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 *********************************************** Archives: http://community.lsoft.com/archives/LACTNET.html To reach list owners: [log in to unmask] Mail all list management commands to: [log in to unmask] COMMANDS: 1. To temporarily stop your subscription write in the body of an email: set lactnet nomail 2. To start it again: set lactnet mail 3. To unsubscribe: unsubscribe lactnet 4. To get a comprehensive list of rules and directions: get lactnet welcome