Suggestions please - cluster feeding

[vole3]

My usually contented 4 week old ds normally feeds for 25 mins or so every 2-3 hours.
This evening he has been feeding for the last 3 3/4 hours, of which he has spent the last 2 3/4 hours screaming in frustration as my boobs aren't refilling quickly enough for him. This is real feeding and not just comfort sucking and like a dyson he doesn't lose suction!
What would you recommend for the next time it happens?
I have thought of
a) earplugs
b) moving to the shed - just myself not him
c) giving him water
d) keeping a carton of formula in the cupboard for emergency use.

(Doesn't help that today DH set off on his motorbike to visit friends 200 miles away for a long weekend so I have no-one to tag-team with me for the screaming)

First of all your breast are never empty - he is getting something.

Babies need to suck the breast for comfort as well as milk and it is very hard to see the difference.

Make sure you have a snack and a drink handy (bar of chocolate is good

Have the remote control handy and park yourself in front of the telly.

The more he sucks at the breast, the more milk you will make. You will see an upsurge in 36-48 hours

Don't give him water or formula - -he needs neither.

At this time of night take him off to bed with you. He will eventually crash. I remember it well sigh!

Thanks for the advice.

I thought I might be in for a rough evening / night as we spent the whole morning babymooning with The Jeremy Kyle Show and This Morning and feeding every hour or so.
I'm more than happy to keep feeding on demand, but I just hate seeing him so frustrated and me not being able to comfort him. Plus I did prefer my eardrums intact

He is building up your supply. Very difficult I remember but if you want to carry on please don't give him formula as it only interrupts his natural insticts and your supply will wane (although you will get some rest).

As mears said get the remote and some snacks (dark chocolate helped me) and settle down with him on the sofa. When he drops off put him in a carry cot/moses basket and nap yourself. Don't worry about routine and putting him in the cot - he is too young to "spoil".

I slept like this for a few nights when DD was this age. DP came down in the morning and thought we had been asleep all night - if only There is some great tv on at night
Will check in on you tomorrow if you need a friendly ear -

Oh and the crying is normal too. He is tired but the need to feed keeps him awake. Just comfort him as best you can and keep changing breasts, even 10 mins will allow a big refill at this age. Keep drinking water.

Chances are all that screaming is getting you stressed and that affects your milk supply. Try having a half a beer, it should be safe and help your milk let down.

One other thing to consider is maybe the problem is not hunger. Maybe he has a belly ache and is nursing for comfort. Try some gas drops, they can be helpful.

My book what to expect the first year, says nursing mothers can safely have one drink and beer helps let down your milk. I actually first heard this in Lamaze class, but did not completely trust the instructor so verified in book that it was safe.

I am rationing myself to 1/2 a guinness every other night - perhaps he's like DH and prefers lager!
He managed to crash out for 3 hours, so we woke up swimming in milk instead.
As for the chocolate, the MW didn't look too impressed when she asked at my booking clinic if I had any dietary requirements and I said 'chocolate' , but if I have to force myself.......

? growth spurt. Should resume normal feeding in 48 hours.