I've just had a second call from a mother I spent some time talking to a
week ago. Her baby is now almost 4 months old. The first couple of months
were not too bad, she said, but the baby would only nurse for a few minutes
at a time each feeding, would spit up a lot, yet gained weight well. When
she called me the first time, the baby was getting increasingly fussy at the
breast and would latch, cry right away, and let go. I thought it might have
been overactive letdown and that the baby was unhappy that the flow had now
slowed down - baby was used to the fast flow. She tried using compression
when the baby first latched on, but found she got a quick letdown and then
the baby would stop nursing and be fussy. So we thought we might be able to
calm down the overactive letdown and settle things down by doing block
feedings.

Well, today she says she's been doing block feedings for a week and the baby
is absolutely miserable. Cries all the time, spits up more than ever - seems
to spit up every feeding, she says.  Only time she's happy is when she's on
the breast and she'd be there 24/7 if mom would let her. Plenty of wet and
poopy diapers, but hasn't had a weight check.

I suggested seeing a doctor to check the weight (and go back to feeding on
both breasts at each feeding) and also to check for reflux. She then says
that her first baby had reflux, but her husband doesn't believe in medicine
and didn't want to give the baby any. Doesn't believe in alternative
treatments either - he feels a healthy body can overcome these things. First
baby has since been shown to have a LOT of allergies and is on a wheat-free,
dairy-free and several other foods free diet. She had difficulties nursing
the first baby too (oversupply, she thought) and ended up pumping for him
for a year.

I said it would still be worth seeing the doctor to get the weight checked
and ask about the reflux - even if they choose not to treat it, might be
good to have a diagnosis. I also discussed the possiblity that this baby
might have the same sensitivities as her first baby and that she could try
an elimination diet for herself. Neither suggestion seemed to appeal to her
much.

I also suggested she try spending the weekend in bed with the baby while her
husband looks after the toddler, feeding the baby as often as possible. She
liked that idea better.

I think she doesn't want to go to the doctor and have the doctor recommend
meds that her husband won't let her get. But I am at a bit of a loss as to
how to help this mother and baby. I am a little worried that the "block
feeding" has decreased her milk production too much and now the baby is
hungry. I hate thinking about this miserable baby crying all the time! Any
thoughts?

Teresa Pitman

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