Flow preference? Lazy baby? (XP: AP)

babynoodle07

Ladies I need your insight...

Breastfeeding has been going great. Baby A has gained weight well, had lots of poopy and wet diapers, etc. I had a major oversupply when we started but though block feeding, etc. I was able to get it under control so that I make what he needs (and not enough to feed triplets, lol). That was maybe two weeks ago that my supply regulated. This week I began pumping a little (2-4 oz per day) after his morning feeding to start a small freezer stash (I'll be returning to work at 12 weeks) and get him used to the bottle. He won't take the bottle at all yet so I know his flow preference has not been caused by that. Since I've been pumping in the mornings he has been eating almost every hour during the day. Short, unproductive sucks with the occasional "eating" suck thrown in there. Evenings (when he would usually cluster feed and then go down around 9 until 2am) have been hell. He wants to eat for 4 hours straight. Fine, no problem but he still uses the short wimpy sucks and doesn't get anything out. I think this makes him frustrated so he will pull off, scream and then go back for it again. I can take the 4 hours of feeding but not the screaming for no reason if there is something I can do to help him. I know there is milk there, I can hand express it easily.

My question: Has he gotten lazy because of my previous oversupply? My milk would literally squirt him in the face before so I am thinking he didn't have to work hard at all to get lots of milk. How do I work with him so that he makes big, productive sucks and gets full and happy? His diapers last night after his marathon nursing/screaming session were slimy and dark yellow instead of curdy and bright. What (if anything) can I do to make this better? Normally I would just be in the camp of, "When he gets hungry he will eat." but I don't want his weight gain to falter/him to be dehydrated or miserable.

(Sorry to post and run but our local bookstore is having a huge sale this morning. I'll check back in later. Thanks ladies!)

 

babynoodle07

Thank you for all of the tips! I think he is going through a growth spurt (8 week growth spurt? who knows!).  I skipped pumping in the morning yesterday and just fed him all day long and his mood was MUCH improved.  His 2am diaper was much better, not slimy but curdy again and his soft spot has perked back up.  I'll just pump off a little this morning and see if that phases him any.