I may be one of the least enthusiastic IBCLCs about block feeding. 

I see many kids falling off their curves bc of block feeding (esp as Susan noted--after 2-3 months), and I admit I have not recommended it in many years. If moms are pumping like mad and overproducing like mad, then it might well get things under control, but more often I see moms with OAMER assuming they have O/S (when they do not) or those with O/S whose babies are passively feeding (esp those with TT) and depending on that O/S or those who struggle with flow bc they have structural issues and where the "O/S" magically disappears once the baby can feed properly. Finally, I think actual O/S (if not caused by overpumping) is an issue of maternal inflammation and block feeding masks the problem for a bit, but is not a solution by any means. 

So, yes, I see a lot of conversation about the risks of block-feeding and make frequent comments to that affect myself. 


ate:    Tue, 20 Aug 2013 22:33:04 +0200
From:    Rachel Myr <[log in to unmask]>
Subject: Re: Block feeding is a common cause of slow gain

I haven't seen 'the internet' making noise about 'this block feeding thing'
so I am not sure what Jane is referring to here.
I do know that block feeding here is associated with full drainage method
to deal with oversupply and my personal experience in that context is
universally positive. We don't advocate it as a long term strategy. But for
getting supply to match baby's appetite instead of drowning them, I don't
know of anything better. We have an epidemic of oversupply in these parts,
and most of the sufferers are under the mistaken impression that their
baby's reluctance to suckle, arching, screaming, whatever, are because they
have insufficient milk, so they are pumping to beat the band AND feeding at
both breasts at every feed.
I didn't see the original post that sparked this discussion, have been on
holidays and not spending much time on computer (yea!).  In what way is
block feeding being inappropriately used so that it is compromising growth?

Rachel Myr, reluctant oversupply oracle and eternally grateful to Gonneke
for her article, in
Kristiansand, Norway




Jennifer Tow, IBCLC, USA & France
Intuitive Parenting Network, LLC





 


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