At the beginning, breastfeeding was difficult due to milk supply and poor latch issues. Gradually my milk came in and baby learned to suck. Things have been going okay until last week (11 weeks old) his feeding behaviour changed quite a bit. I’m not sure what to make of it.
i will briefly explain before & after:
prior to 11 weeks:
- each feed was about 30-40 min, approx equal on both sides, burp between breasts
- good drinking for first 5 to 10 (i could feel definite let down)
- after 10 min, lots of sucking but less swallowing
- i did lots of compression & massage to help milk come out after first 10 min
- fed every 2 to 3 hours
- baby was aggressive/eager at breast, probably frustrated with slow flow but would suck for 15 to 20 min on each side
- I used the “breastfriend” so baby was lying down during feed
after 11 weeks old:
- most feeds only 15 min (10 min on 1 side, 5 on other)
- after 10 min on first side (sometimes less!) baby becomes very fussy and has a huge burp (seems much gassier than before)
- while drinking, he is gulping quite loudly (i wonder if he's gulping some air?)
- after his burp i try to put him back on SAME breast (to get more hindmilk) but he screams at me
- if i put him on other breast he will usually take it but not for more than 5 or 10 min at most
- again, he will fuss a lot and have another huge burp
- if i try either side again he usually gets very upset
- because i'm not sure that he's getting enough, i'll try to feed him again within 1 hour, sometimes less
- he usually will latch quite aggressively but not suck for long (similar to above)
- stopped using “breastfriend” and have baby propped up on my legs and leaning into my arm
my main concerns:
- is he getting enough volume
- is he getting enough hindmilk
- is he developing habit of snacking
of course, weight gain is a concern too. he is in the 10-25 percentile. some weeks he gains only 90g, other weeks he gains almost 180g.
any thoughts?
Sounds perfectly normal. Both my daughters after a couple months were so efficient, they only nursed for about 5 minutes at a time.
my first thought was he's snacking but he's not gaining..perhaps your breasts aren't letting down? if he isn't gaining you may have to supplement..i had a big baby..10.2 lbs and sometimes had to supplement..best formula i found that was easiest on my son's belly was Good Start Supreme Comfort Proteins..
here is a list i made when i was still bfing that helps build up your supply..also i was thinking perhaps he's developing reflux..my son started that at 4.5 months so i would give him a little oatmeal in his bm bottles..ok here is the list..hope this helps
1. rent a hospital grade pump..Medela Classic is what i'm using..it's
$3 a day and totally worth it! OR better yet buy one off ebay and
when you're done you can re-sell it on ebay and get your money back.
i bought one and it works great..the medela classic is supposed to be
the best pump out there.
2. get the Easy Expression bra www.easyexpressionproducts.com it
holds both cups over you bb's and it's better to pump 2 at a time
3. eat oatmeal ....get the healthy kind i add bananas also i would
think pasta would be good b/c it retains water
4. Take "Lactation Supplement" by Gaia Herbs you can find it at the
health food store
5. try to pump at the same time every day...also try power pumping..
10 minutes pumping..then stop for 10 then 10 again and then stop and
so on. even pump if you aren't getting anything.
6. Make sure the white membrane thingies that attach onto the cups
are fairly new ..over used ones affect how much milk you get
7. Drink lots of fluids including Nursing Mom's tea or Mother's Milk
tea or the tea i prefer is www.breastea.com ..also drinks with
electrolytes like Recharge...Smart Water...Gatorade i notice on days
i drink a lot of fluids i have more milk
8. Eat barley..Barley Grass supplements are great. also..they have
barley bread at Trader Joe's if you have a Trader Joe's where you
live..or just buy barley. I buy a delicious barley tea at the
japanese market and i drink a couple of cups a day..it's decaf and
yummy.
i also drink Healthy Mom's drinks by Ensure
9.A warm wash cloth helps too ..apply to breasts before pumping or
try the breast heating pads that you heat up in the microwave.
10. Keep taking your prenatal vitamin..not getting a lot of milk
could mean a vitamin deficiency
even if you pump just a little ..save what you get and start adding
them together and then supplement with the milk that you pump..that's
why it's also good to pump after they've gone to sleep..then you help
build your supply and you also have more bb milk for baby..
11. nurse nurse nurse..triple up on nursing..you're going to have to
dedicate a week to it
the more you pump the more milk you'll begin to make.
12. LOTS OF REST..nap if you can ..milk builds when you rest
13. DHA supplements also are great for lactation..also found at the
health food store*
14. Alfalfa supplements are also great.
i think that's it..
15. Try a whey protein powder drink.. i use "Whey to Go" by
Solgar..you mix it with milk add some berries and a banana. it says
to check with your doc before using if you're bfing..so ask your
doc..i only drink one a day and i add a some Motherlove's "More Milk
Plus" to it.
16. Again you should double pump when you're pumping so make sure you
get the bra to make it easier on you!
17. Goat's Rue herb is also supposed to help boost
honestly drink LOTS of liquids
keep yourself moist ...don't take any birth control pills.
18. there is also this stuff called Motilium aka DOM a lot of mom's
use this ..it's for reflux but it builds up your supply.. you can
read about it on Kellymom.com http://www.kellymom.com/newman/19a-
domperidone1.html
and you can buy it here... http://www.inhousepharmacy.com/general/
motilium.html
As a baby gets older... they suck more efficiently... thus they sometimes nurse for shorter periods..... but are getting adequate intake.
