Question about 3 wk old and breastfeeding.

Brandi - posted on 10/04/2009

Hey yea my son is now two months and he is starting to get better , but he was the same way he ate every hour and I felt like all I did was feed him. I almost stopped doing it because thats all I did. But I'm glad I didn't because now its getting better. So don't give up :)

Mandy - posted on 10/04/2009

maybe changing something in your diet might help (lactose), or try pumping some to see how much she is eating. I have been breastfeeding mjy 5 month old and she seems to eat every 45 min to and hour but she will only eat for a few min at a time. i pumped to see how much she would take at a time and it worked out right.

Jennifer - posted on 10/04/2009

When my son who is now 5 months was first born, he was always attached to me. I have learned that the pediatrician expect your child to grow like they want them too. All children are different and will not grow the way anyone wants them too. Don't stress about it either. Stress can cause your milk production to slow down.

Heather - posted on 10/04/2009

Try watching what you eat for the gassiness...I am unable to eat such things as raw cabbage and asparagus, cooked or raw. You can also try to boost your supply of breastmilk with safe herbs like blessed thistle, fenugreek and eating raw or lightly blanched kale.
As for her wanting to nurse constantly, it may be really hard, but don' feed her all the time, keep her in a sling next to you so you can get back to your life and when she gets really hungry she will let you know. Has she been awake the whole time you nursed her from 8-12? She may be just pacifying herself.
I hope this helps for you. I am the mother of an 8 week old solely breastfed boy. You can also try pumping to see how much milk you are producing.
Heather

Lisa - posted on 10/04/2009

you are doing the right thing and the advice given here is all good. I will however add that the bet thing you can do for yourself is get yourself in to the hospital breast feeding clinic or nearest club if not available. My local hospital not only helped me but gave me oodles of confidence. Keep up the fight for your OWN choice's and beliefs when it comes to being a mother.
Congrats!!!
Just a question when you co-bed do you use seperate blankets one for you and one for your child (baby bags are the best) and without your partner. I co-bedded for the first year and was given this advice.

Amanda - posted on 10/04/2009

yea feed her for like 30min and if it's anything like my son's she likes to suck on things and so after the 30 or 45 min feeding then I would give him a binki and he would fall asleep but he is up every four hrs to eat again and a couple nights he has slept for six hrs and I just recently started giving him formula after the feeding (only one or mayb two times a day) cause I was the same way as you are my son was 7lbs 6oz thenat his one month checkup he was 7lbs 11oz so he is under weight but the doc said he is doing just fine and breasfed babies are smaller then formula fed at this age anyway.But my lil one he is doing just fine and he is 5weeks old and after feeding him he just wants to chit chat and all...lol he is diong great,Good luck!

Lisa - posted on 10/04/2009

if you get tired of the constant sucking--babies suck when their tummies hurt...they could be hungry, gassy, or full and they will want to suck...give her a pacifier, when you feel she is just rooting for the sucking pleasure not because she's hungry. I know it's hard to read newborn signals, but if you pop a pacifier in her mouth and she sucks and doesn't spit it out and scream at you...good sign she just wants to suck. My LO sucked the skin right off my nipples until I got her a pacifier. now, I hate pacifiers, but I needed SOMETHING for relief. And she only used it for a week or so, then settled into a regular nursing routine.
but whatever you do don't start giving a bottle. that will make your supply dwindle and cause a weaning effect.
just remember the first month is probably the hardest when nursing for the first time.

Kristin - posted on 10/03/2009

take a deep breath...my daughter is just 4 months and i am still breastfeeding. One thing i noticed with her in the begining is that she would fall alseep at the breast alot and it was frustrating because as soon as i took her off she would cry. I found the pacifier worked ( she is already tired of it though) One thing i noticed at this point is that she was very gassy as well and would get greenish stools sometimes. The doc never said there was a problem but after reading i tend to think it was a hindmilk imbalance because she wasnt draining the breast that well. The docs also told me that she was gaining on the low side...Stick to ur guns dont supplement yet...I basically for a few days camped out and fed her every 2 hrs for a few days and she put on what the docs wanted to see and all was good. I would however let her sleep as long as she wanted at night but wake her during the day.

