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Infant feeding

Get advice and support with infant feeding from other users here.

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Original poster

Help! Can over feeding be dangerous?

21 replies

TwoWeeSausages · 12/02/2011 22:36

DS is 9wks old and I am currently mixed feeding due to problems with my supply.

This evening in the space of 3hrs he has had 2x 5oz bottles of formula and a 10min breastfeed.

Is this to much? Is it dangerous to feed this much? Am I worrying unnecessarily?

Any advice?

Thanks

OP posts:

Tryharder · 12/02/2011 22:40

You are worrying unncessarily!

He will eat when he's hungry. Cluster feeding in the evening is common at this age.

Jen2727 · 12/02/2011 22:43

I wouldn't worry ... he's probably filling up to have a nice long sleep overnight (hopefully!) x

Jen2727 · 12/02/2011 22:43

I wouldn't worry ... he's probably filling up to have a nice long sleep overnight (hopefully!) x

FunnysInTheGarden · 12/02/2011 22:48

yep cluster feeding and will now sleep for a blissful 10 hours......enjoy it! DS2 has always done this, and I think you can't still be hungry, but he is until he is as full as an egg and then sleeps for England!

Original poster

TwoWeeSausages · 12/02/2011 22:53

Thanks everyone.

I was never this neurotic with my first but that was 8yr ago!

OP posts:

Pilchardnpoppy · 12/02/2011 23:04

It may be that you have a very sucky baby, who you think is still hungry, but actually sucks for comfort. It can be possible to overfeed using a bottle (whether it be expressed bm or formula), as this method of feeding is easier for babies.

You mentioned problems with your supply. The best way to 'up' your supply is to feed feed feed feed, including at night. Cluster feeding and constant sucking is baby's way of letting your breast know how much milk is needed. When you replace breastfeeds with a bottle feed, your body then thinks less milk needs to be made and can have a further effect on supply.

harecare · 12/02/2011 23:09

A lot of feeding even if just for comfort can be "putting the orders in" for tomorrow. The more you BF, the more milk you'll have. I used to BF for a couple of hours in the evening at that age (I think), definitely when they were younger.
He may actually be happy just BF for those 3 hours while you watch tv, great excuse to sit and do nothing at the end of the day.

Original poster

TwoWeeSausages · 13/02/2011 01:03

I'm trying to breastfeed him as much as possible but he just pulls off screaming because there isn't much there.

Have started to pump after every feed in the hope that it will increase my supply.

Didn't want to give him formula but he has had weight issues and needs to eat.

OP posts:

Morloth · 13/02/2011 02:31

I think you can overfeed formula/EBM but not directly from the breast. Because of the comfort sucking thing.

My DSs have both been big comfort suckers, so they would have a big feed then just want to comfort suck for a while, but I don't think they were getting much in the way of milk when doing that, just hanging out.

The best way to increase your supply would be to offer the breast really really often. The pump is no where near as good at removing milk as your DS.

Can you try offering the breast before he gets really hungry so he can be a bit more patient? If you really want to breastfeed then I would consider ditching the bottles and just having him attached for lots and lots and lots.

Pilchardnpoppy · 13/02/2011 08:11

Agree with Morloth. Whilst pumps can be used to increase supply in some situations, they are not as good as baby at removing milk from the breast, and so won't increase supply as much as a baby will.

When he pulls of crying it may be that he is getting frustrated because he is becoming used to the ease of the bottle.

Have you considered expressing a very small amount just before a feed so the milk is there quicker when he has a feed?

faverolles · 13/02/2011 09:36

When he pulls off crying, have you tried swapping breasts?
Ds does this when he cluster feeds, and even though my boobs feel empty, they produce more for him, but I do need to keep swapping otherwise he gets really cross.

podmumlet · 13/02/2011 10:13

Faverolies - doesn't the swapping of breasts have an impact on the ratio of foremilk/hind milk he gets?

Morloth · 13/02/2011 10:21

I think the foremilk/hindmilk thing is a bit of a myth isn't it?

Original poster

TwoWeeSausages · 13/02/2011 11:50

I do swap sides but he is usually still hungry.

He had issues with his weight (born on 25th centile, has now fallen to 2nd centile. Length is still on 25th centile) and have been advised that he has to eat more, topping up with formula if necessary.

Its making me miserable and I have considered just giving up breastfeeding because of it

OP posts:

Morloth · 13/02/2011 21:01

Can you just stop doing everything else and have a 'babymoon'? So you and he both naked (at least on top) and snuggled up in a warm bed for a couple of days? Then just pop him on at the slightest hint of interest, just let him feed and feed and comfort suck, change sides as and when he pulls off.

I did this sometimes, really calmed us both when it all got a bit tense and crazy. Also good excuse for lying around for a couple of days reading!

MoonUnitAlpha · 13/02/2011 21:16

podmumlet - you don't need to worry about the ratio of foremilk/hindmilk the baby gets, just swap breasts whenever the baby comes off and it takes care of itself. It's not that it's a myth, it's just not necessary to try to engineer the type of milk the baby gets.

FunnysInTheGarden · 13/02/2011 21:45

TwoWeeSausages I really feel for you. Take heed of all the advice here, and also think about visiting the Formula Feeding Support Board. I'll bump it for you incase you are interested.

cornishshelley · 13/02/2011 21:47

I wouldn't worry so much about the centiles if he now sticks to the 2nd for weight and 25th for length then he's likely to be tall and slim.

I got very stressed with ds who like yours was born both on the 25th and then his weight dropped to the 2nd. He continued to develop well and was mainly contented. He's nearly 3 now and still 2 centiles different between height and weight looks just like his daddy.

Aiming to get his weight back up to the 25th centile could be putting yourself under a lot of pressure for no reason. My breast feeding counsellor always said that what the baby settled at in the first few weeks was more important than the centiles they were born on, as long as once they settle they then kept to them and didn't keep losing weight.

As for supply i agree just keep offering feeds it's the best way to boost supply

Best of luck

jobobpip08 · 13/02/2011 21:51

twoweesausages your DS sounds just like mine, its made me miserable too! He was a dreadful feeder even before I tried expressing/bottle feeding and TBH now I've given up as mixed feeding was so stressful for both of us, my supply has nearly gone . I thought it would be a breeze as DS1 EBF for 9 months.

Original poster

TwoWeeSausages · 13/02/2011 23:32

Thank you for all you advice.

I am really wanting to breastfeed for the first 6mths as I only managed 3wks with my first child.

I am seeing an infant feeding support worker tomorrow so hopefully I'll be able to fix this with her help.

It is just so frustrating for both of us and it is making me sad especially as it started of so well.

I worry that it is also impacting my older child as I cannot spend as much time playing with him as I'd like because I'm constantly trying to feed.

OP posts:

Morloth · 14/02/2011 01:56

DS1 watched a lot of telly in the first few months of DS2's life. It isn't a problem, was just for a bit, all much easier now.

Just do the best you can, you are a loving mum, your best will be more than good enough.

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