Block feeding

Hi! So I had a massive let down and oversupply it’s only really just evened out now my baby is 13 weeks!

So I didn’t do the full block but I would feed from the same boob twice. So for example if she fed and then less than two hours later she wanted more I would feed from the same boob again.

But with block feeding I’m sure it’s supposed to be longer than that but I was worried about dropping supply!

I also expressed the fast bit off first sometimes or pulled her off and caught it and just let it flow without squeezing.

And then after she had a couple feeds on the same boob I moved to the other boob x

Typically, we all have an oversupply until approx 3 months.
Yes, I block fed baby. My midwife said to do 4 hours on each side, or you can express some of the foremilk first, then offer boob to baby.

thank you so much! Really helpful! The four hour block seems a bit much, especially at night when the timings can mean I’m not feeding from one breast for 6-8 hours! I was thinking of doing shorter blocks, as you’ve also suggested! Seems much more manageable and, like you, I don’t want it to affect my supply!

Did you have any issues with green poop? My baby was having the usual yellow poop but then it changed and I can’t work out why!

did the midwife suggest this because you had an oversupply or because baby’s poop was green?

No but we have had some green poop since finding out she has CMPA!

oh no! Does that mean you’ll have to give up dairy if you choose to continue to breastfeed?

I have no choice but to continue because she now refuses a bottle! 😂 so yeah I have gone dairy free!

You will have a little bit of an oversupply at first but it’s not that common to have a foremilk imbalance. Make sure you’re eating enough fats to help hindmilk but as long as baby is gaining weight properly she’s fine. If she was getting too much foremilk and not enough hindmilk she would be dropping off of her growth curve (coming from someone who went through it.) you can always hand express before feeding but block feeding can mess with your milk supply since your breasts will start thinking baby doesn’t need as much as they’re making if they stay full. I would say just do one breast per feed and track diaper output & weight gain.

I'd speak to an IBCLC. I block fed for a bit following bad advice, and it not only didn't help the problem but my supply tanked and I had to work really hard to get it back up. Block feeding should only be done under very close supervision. If you Google IBCLCs you should be able to find one nearby who can help 😊

I've block fed since the start, she feeds until full on one side then falls asleep for 2 to 3 hours. When she cluster feeds she alternates between sides but I like her to fully empty at each feed. But my supply is pretty good so I don't worry about it dipping by only offering one. Mine had had an imbalance and greeny poos only when I offered both!

Thank you! All these comments are so helpful- really appreciate it! I’ve tried a version of block feeding (started at 4hrs, then 3, then 2 and now just switching breast each feed (only offering one). And we have yellow poops again! Weight gain is still good so I’ll keep an eye on how things go. Maybe we just do one breast per feed until she shows she wants more. Thanks again!