I was very against supplementing with my daughter because with my son who is now 3 i had alot of issues with him latching correctly and he wasnt gaining....started bottles and well long story short i was in tears frustrated and gave up breastfeeding. With my daughter i have sought out alot more help. Make sure ur lil one is latched on right. And one more thing i felt that my daughter would nurse better in the football hold when she was first born. Keep it up though....everybodys situation is different there are days i supplement when i am feeling frustrated but i have a very busy 3 yr old....a husband who works 60 plus hrs a week and myself who works 2 part time jobs....We can only do so much

Renee - posted on 10/03/2009

Hi! Please don't get discouraged! I know it's tiresome! I didn't get to nurse my 1st, but am still enjoying nursing my 2nd and she's 20 months old now. They do eat sometimes every hour on the hour when that small. Mine would also hang on to it for hours on end w/ brief breaks! Plus, babies grow so much their 1st year! So, they have growth spurts where ALL they WANT to DO is NURSE!!!! You can do it! Hang in there. Make sure you drink plenty of water to help with milk supply. Also,Nursing will deplete your body, so keep taking your prenatal/nursing vitamins! Take Care!

Julia - posted on 10/03/2009

in my experience you are doing the right thing. each baby is different and each situation is different. if you have any concerns talk to your doctor. but in my experience, my baby also wanted to be on the breast every second, and she nurses for hours at a time. remember, your baby could be using you as a pacifier.

Melanie - posted on 10/03/2009

Just keep at it. It'll get easier trust me. Breast is best. I have a 4.5 year old and she was exclusively breastfed, and my 11 month old is still breastfeeding. I remember when they were newborns, I swear they were constantly at the breast you'd swear it was part of them. My 4.5 year old weighed 5lbs 4oz at birth, and she breastfed constantly, and I thought she wasn't getting enough, but as long as they have plenty of wet diapers, and gaining weight they're doing fine. My 11 month old still nurses a lot. Babies who breastfeed usually gain between 1.5 - 2lbs per month. My 4.5 year old never had an ear infection, or serious illnesses, and it was cuz she was a breastfed baby. As a matter of fact, my 11 month old really hasn't been sick either. It has been shown babies who have been breastfed have higher I.Q's fewer illnesses, tend not to be overweight when they get older and there are benefits to the mother also. Low risk of breast cancer, it relaxes the mother, good for the heart and other things.There is a book out by The La Leche League about everything you need to know about breastfeeding. I think it's called the Womanly Art of Breastfeeding. You'll find it in your local bookstore. Get it, it's the best, and it will help with some of the questions you might have. Don't give up!!! Good Luck:)

Alexis - posted on 10/03/2009

I hear you there girl. I had my first on the 29th of July and he did the same thing for the first5 or6 weeks. I introduced a bottle at three weeks with breast milk that I had been pumping( what a life saver) that way I could give my boobs a break and leet dad take over (if possible) I was scared about starving my son also thinking i wasn't producing enough milk but as long as they are gaining weight you should be fine. my son sleeps most of the night too so the doc said he is probably jsut making up for sleeping in the night. and now that he is 2 months old he is getting better but still eats alot. Good for you for caring so much and continuing with breastfeeding a really good breastfeeding tip site is www.kellymom.com check it out I hope it helps. and hang in there your doing great!

Kat - posted on 10/03/2009

Hiya,Stop worrying everythings fine.I went through exactly the same and im still in a way, my baby is 9 minths and is wanting to feed off me alot.When she was newborn it was constant and i use to get frustrated too and worried if she was gaining weight,and she was gaining it just right.As she gets older she will not want you as much,you just have to persavere with it but as time went on it got easier and i fed her on demand,and when she wakes in the night now which is every 2 hours sometimes,she will latch on and usually drop back off to sleep,its reasurrance to her to know your there alot of the time and breastfed babies are more clingy than bottlefed babies.You will in time over the next few months be a pro at it and should be proud,your giving her the best start.

