cluster feeding

[cherryblossom84]

My 3 week old is cluster feeding in the evenings (I've been told that this is probably a growth spurs) and last night was getting so upset and frustrated as he couldn't get enough milk to satisfy him. I tried switching sides every time he pulled off and cried in the hope of stimulating more milk for him, winding, changing, the colic hold, swaying, rocking, bathing, and anything I could think of to delay him feeding for little while to give my milk chance to refill. However, several hours of this and he was getting more and more upset. Every time he managed to stimulate the let down reflux I could hear him swallow a few times, then frantic sucking with no swallowing. I know it is important to let them suck to stimulate more milk but he was getting so upset I ended up giving him a bottle of EBM, which thankfully settled him enough that I could then cuddle and rock him to sleep.
Although this worked and I suppose we could do this every time he has a growth spurt, I don't want to affect my milk supply (so will express this morning), should I instead let him keep trying for as long as it takes? he was getting so upset and he had started to not even want to latch on.

[cherryblossom84]

Thanks for the advice and reassurance, WouldBeHarrietVane. I really appreciate it :-) I look forward to hearing any other tips you can give me.

[noblegiraffe]

Don't worry about delaying to allow milk to refill, breastfeeding doesn't work like that, it's a tap, milk is always there, rather than a bottle that needs filling :)

[cherryblossom84]

Thanks for your posts - really helpful
He fed most of the day yesterday and was quite grumpy inbetween, but had a much better evening. He had a three hour nap at 5, woke for a feed then fell asleep, waking for more after half an hour three times. But then slept from 11pm til 3.30am, woke for a long feed, then slept from 4.30 til 7.45! It definitely seems that the more he feeds during the day, the better he sleeps at night!
I think I now just need to get used to feeding in public so I can actually leave the house!!
Thanks for the advice about the bottles too. I will try to only use them as a last resort!!