I nurse and my baby never seems satisfied

Kristy - posted on 07/02/2010

I switched to formula because of the same reason and also my daughter was losing too much weight

Corinne - posted on 07/02/2010

Hey honey. I know it's hard but the more you feed her , the more milk you will produce. Sounds like she's working up to a growth spurt, and things will settle again once she's through it. Does the 2yr old still have a nap? If so, could you put her down before the long feed in the afternoon so she's not really missing anything? It's always difficult, but remember "this too shall pass" it's not going to last forever, and things will get easier. Hang in there. :) x

Shelagh - posted on 07/02/2010

I wonder if she's really hungry, or just bored? Some babies find the breast comforting (and why wouldn't they?), and want to suck, not because they're hungry but more like a dummy. I would feed her for a 'reasonable' length of time (certainly not as long as an hour), then take her off the breast, and if she cries again within a short period of time, try playing - tickles, songs, chat, cuddles, the usual stuff. It worked with my son, who breastfed successfully for 8 months. Good luck.

Nicole - posted on 07/01/2010

if it was me i would stop it now before it became a habit,it may be a growth spurt but she doesnt need to be on there that long and that often.most mothers will arc up at this but i personally would give formula you can do both im NOT telling you to im simply saying that is what i did.im not a fan of breast is best lol.also my son was 6 weeks old when i started giving him a table spoon of custerd at night it worked great,but again im not telling you to do this just exspressing how i dealt with what your going through.it also sounds like shes just comfort feeding maybe just find another way to comfort her good luck chick.

Kristen - posted on 07/01/2010

Thank you for all the information It really helps to know that she may just need to be comforted. I have tried many of your suggestions and yes she is a little bit lazy at nursing so I have been tapping her feet and undressing her also touching her with a damp cloth.

Sapphire - posted on 06/29/2010

While extreme pro-BFing advocates will frown upon supplementing with formula, I have to honestly say that is the only thing that worked best for me & my son. He was small at birth to begin with and I simply did not make much breastmilk. All the natural supplements, water, and weekly visits to the lactation specialist didn't make my body produce more milk. I began to resent nursing so much because nothing I tried seemed to satisfy my son. Therefore, formula was the best thing to help nourish my son. As a mother, you and only you need to consider what is best for you & your baby. A happy mom means a happy baby. I struggled to nurse for 9 months, and if I reflect back on that time frame, they were not all happy moments. If that means supplementing with formula, then there is nothing to be ashamed about. If it means struggling through the growth spurts, understand that it can be overwhelming, challenging, and to the point of breaking down. Surround yourself with a positive support system of friends and relatives who will help you, not frown upon you, in whatever mothering decision you make. All the best to you!

Minnie - posted on 06/29/2010

I would caution against switching sides when baby slows her sucking, as this can contribute to a foremilk/hindmilk imbalance. The first breast should be finished before baby is brought to the second.

Breast compression can help a baby begin sucking more actively: cup your breast in a c hold well back from the aereola and apply pressure to increase milk flow. Keep up the pressure as long as baby is sucking actively. Release the pressure when baby rests to let the ducts fill again. Keep baby on the first breast until she comes off herself. You can then offer the second.

Tara - posted on 06/29/2010

growth spurt? Babies tend to follow one of two patterns of growth spurts, at 4 weeks, 6 weeks and 8 weeks or at 3 weeks 5 weeks and 7 weeks.
Your baby needs your breast whether it's for milk or for comfort. She is telling you that she needs comfort. Get a baby sling, nurse her on the go if you must, but most babies will get all the comfort they need from being in a sling when they are fussy. She can nurse when she feels the need and you can have both hands free to tend to your other child.
If she is a lazy nurser staying at the breast but suckling randomly, try to switch sides when you notice she is slowing her suck. You should be able to hear her swallow after filling her mouth with milk, this should happen often while nursing, not constant but often, if it's not try taking some of her clothes off and switch from one side to the other.
I wouldn't give her any supplemental formula, it will only mess with your own supply.
Two things to take to increase your supply if you think it's low.
Fenugreek and Milk Thistle, both available at any drug store in the vitamin supplement aisle, will not harm you or baby but will increase your supply.
Hope this helps, stick with it and you will reap the many benefits.
:)Tara

Sarah - posted on 06/29/2010

Please don't try and make her wait longer for feeds. Breastfeeding works on a supply and demand basis, the more you feed the more you'll make. Six weeks is a classic age for a growth spurt.