Jessica - posted on 10/03/2009

my son breastfed like this for the first month. and now at 2 months he eats every 3-4 hours for about 25 min.. just bcuz his suctionhas increased and he can swallow more at a time. your doing fine. her weight gain sounds normal seeing as they lose weight after birth. her weight shoud pick up any week. she's just taking her time. she's just not a fast eater. and she probably enjoys the time with mommy.

Ruth - posted on 10/03/2009

baby's have roughly set growth spurts at about 6 wks etc when they will maybe spend the day feeding more regularly, but shouldn't be all day every day, just occassionally.

Ruth - posted on 10/03/2009

Lots of things to comment on here! Things can be done to make things better but you have to want to change things and to see it through.

If she is not putting on 'enough' weight it could be because she is not feeding properly. Snacking and comfort feeding and falling asleep on the breast all contribute to low weight gain.

I bet she is not sucking and swallowing milk for the whole 4 hours!

it's ok if you don't mind her using your nipple as a dummy/ pacifyer.

if you allow at least 3 hours inbetween a breastfeed it gives her time to digest her feed properly and be ready for a full feed which will fill her up and help her to sleep and get the rest she needs to grow and develop properly.

they say that colic can be linked to the baby not having enough time to fully digest a feed and can lead to gas etc.

if she falls asleep on the breast take her off wind her and put her down in her cot etc. put a small muslin that has your sent on next to her tucked in properly so she doesn't suffocate, but still has 'you' next to her.

try to lenghten time inbetween feeds. My twins were routinely fed and slept through the night from 6weeks and 10 weeks. the less time she spends unnessecarily sucking on your nipple the more time you have to look at books, sing songs and interact with your little bundle.

if she is not taking a full feed at night and just waking for sips try giving her a bottle of water when she wakes at night for sips and then this in turn will make her hungrier and she will have a big full feed 1st thing in the morning. start with that bit first and then get more advice when you have mastered this. all the best :0)

Stacey - posted on 10/03/2009

i breast fed my son for the first 3 months then my mlk stopped due to an injection but befor that i did demand feeding he only puton 4oz every week but seemed alot more content then he ever has on formula,also i shared the bed with my son whilst breast feeding and got a better amount of sleep than when he was in the cot and having 2 get up with dificulty due 2 having a section. but my son was the same felt permenatly attatched and he loved to suckle so i was advised to give a dummy which ment he went a little longer between feed n giving him the dummy then winding worked wonders for changing the amount he was on my breast

Jessie - posted on 10/03/2009

You are doing just fine! my son was the same way at first (he's almost 3 months now) he was 6 lbs. 2.8 ounces.. he got jaundice and dropped to 5 lbs 11 oz.. he ate what seemed like every minute of the day until about 6 or 7 weeks. he now is around 12 pounds from his last weighing. People who have not breastfed or had a bad experience WILL TELL YOU TO FORMULA FEED. IGNORE THEM! My mother was the worst one for this because she didn't have success bf me and didn't bother with my siblings... people are still saying it to me even though my son is fine he eats every 2-3 hours and they think it's too often. Don't give up. Please at least wait until 2 months before thinking about it.. trust me I wanted to give up b/c it was hard at first but now it is wonderful!