Your baby is at 3 months old... THIS is a "growth-spurt" period. THUS intake needs, and frequency... increases. EVERY 3 months, is a growth-spurt period, in a baby....
Do you use both breasts per session? I did, and per our Pediatrician. My kids as babies emptied both breasts. Then they would be satisfied. I nursed on-demand, always. Never by a 'schedule.'
Is he satisfied after nursing??? and/or falls asleep? If so, he is probably full.
Does he have enough wet diapers?? If so he is getting adequate intake.
NO he is not developing a habit of "snacking." Your baby is SO young... AND they also do what is called "cluster feeding" which means they even need to feed every.single.hour.... and is having growth-spurts. THUS the need to always feed a baby... on-demand. And by their cues.
Is your baby growing/gaining weight adequately? If so, then he is probably getting enough intake.
I always nursed my kids, with a Boppy pillow... while I sat in a chair. During the night too... or lying down if I was simply too tired.
I would... perhaps talk to a Lactation Consultant.... and ask them what you mentioned here.
Also, is he latching on properly??? If not, a baby will not be getting enough intake.... either, even if they are sucking.
The ENTIRE areola... should be in his mouth. Not just the baby's mouth in the tip of the nipple.
all the best,
Susan
My baby is just 4 weeks old and i've already noticed a difference in her feeding as well. She doesnt stay at the breast as long as before, but she seems to empty my breast faster -- maybe she's more efficient, got the hang of bf... i hope... She feeds every 1 1/2 to 2 hours during the day and every 3-4 hours at night. She has consistent wet diapers and she consistently poops... so i know she is getting sufficient nutrition.
How is your baby voiding - still same amount of wet diapers? If so then he's ok. My doctor warned me to make sure that my baby is hungry before giving her the breast -- otherwise, the baby might start using me as a pacifier --- this happened with my first child, we are currently on baby number 2. I was the security blanket for baby no.1 -- so i'm less eager to security blanket for no. 2
I've heard that weight gain fluctuates with infants -- they have growth spurts, not always steady -- so i would stress so much on exactly how much he is gaining -- be happy that he is not sick and gaining.
My first baby was always at the bottom of the curve re:weight, and I was stressed -- since she was breast fed, i took on all the burden and felt guilty because she was tiny... but, now i know better -- each child is different, just think "as long as they are not ill and growing, they are ok, the rate of growth is different for each child". My first one is now 4 and she still a beanpole -- skinny and tall and healthy =)...
Really sounds to me like a classic case of him being intolerant/allergic to something you are eating - try eliminating things like dairy, then eggs and see if he is less fussy. Also, it may also be collic - try anti-gas drops, they are great and very safe.
If he is not gaining weight - talk to your doctor, dont wait. Babies are delicate and really need the nutrition, consider supplementing with formula. I know that there are many moms/women who dont want to supplement or feed their babies formula but if your baby needs it then use it - it is nutritious and can really help your baby gain weight and regulate his system.
Talk to your doctor if you have concerns... there are people out there that can help.
Good Luck!
This sounds to me like your let down has kicked in, full throttle. Basically he gulps air because he can't quite handle the flow (aka heavy letdown). Many moms with heavy letdown are much more successful nursing in the lying down position (you and your side on the bed and baby lying next to you).
I also agree that this is growth spurt time, but the gulping, fussing and big burp are big indicators of a heavy letdown (which is great, but you will need to figure out a way for baby to be able to handle it). Lying down works because excess milk can flow out the corner of the baby's mouth to the bed and gravity doesn't help the milk come down harder.
Frequent feeds, even if it is only 10 minutes, is a great way to boost supply and baby's weight. And remember - some babies are just naturally smaller. My guess though, is that you will start to see him gain faster now due to the heavy flow :)
Peace :)
First, have you talked to your pediatrician? Second, relax, babies are always changing. As soon as you figure out they like, need, want, patterns, they change it up on you. But, honestly, If he's not gaining enough weight perhaps its time to switch to or supplement with formula.
He could be going through a growth spurt, he can also just be becoming a more efficient sucker. my daughter would eat for 40 minutes or so on each side in the beginning and now at 6 months she is hardly on for 5 minutes on each side and she is done and full. If he is gaining weight he should be fine on hindmilk. His weight percentage doesn't mean a whole lot other then he needs to stay in roughly the same range. my daughter is 2% right now at 5.5 yrs old and has been between the 0-5 for weight and 5-10% for height her whole life. My son has consistantly be in the 40-50% for height and weight. My newest is hanging around the 20%. You are most likely doing just great, keep up the good work
He could be going through a growth spurt like the other people said, or it could be a feeding strike. They are hard to handle sometimes, but they are just more interested in looking around than they are in eating. Try going to a quite place and making sure both of you are relaxing, it will end in a couple of days. The more you stress the more it could hurt your milk supply so try to relax he will eat when he is hungry and is not going to starve himself.
Growth spurt. 'Snacking' is fine, especially if he is in the smaller percentile. Try some different positions. I like to lie down with mine, and my first did better about three months when we were lieing down. Remember to put a blanket or towel down to catch overflow. If he is done, he is done. let him tell you when he is hungry. Hind milk is great for getting them to sleep, but during the day, if he doesn't want it, don't force the issue. He may want to be more active... Remember, relax. that is the best thing for you and him.
Good luck!
R.
