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  • LACTATION MODULE: The Fussy Breastfed Infant
  • NDC domain #2 (feeds). Frequent flexible breastfeeds, lactose overload, conditioned dialling up, paced bottle feeds

COMMON BREASTFEEDING PROBLEM #3: conditioned dialling up at the breast

Dr Pamela Douglas17th of Aug 202325th of Feb 2025

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Some babies have what I call a conditioned dialling up at the breast. It is often very upsetting to find your baby has developed this problem.

  • Your little one might start dialling up from the moment you begin to prepare for a breastfeed, because he knows the feed is about to happen.

  • Conditioned dialling up may also seem to get worse as the feed progresses.

But a conditioned dialing up at the breast is commonly misdiagnosed as a medical condition, such as reflux, allergy, gas, wind, tongue tie, or lactose intolerance.

It's important to sort out this distressing situation as quickly as we can. We discuss conditioned dialling up at the breast, its five main causes, and what to do, starting here.

Recommended resources

When does baby have a conditioned dialling up at the breast and what to do about it? (brief and simple overview)

Reason for fussiness at the breast #5: baby has a conditioned dialling up (comprehensive)

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Next up in NDC domain #2 (feeds). Frequent flexible breastfeeds, lactose overload, conditioned dialling up, paced bottle feeds

Lactose: mammary gland synthesis and secretion + digestion in the infant gut

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How is lactose synthesised and secreted into breast milk?

The paragraphs in this first section 'How lactose is synthesised and secreted into breast milk' are adapted extracts from Toca et al 2022.

Lactose comprises 80% of carbohydrate found in the milk of placental mammals. Lactose provides 40% of the human infant's caloric intake from breast milk.

Lactocytes synthesize lactose from glucose and galactose within their Golgi apparatus. The lactose and also alpha-lactalbumin are released into Golgi vesicles, and then released through the cell membrane into the lumen by exocytosis.

more articles in NDC domain #2 (feeds). Frequent flexible breastfeeds, lactose overload, conditioned dialling up, paced bottle feeds

  • 4

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    COMMON BREASTFEEDING PROBLEM #2: not offering the breast frequently and flexibly enough
  • 12

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    Is your baby unsettled or having trouble sleeping because of lactose?
  • 1

    minute
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    Lactose overload in breastfed babies. Dr Pamela Douglas & Dr Sharon Perrella, F2F Masterclass Melbourne 2018
  • 6

    minute
    read

    Conditioned dialling up with breastfeeds: diagnosis + management
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