Cindy - posted on 10/02/2009

first of all you are probably doing everything right. dont leave her on the breast for so long. she is using your nipple as a pacifier while she sleeps or needs soothing try to give her other soothing techiniques. when she falls asleep take the nipple out of her mouth and put her in her crib, in a swing, in the stroller wherever she feels comfortable. If you continue you are going to get very soar nipples. I experienced bleeding nipples you dont want to experience that. My daughter spent the first 6 months of her life in the swing she loved it. she would not sleep anywhere else. what ever works all kids are different. if she is gassy and fussy it could be what you are eating or not eating. make sure you r still taking your vitamins and look into some of the foods. if you are having broccoli or cauliflower it might cause her gas. I went through a something similar with my son. dont give up. look into a group called "La Leche League" they give lots of advise and help. hang in there good luck

Michelle - posted on 10/02/2009

with my oldest daughter she was the same way she was gaining weight but she wanted to eat all the time. i had a c-section so it was easier of a night to feed her in a chair and we just slept there cause she just wanted to eat the whole night so at 3 weeks i gave her her first bottle and that was a cerial bottle and she took it like she hadnt had anything to eat and she slept that night also so i started suplimenting with a bottle and she prefered that instead so sometimes you just need to go by what your baby is telling you. i know it is hard when you think that you might not be able to breast feed your baby and i loved the bonding but sometimes your milk just doesnt satisfy the little one and you dont have enough fat or what ever in it. i hope that this will help. i dont know if this is your first or not. with my second child i breast fed her and she was very happy and satisfied except her night routine was from 6 - 10 she would eat and dose and then at 10 she would be out and sleep till 5 the next morning sometimes waking up to eat a little

Lorry - posted on 10/02/2009

I have had 2 children and they both did the same thing. At birth my daughter weighed 6 lbs 13.6 ounces and my son weighed 6 pounds 5 ounces and they were both full term. Like everyone else has said you are doing the right thing....it is frusterating at times when you are tired and your nipples hurt, but as long as she is growing. Both of my children starting to relax once they learned how to suck their thumbs. Also, as far as the weight gain my children are both still really skinny, they are 3 and 17 months. If you and the baby's father are on the smaller side a lot of times your baby will just be smaller no matter how much she eats....metabolism does play a huge part in this....keep your chin up!

Mary-Ann - posted on 10/02/2009

i am a first time mom and have the same problem as you. My baby girl does the same thing feeds alot in the day and a few times in the night. I give her gripe water for the gas and fussyness and it works well. For the feeding alot I just feed when she wants it because i don't want to start formula as yet. I am a student nurse and don't believe formulas should be started that early. My baby was born the 2nd september

Heather - posted on 10/02/2009

do you pump? mt son was born preturm and i pump for three weeks before he could go home. The bottle can show you how much she is eating at a time and use a slow flow nipple once a day. this may help. try pumping once a day instead of formula.

Bridgette - posted on 10/02/2009

I have breastfeed 3 of my children and yes they do eat alot,sometimes they are not really hungry they just want to suck.I dont know how you feal about pacifiers but thats what i use in between feeding to give me a break.Hang in there it does get better

Karissa - posted on 10/02/2009

My daughter is now 10 months and I had to give up nursing about a month ago because I was working full time. I remember when my daughter was first born she would nurse for 30-45 min and fall asleep and then i would just put the binky in her mouth. I'm not sure if you choose to use pacifiers but they really worked wonders for me - some babys take them, some dont.

As long as your child doesn't have jaundice, then you know she is well nourished. I hope it all works out...

PS my daughter did sometimes want to eat every hour / hour and a half for a while

Lisa - posted on 10/02/2009

Thanks for all the wonderful advice, everyone! I do think i'm going to continue with the breastfeeding. I was at my doctor today and she's gained 10 ounces in 7 days! She's at 7 1/2 pounds in 4 weeks.....the doctor was so pleased, and also really encouraged me to keep it up. You all have such great comments.....very helpful, thank yous!!!

Sharmila - posted on 10/02/2009

Well for around the first two months i guess most babies need to be fed frequently. I could never keep track of the number of feeds per day. But my daughter never spent so long on the nipple but that is just my personal experience and we need to understand that every baby is unique!!.It is quite possible that she enjoys ur warmth and wakes up when u try to detach her from ur breast and keep her on the bed. Make sure u check if u have an adequate supply of milk by squeezing ur nipple on and off. Drink plenty of fluids and EAT WELL. Typically, a baby sleeps for about 20hrs during the 1st few weeks and wake up every couple of hrs approximately to eat, but there certainly can be exceptions. Breast milk is a wonderful gift of love u can give ur newborn baby and formula should be the last resort. The secret of a good milk supply is feeding ur baby as often as possible.

