Post-visit melt down / cluster feeding

[Guest guest]

I have noticed a pattern, and am wondering if it happens to anyone else.

#1. The day after I see a Mom and Baby who were not feeding well, I very

frequently get a panicked call: the baby has been eating " nonstop " , fed all

night, falls asleep at the breast and wakes up crying when moved, and Mom is

convinced her breasts have been " sucked dry " .

I assume this is because the baby is so happy that the breastfeeding

relationship has been mended, that it is cluster feeding to make up for lost

time?

#2. The same Moms frequently call me later on wondering how to get their baby to

sleep. As much as I just want to say " co-sleep and nurse all night. welcome to

normal breastfeeding! " I know that is not the answer they want. I get kind of

stuck here.

Does anyone else experience this with their clients?

[Guest guest]

I've noticed the first issue a few times. I generally say it will subside in a few days once baby feels secure that the breast won't stop working. After a few times of that I tend to mention baby may not want to let mom go for a few days so they can be prepared. Heinz, BA IBCLCBeach Babies Lactation Support, LLC Sender: Date: Fri, 24 Feb 2012 23:44:03 -0000To: < >ReplyTo: Subject: Post-visit melt down / cluster feeding I have noticed a pattern, and am wondering if it happens to anyone else. #1. The day after I see a Mom and Baby who were not feeding well, I very frequently get a panicked call: the baby has been eating " nonstop " , fed all night, falls asleep at the breast and wakes up crying when moved, and Mom is convinced her breasts have been " sucked dry " .I assume this is because the baby is so happy that the breastfeeding relationship has been mended, that it is cluster feeding to make up for lost time?#2. The same Moms frequently call me later on wondering how to get their baby to sleep. As much as I just want to say " co-sleep and nurse all night. welcome to normal breastfeeding! " I know that is not the answer they want. I get kind of stuck here.Does anyone else experience this with their clients?

[Guest guest]

Bethany,

#1 situation you describe is what you assume, I think, and letting moms know this could be time limited and is something so important to baby. When I explain to moms that their baby is relieved to be at breast without struggling and are savoring this new found experience the majority of moms understand.

As to #2, why not in a nice way relate that mother/baby closeness is what baby expects? I do this all the time and give moms the facts that baby expects to be close, nurse often, and let moms know that they will get more sleep if not getting up and down at night to get the baby. There will be those who don't want to co-bed or co-sleep but I tend to just repeat what the biological norm is, and tell them it is their baby so up to them how they handle the "big sleep issue." I must admit occasionally I'm in a circumstance where I'm biting my tongue but still give moms the biological norm talk and how this helps baby to be more secure, better utilize growth hormone, throw out names like Bergman, McKenna, etc. This little talk removes it from being my opinion (I have a very strong one on baby sleep) and I can use an evidence based factual approach with moms, and most truly appreciate this.

Hope this helps.

Barbara Latterner

I have noticed a pattern, and am wondering if it happens to anyone else. #1. The day after I see a Mom and Baby who were not feeding well, I very frequently get a panicked call: the baby has been eating "nonstop", fed all night, falls asleep at the breast and wakes up crying when moved, and Mom is convinced her breasts have been "sucked dry".I assume this is because the baby is so happy that the breastfeeding relationship has been mended, that it is cluster feeding to make up for lost time?#2. The same Moms frequently call me later on wondering how to get their baby to sleep. As much as I just want to say "co-sleep and nurse all night. welcome to normal breastfeeding!" I know that is not the answer they want. I get kind of stuck here.Does anyone else experience this with their clients?

[Guest guest]

Dear Colleagues:

I too have noticed this pattern, enough that I present it as a possibility

before the first visit is over. This celebratory revival of nursing has lasted

only a few days with the moms that have reported it to me.

Seems to me like the baby goes back to newborn feeding behaviors.

warmly,

Nikki Lee