Drop in milk supply due to reflux?

[Kellyshe]

I am EBF DD.  she often refuses to nursed or doesn't have a full nursing session.  Will this cause my milk supply to drop?  She will also be 3 months on Christmas.  If she doesn't want to eat due to discomfort, will she go throught the 3 month growth spurt?

Thoughts?

[Fiver]

How often is she feeding now?

[Kellyshe]

I'm trying to feed her every 3 hours.  I've been pumping the last two days and giving a bottle to see how much she's taking.  She's doing better with taking a bottle but if I try to nurse, she gets cranky.  Seems like the only way I can nurse her is in the side lying position.


Last night she squirmed a lot and I could hear hear belly gurgling (heard it gurgling during feeds, too).  So is this still an OS/OALD issue?  If I've been double pumping all day, do I do block feeding at night?

Could block feeding reduce supply?

[Fiver]

Just wanted to clarify, when you say you're trying to feed every 3h, is that because you're trying to stretch out feeds to 3h, or that you're trying to get them closer together at 3h?

What are you considering block feeding?  There seem to be a few different interpretations.  The more usual form, where you do several consecutive feeds from one breast rather than using a different breast or both at each feed would definitely reduce supply as you're telling your body not to make that milk.

[Kellyshe]

Generally I can't read her hunger cues but sometime I can.  I am not trying to stretch her feedings out or get them closer together.  3hours seems to be the right time to feed her.  Although she just got fussy after 2.75 hours and am feeding her now

For block feeding, I was offering L at 8, R at 11, for example.  Is this right?  And how do I know for sure I need to block feed?  I know empty the first breast first so just wait until it feels super squishy? 

Man I suck at this!

[Fiver]

Ah, you're doing fine.  I wouldn't call what you're doing block feeding though, just single sided feeding, which is fine as long as she seems to be taking enough (plenty of wet/dirty nappies etc)

Again with night time, whether you've been single or double pumping during the day, you should be fine to single side feed at night.  If she seems to still be hungry, offer the other side.

[Kellyshe]

I never know whether to offer the other side.  If I keep her on one side, she nurses forever ( it's always been like that).  Is there a certain number of letdowns I should feel to know she got enough?  I thnk I've always given the other breast when I shouldn't as her poo is generally always green (mucous too)

[Fiver]

My DD was the same - would just stay on.  You hear all the stories about them letting go once they've had enough, but we didn't have that.  Once she was looking tired and as if she'd probably had enough, I used to take her off.  If she seemed unhappy with that, I'd offer the other side.