Sammy - posted on 10/02/2009

Sounds exactly like my daughter, we have little boobie monsters!!

Enjoy having her in your arms and keep up the good work!

=D

Courtney - posted on 10/02/2009

oh yeah all this response you have got are great but really look bacak at jackie caldwell. Awesome points and so true. You must rest while she rest or you will be restless. My daughter and I shared a bond like no one else. Im 21 and I loved it. A couple years from now when I have my second child im going to nurse again. It was an amazing experience for me. It is painful at first but that wont last longer than a month..good luck.

Courtney - posted on 10/02/2009

Breasfeeding is totally different than a bottle. Your milk hadn come in yet and you should have been leaking the c stuff. Forgot what its called and that is so healthy for baby. She is also getting your milk supply ready for eating habits. you will produce milk according to how she drinks it. When the milk comes it comes. YOU MUST GET AN ELECTRIC BREAST PUMP IF POSSIBLE. It was my best friend the let down effects can be very painful if you dont have one or your daughted doesnt drink as much as first. she will look a little chubby to you while on the breast but it will fall off so dont put the kid on a diet okay..

Courtney - posted on 10/02/2009

hi, I delivered a 6 lb 3/4 oz baby girl on June 26, 2008 and she too was pretty small to me and greedy. However, I am African American and we tend to let our children eat as much as they like. Since she is so small, I think that is best for her. Nursing has so many advantages. My daughter barely got sick until she started day care. She has never had an ear infection and she is now 15 months. That beautiful baby girl knows when she is full and you should let her spit it out. She could also be using the nipple as a pacifier. Its totally up to you if you allow her to do. My daughter would not use the pacicfier so I did let her use the nipple instead but not for long period of time. Once I started working and going to school. I pumped my milk and she loved that but it took her a couple of days to get adjusted the those Dr. Brown's bottles I later switched her to Playtex, my mother loves these, and she had absolutely no problems with this. however, I took malia off the bottle at age 11 months when she started walking and she didnt cry for it or anything, that could be because while she was on the bottle I introduced the cup to her and she drunk out of it every now and then. I also think it is a great idea for mothers to wheen kids off of things when they learn something new. For instance, if she would such a pacifier I would have probably taken it away when she started crawling...! Hope this helps you!~

Tabatha - posted on 10/02/2009

Babies go through a growth spurt around 3 weeks and again at 6 weeks, so be prepared. She will not starve, and she will eat when she wants for as long as she wants and there is nothing wrong with that. If your milk is coming out slowly now, it usually gets faster with time. Don't give up! What you are doing is best for your precious baby.

Ashleigh - posted on 10/01/2009

first, relax. breastmilk is strictly supply and demand. she's demanding a supply!! she may be preparing your breasts for a growth spurt, she may be using your breast as comfort, she may love being so close to your skin, all perfectly normal. letting her nurse often stimulates your body to make milk and maintains the supply she wants/needs. for her night time feedings, to get her to nurse longer you could try changing her diaper between breasts. also, joining a local la leche league is an excellent resource..it's where you can meet other moms going through the same thing and what worked/didn't work for them.

Alissa - posted on 10/01/2009

Breast compression helps, make sure you are eating enough calories to make enough milk, eating oatmeal helps with supply. My son used to nurse a long time because he would fall asleep so I always rubbed his head or nudged him so he would get more food.

Christa - posted on 10/01/2009

My little girl was the same way for the first 3-4 months of her life. I was constantly feeding her and never had a moment where i didn't, but she also only woke up a two or three time a night. I would say if breastfeeding is something you want to do, then do it. Keelee is a petite peanut as her doctor likes to call her, but has always been healthy though underweight. As long as your doctor isn't worried, stick with it. Sometimes babies just have fast metabolisms! And that's all there is to it.

