding boob? TIA!

mcg512

I block feed most of the time but haven't been as consistent with it the last week or so.  I usually nurse on the same side twice and then pump the other side after the 2nd feeding.  It has really helped even out my supply and stop the crazy engorgement that I was having all the time.  I've also noticed DS hasn't been as gassy and isn't as fussy before he poops now.  Hope it helps you too! 

ravenclaw1

@AmyG* thanks for weighing in. I've already been only feeding from one side per session for weeks and was still dealing with an over supply issue.

My first day of block feeding in 3 hour time chunks was going well until it came time for overnight feedings. The one night my daughter decides to sleep for a 4 hour stretch, I'm sitting awake in bed with a breast that feels like a rock and is killing me. So should I try the time blocks during the day, then my usual routine at night?

sequoiasky

We have been doing this too for the past 2 days. The downside is when we finally switch side and then LO is getting way too much foremilk/super fast let down and is gassier than ever. Ugh! Hopefully it will regulate soon.

AshleyPT

I had to block feed my first until she was almost 3 months since my oversupply was crazy face. I only had to do it for about 2 weeks with this one. 

My LC told me to feed from one side until that one felt "empty" and in the beginning that would take almost 24 hours of nursing from just that side. 

Honestly, I just dealt with the engorgement on the side I wasn't nursing from. If I really couldn't take it then I'd hand express in the shower or into a towel, or pump just an ounce (to letdown and then stop like mentioned).

I also used cabbage leaves which were voodoo magic for pain relief. I was told to drink sage tea to decrease supply, which was hard to find without caffeine, so we just boiled sage leaves. 

To deal with the problems when finally switching to the neglected side (foremilk and fast letdown) I pull them off when they get the first letdown and then wait until I stop spraying everywhere to actually let them nurse. It helps avoid all the coughing and sputtering. 

It seemed like it took forever for things to get better with my first, but then nursing got super easy. 

sequoiasky

AshleyPT said:

To deal with the problems when finally switching to the neglected side (foremilk and fast letdown) I pull them off when they get the first letdown and then wait until I stop spraying everywhere to actually let them nurse. It helps avoid all the coughing and sputtering. 

It seemed like it took forever for things to get better with my first, but then nursing got super easy. 

Thank you!! I am going to try this!