Baby swapping breasts too often

[helgaw99]

Hi everyone,
I am quickly becoming reliant on this forum for advice and help!
Still continuing to try and up supply of breast milk. DS seems much happier today and we had a good night where he slept well, though we are still topping up with formula to try and increase his weight.
Two quick questions

1. during the day I am letting him feed non stop, literally! Has been feeding since 10.30 with 10-15 min breaks every so often while I gulp down tea or shower very fast. He has dozed on and off, but no proper naps. Is it ok to carry on doing this, must be helping my supply? Though we did this yesterday and by 8pm he was screaming and there was nothing coming out of me, I couldn't even express 10mls.
2. he has also started fighting at the nipple after about 15 mins, he'll let the nipple go and then nibble on it and cry and then get very angry, the only way to calm him down seems to be to swap sides, he will then latch on quite happily. Why is he fighting? Is it when the milk becomes harder work to get out? I really appreciate everyone's advice, may well have gone mad by now without it! X

How old is your DS? I must admit it's a couple of years since I BFed, but my advice would be to keep feeding on demand as you're doing, and your supply should soon increase to keep up with his demands. As for swapping sides, it could be that if he'd feeding very frequently, 15 minutes is long enough to 'drain' one side. Give him the same on the other side (or until he gets fussy again and comes off the breast), then swap again a couple more times just to make sure you drain both breasts. The more he tries to feed from an 'empty' breast, the more your supply will be stimulated.

Hi helgaw glad you're still hanging in there!

1. I would think the constant feeding is the best way to improve your supply- as long as the latch is good and he looks like he is feeding well.

You will never run out of milk, although he may be getting frustrated by a slower flow. Remember that how much or little you can express is not an indication of your supply so don't worry about that.

1. Absolutely fine to swap him after 15 mins- you can even keep going back and forth between breasts as this is a really good way to boost supply. I think you're probably right about why he is fighting- the milk will probably be coming slower at the end and he may be used to the faster flow of a bottle.

I can't remember what you said about tongue tie- has he been checked for it?