Barb - posted on 10/01/2009

Stick to breastfeeding!! it is the best thing for the baby. my son also used to feed for long periods, but is now almost 3 months and doesn't feed for so long. Breast is best!!

Maryann - posted on 10/01/2009

First let me say congrats! Your daughter and I share a birthday :) I just had my second son on the 13th of september.. There is nothing wrong with you little girl. Babies have growning days when they want to eat around the clock. On top of that they want to nurse for a variety of reasons, when they're hungry, thristy, need to pass gass or have a BM, because they have growing pains, or because they are lonely and need to know that their mother is their for them. As far as your daughter being gassy/fussy, it's most likely something in your diet. Try cutting out a certain food for a few days and see if it helps. Whatever you do don't give up!! It can take weeks to get the hanf of it, but once you do it's so worth it!

Tarah - posted on 10/01/2009

I had a similar case with my second (she is almost 7 weeks old) I personally say keep up the good work! but if your really concerned consult a lactation consultant, It helped me, and know we are good. I even have a supply for when I go back to work. Be brave, hang in there. Sometime to give myself a break, I pump a bottle for her, this allows my hubby or any guest to feed her while I take a shower or do stuff around the house, also a good time for a nap.

Jackie - posted on 10/01/2009

Quoting Lisa:

Question about 3 wk old and breastfeeding.

I had y baby girl on the 3rd of september and i've been breastfeeding her from the beginning. I enjoy it and want to keep doing it. I'm worried though, i dont know if she's okay with it.....at my last doctors appointent she had gained 8 ounces in 10 days so the doc said "she's making it but she's still on the light side" and wants to see me again on friday. She was 6 lbs at birth and now is almost 7.....the thing i'm wondering about it her being gassy and fussy....and wanting to eat constantly.

Today a friend of mine was over and she was commenting on how she's never seen a baby "on the boob" for so long. Yesterday i fed my baby from 8:00 am in the morning untill 12:00 pm noon when she finally wanted to go to sleep. I've tried everything everyone has told me......I'm really starting to worry that something is wrong. I spend almost every hour of the day feeding her because she's constantly rooting if she's not sleeping or going for a walk in the sling. She was a pretty small baby at birth,..6 lbs, but also healthy and the doctor keeps telling me to just feed her when she wants, but i haven't had a minute when she DIDN'T want to eat. I've been told that switching to a bottle would be a better way of doing things but i'm not sure i really want to do that yet. I need advice.....i don't want to make the wrong decision. Do all babies eat this much? I read stories about women who feed every couple of hours or even an hour in between......sometimes she eats for 4 hours with a few burps in between!! Help.

p.s. ..I do share my bed with her and she feeds 2 or 3 times in the night, but only briefly and then goes back to sleep. Could she just be making up for this during the day? I'm quite frusturated as this is my first and i don't want to starve her or do the wrong thing!

Everything you have just said is perfectly normal!  Yes her weight gain is a little on the low side.  She is nursing often because she is trying to bring in more milk.  This is more then normal and perfect timing for it.  My son nursed just like your daughter.  He nursed until he was 1 1/2 and is a pretty darn healthy 5 year old now.  He was only 5 lbs 1 oz when he was born and you would never know it comparing him to his friends.  Your doctor is totally right about feeding on deman.  Unfortantly the first 3 months of nursing is spent doing just that.  Most women quit before it gets easy... after 3 months.

Here is some recommendations that I can think of that could be effecting your milk.  1) You need to stop extra activities.  This is the time for you to bond with your daughter and get the nursing down.  So don't worry about entertaining others, don't worry about the laundry piling up.  Just relax and nurse on demand.  2) Make sure you are taking care of yourself.  Drink plenty of fluids.  Have a glass of water every time she nurses *not a huge glass since she is still nursing so often*.  Relax and don't over do yourself.  Make sure you are eating enough also.  3) Nap while the baby is sleeping.  Sleeping will help with your milk production because you aren't burning extra calories and it will help you feel less stressed.  4) Its okay to have a beer.  So okay I would even recommend it.  I couldn't tell you what it is about beer but it does help the milk supply.  No getting loaded but we always kept mommys nursing beer in the fridge.  Drove my husbands friends nuts that they couldn't drink the last beer!

