
Originally Posted by
@llli*lllmeg
Hi I agree with mommal it is usually best to start your own thread, and you are very welcome to do so!
But I just wanted to reply about block nursing because there is a great deal of misunderstanding about it, when it is appropriate, and what it does.
Block nursing does NOT "regulate" milk production. It REDUCES milk production. So it should probably only be considered when mom has consistent (and serious problem causing) OVERPRODUCTION, AND baby is gaining at an unusually fast rate. And even then, how long a mom should nurse on each side for block feeding to work is entirely individual.
In the normal course of breastfeeding, if baby is nursed when baby wishes rather than scheduled, and baby nurses with normal frequency (10-15 times a day, typically) and normal effectiveness (latch is comfortable for mom and baby is gaining as much as baby should,) milk production 'regulates' on its own to be enough but not more than enough for baby by about 6-12 weeks.
Can you please explain what the indicators of such cycles are? how long they are, etc? When you think you have undersupply, does baby get a supplement?
Cycling from under to overproduction and back is very, very unusual. Are you on some medication that might cause this? Aside from the dairy any unusual diet changes? Have you seen or is there any way you can see an IBCLC for a one on one consult?