Also is it very hot where you live? She may be thirsty and so needs to feed more frequently. (Please note, she doesn't need to drink any water, your milk is enough.)

As far as your toddler goes, could you have her sitting next to you and share a book or similar activity with her?

Best wishes and well done so far.

Gwen - posted on 06/29/2010

Growth spurt. She will nurse as often as she can to increase your supply. Don't supplement with formula. The more frequently you let her nurse, the sooner your body will adjust to the increased demand. At 6 weeks old, she should be allowed to eat whenever she's hungry. It's hard, but she will eventually outgrow this.

Amy - posted on 06/28/2010

I have a 3 month old and a 4 year old so in some sense I understand what you're going through. Someone suggested it offer her a pacifier because it maybe her instinct to just suck. My daughter had that and found the pacifier to help keep her happy for awhile. I also supplemented with formula at night I would take feeding and then my husband would do the next feeding so I could get some sleep. I still supplement usually one feeding a day when I'm out with my 4 year old so I can take him places and not keep him locked up all day. I never had a problem with nipple confusion and never had a problem with my daughter only wanting a bottle, but again it was only 1 bottle a day so that my supply was not effected.

Minnie - posted on 06/28/2010

How are her diapers? Is she making at least 6 good wet ones a day, and clear non-smelly urine? Is she pooing? Is she gaining weight?



If she's gaining weight and isn't dehydrated she's fine.



The first few weeks are a time of very frequent nursing. This helps establish your milk supply.



Also remember- nursing is not just about nutrition. Non-nutritive nursing is a big comfort to your baby- it reestablishes equilibrium, an it also ensures a steady flow of immune factors and ensures good milk production by maintaining high prolactin levels.



Many mothers find that learning to nurse in a soft baby carrier like a wrap, sling, mei tai, or Ergo helps a lot- you would have two free hands to tend to your toddler.



Like someone else mentioned, pumping is no indication of your supply. Make sure baby has a good latch (lips flanged out, tongue is down, baby is brought quickly to breast chin-first with ears, shoulder and hips in line) and that you nurse your baby when she shows early cues of wanting to nurse.

Emilie - posted on 06/28/2010

My sister inlaw went through this, when her son was first born he was nursing all the time. The doctors told her that he was gaining too much weight and she needed to not nurse him so much, I think he was just using her as a pacifier, she started giving him a pacifier and it helped him not to nurse so much. I guess he was just having a strong urge to suck and that is what he needed.

Brandy - posted on 06/28/2010

Oh and pumping is no indication of supply. My breasts don't let down more than an ounce for the pump but I managed to exclusively nurse my first for 6 months then continue to nurse for 3 months after starting solids and have been nursing my son for 5 1/2 months and he is huge for his age. It's sad how many people think they have to quit because they simply haven't been properly informed of all these little things.

Brandy - posted on 06/28/2010

She is probably cluster feeding which is what babies do when their stomachs are getting bigger or they are having a growth spurt and need you to start producing more. The more you nurse, the more you make and the sooner the cluster feeding will stop aso don't make her wait and I wouldn't worry about supplementing either. She's not starving, she's just following her instincts and trying to work with your body to get what she needs. Alot of moms quit breastfeeding when the cluster feedings start because they can be confusing. You should join the "breastfeeding moms" group on here and ask you nursing questions there because you will likely get more positive and informative responses. You're doing great, keep it up. I have a 2 year old and a nursing baby too and I found when he was little, getting her to bring over a book and sit beside me on the couch during those long feedings really helped and she will understand soon enough that baby can't wait when she gets hungry.

Alisha - posted on 06/28/2010

have you pumped at all? pumpin will a loow you to see how much ur making. I wasn't able to breastfeed my youngest as i was only making 2 oz off both breast. check to see if the softspot is sunkin in as that is a sign of being dehydrated (should be soft but not sunkin in, ,maybe a lil bit not nothing major)