Keep up the good work and don't give up if its not what you want! You are doing a great job!!

Lindsay - posted on 10/01/2009

My daughter ate like that/ For the first 6 weeks I was spending 8-10 hours a day nursing her. Then, they get a little more mature in terms of their digestion and food storage and need to eat less. My now 4 month old still nurses often, but I think it is as much a comfort as a food source for her. If you enjoy it, keep doing it, it is the best thing for her! As far as the docs go, they are often encouraging formula and mine wanted me to supplement right form the get-go. I never did, and my daughter is 13 pounds and happy and healthy! Keep up the good work!

Maria - posted on 10/01/2009

I had my son August 4th and am also breastfeeding, there are many days when he wants to nurse every hour or two, after beign on a 3 to 4 hour schedule. to avoid becoming engorged or sore sometimes when he wants to nurse again before 3 to 4 hours i make him a 2 ounce bottle of formula, this has been working so far for us and he still gets most of his feedings from breast milk plus he gets the added vitamins and iron from the formula.

Leslie - posted on 10/01/2009

Try to relax and remember no baby is made the same! Some babies, given the opportunity will eat as much as they can, and other not so much, but try not to worry yourself!



You might want try feeding her both breast, about 15-20min each breast, and burping her really good! Take a break, rock her, sooth her, play, try to take her mind off eating for a while.... then feed her. After a while try pushing it out to every two hours, that way your nipples get a much needed break!



You can also consult a lactation specialist, they have tons of advise!



You may find out that there is nothing wrong with your baby wanting to eat all the time, I believe your body tells you what it needs, and its no different with babies.



It might be a good idea to pump some milk, store it and try giving it to her in a bottle... esp. on the days when your nipples need a break, have daddy or a friend give you some YOU time, or if worse case senario you get hospitalized you have the milk stored and ready, but you might want to try to get baby a little used to the bottle now.



http://www.llli.org/WebUS.html

link to phone support



http://www.llli.org/resources.html

website for breast feeding moms



I hope this helps.

Stacy - posted on 10/01/2009

I'm going through the same thing with my little guy...clusterfeeding, slow weight gain, etc....this is all normal! Breastfeeding can be tough, especially when you can tell how much your child is getting! It WILL get better though. It's frustrating but stick with it!

Brook - posted on 10/01/2009

We are living in a formula society, that's for sure. In the beginning, my daughter was round the clock nursing and it is exhausting and frustrating if she's getting "enough" but SHE IS. It is the best thing for her and for you as well. It helps bring your hormones back in control plus you will lose your baby weight easier..after 2 1/2 yrs I lost the 35 lbs I gained plus another 25. Doctors unfortnately, the ones I've encountered don't have much support about nursing. They do base their size to formula fed babies and toddlers. My breast fed baby now toddler - weighs 39 lbs and is over 3 ft tall and that's the power of breast milk. Keep up the good work; always honor your "motherly intutition" about your little one because it will make your baby strong, happy, secure and very smart.

Samantha - posted on 10/01/2009

you could increase milk supply with "nursing tea" available from Weleda in most health food stores. Make sure she is eating not just using you as a soother (I had a "soother" sucker) Listen for swallowing sounds, if she stops swallowing she is only soothing herself, take her off or you'll be in a LOT of pain soon. Don't be afraid to give her a soother if that is the case...I gave all three of my kids a soother and it never affected breastfeeding. The other thing you could try...is just supplement with formula it doesn't have to be all or nothing I give my youngest ( 4 months now) 1 bottle every night, just before bed and it gives me a little extra sleep.

Jessica - posted on 10/01/2009

I think you need a new doctor. Seriously. She gained nearly an ounce a day, that's awesome! Babies that young need to suckle. It's a comfort thing. Your friend doesn't sound very much like a friend at all. The only thing wrong, is everyone around you making you feel like less of a mom!



Try buying a sling (mayawrap.com or peainthepod.com) and see if that helps. The hell with the bottle-pushers, hooray for boobies!

Summer - posted on 10/01/2009

nothing to worry about, mine did/does the same thing, i sware she is a bottomless pit! but its normal... she is either growing, getting your supply up... or just a slow eatter and thats normal till they totaly get that hang of it at about 3 month... then they speed up and its all good, I sware all I do if feed.... i feel like a non stop gas pump.... but everything id ok with you and your little girl.... every one is trying to push formula, uz " breast feeding is archaic, and not PC.... screw that!!! its perfectly normal... its how we were intended to feed our children!!! if society doesnt like it... BITE ME !!! ( sorry here I go on a rant....) I'll stop now.... what you are going through is perfectly normal for 3 weeks old...



if you want detailed stories of LONG feeding times or LOTS of feedings, then Email me I got LOTS !!!! my little one eats roughly every hour or so... and will eat ANYTIME she is given the chance.... she is 4 and 1/2 months old and still wakes up every 2 hours to "top off"

Georgia - posted on 10/01/2009

Lisa, hang in there. The first couple months of breastfeeding is hard. You have to get into a rhythm with your daughter. It'll come and one day you'll say to yourself, "wow, I've GOT this! It's easy!" Honestly, it will happen.

Those charts are nasty to those who breastfeed. As long as baby is gaining weight, has enough wet nappies a day and (most importantly) is happy and content, then she's just fine. My GP has said that babies are supposed to roughly double their weight in the first 6 months, so small gains here and there are not a problem. Think about it, if your daughter has gained a pound in a month, in 6 months she'll have doubled her weight. Normal.

I was the same with my firstborn. Constantly wondering if he was getting enough, if I was doing it right, etc. As for feeding all day... my husband would go to work in the morning and I'd be sitting in an easy chair feeding the baby. When he came home at night (he used to work up to 12 hrs a day), I'd be sitting in the same chair feeding the baby. He would ask, "So what have you been up to today?" and I'd look at him and say, "This!" I felt as though I spent all my time sitting in that darn chair and I think my husband thought I sat there all day too. Then one day when the baby was about 6 weeks old, my husband asked his usual question and I said, "I went shopping this afternoon!!" It all just clicked.

We also co-sleep with our babies. I wouldn't have it any other way, because I find it easier for the baby to feed without having to fully wake me. I get heaps more sleep that way.

You may be feeding more than she wants, but that's not a problem either. Once you learn your daughters cues, you'll know hunger from tired, gassy, etc. As long as you're burping after every feed, she shouldn't have too much trouble with gassiness.

Oh hey, the Dunstan baby language is great for learning cues. It really does work, and will give you something to learn to help you feel a bit more empowered. 5 different cries for different things. You may be trying to feed when she's not actually hungry, but is crying for some other reason... but since babies get comfort from the boob, she'll take it if offered. Not that that's a bad thing, far from it, but knowing these cries can help you get a handle on things.

Good luck! You're doing a fantastic job. Hang in there.

Ada - posted on 09/30/2009

It is completely normal. They need all they can eat at that stage.
My daughter is 7 months
& to this very day i am still breastfeeding my baby and she will be on my breast for about an hour or two.

Jessica - posted on 09/30/2009

Just keep at it. My son was 4 lbs 14oz at birth...quite a bit smaller than your daughter, he's 12 1/2 months now & still nursing. He nursed all the time & for long periods of time, he still does, just longer intervals between feedings now. He's just a slow eater, maybe my flow was slow, I'm not sure. Breastfeeding is the best way to go about it, don't switch to formula. I never had a problem w/ my ped, he only told me to up my protein & fat intake, b/c my little guy is still petite, he's about 16 lbs now. He's just a lean baby, some are little tanks & others (like mine) aren't.