Hey

Ive been feeding logan now for 6 weeks. At first was really difficult and i was finding it almost impossible to feed him constantly and look after my other son. Logan was feeding all the time and not giving my breast chance to fill up, so he was never getting a 'full' feed iykwim? He was just snacking all day long. So midwife suggested giving him a bottle of formula between feeds to give them chance fill up so he'd take a proper feed the next time. Kinda break the cycle of snacking.. it worked great and since week 2 he's been exclusively BF. Going 2-3 hours between feeds.

But ive had to give him a bottle last night and today, first time in 4 weeks Hes taking a full feed on me, both sides. Then hes screaming for more but when he latches on he pulls away crying like he either doesnt like it or theres nothing there for him and this just keeps happening.. like hes fighting with me.. he gets all frustrated rooting around for it then once hes on he pulls away immediately screaming, then goes for it again.. and so on

I really dont want to give up, i love BF'ing him. But hes not getting full off me and i know everytime i give him a bottle its going to affect my supply is there anything i can do?

Also, instead of getting that full feeling i used to have before a feed they now always feel empty (and smaller), he's still taking milk from them but they just dont feel the same, and have stopped leaking (unless hes feeding from one side, the other one then leaks). Is this just because my body is used to BF'ing now? Or am i not producing enough milk?

Thanks

xxx

Ana - sounds super frustrating chick.

can he get a good latch on your nipples? My LO sometimes can't feed and pulls away like you describe and I have to express a few mls off and it also seems to yank my nipple out more so he can latch better

If you think your supply is dwindling - could you try expressing even more frequently to up your supply(whilst supplementing babs with formula)

someone useful will be along soon - just wanted to send a

It sounds like a growth spurt hun, there's usually one around the 6 week mark. He's just building his supply up - don't supplement or your breasts won't get the signals they need to up the supply. It should only last a few days

Thanks Yeah could be a growth spurt. I didnt think about that. Ill give it a few days see how he goes. xx

Like Marley says.. prob a growth spurt! Shouldn't last long!!

Think its probably a growth spurt.... Noah was like that for 3 days during his 6 week GS xxx

Its almost certainly a growth spurt.. im pulling my hair out here!! hes been feeding constantly since 4pm, not been able put him down. I had to send Caeden to bed at 7pm i couldn't cope with them both screaming at me aswel as being stuck to the sofa!! Logan finally fell asleep at 8pm.. and has just woke up again for a feed im going to bed with him now, its driving me mad! He screaming like im starving him! poor thing LOL 3 days of this???

xx

Noah has been like this tonight, i've not had a wink of sleep. I had soem EBM in the fridge so after he'd finished on the boobs I gave him this and he only left 0.5 oz of it (was 3oz) and he's now fast asleep. Pity I cat get to sleep

Aw you poor thing! And WHAT IS YOUR MIDWIFE THINKING OF - suggesting a bottle of FF is about the worst advice she could possibly have given you! If often causes problems, and what you describe is absolutely normal for a baby whose been supplemented, as well as destroying baby's virgin gut! Terrible, terrible advice!

In terms of building your supply, the key of course is to get baby onto the breast as often as possible - it's frequency of nipple stimulation that counts, along with ensuring you empty the breast each time (it sounds like that's happening, though). Feeding really often will ensure that your milk supply enlarges.

In the mean time, you could consider a galactagogue http://www.breastfeeding.asn.au/bfinfo/galact.html - my favourites are oats, fennel and fenugreek - to help you through this hiccup. Another option would be breast compression at the end of the feed to trigger another let down http://www.drjacknewman.com/help/Breast-compression.asp

Taking baby to bed with you will help you to feed across the 24 hours, night feeds are especially important in building milk supply; your hormones are higher at night, and the fat content of your milk is also higher at night.

HTH

Melanie

I know its not usually good to advise this. But in this situation, it was the best advice i could have gotten. My midwife in an angel and she is so supportive in whatever decision you make. The day she told me that, i was actually asking her how i stop breastfeeding and what happens to my milk, how long does it take to go etc. I couldn't cope and was ready to give up. If she hadn't suggested giving that bottle or two of formula a day i wouldn't still be BF now. By supplementing him a little i managed to break the cycle of him snacking constantly so he started taking a full feed on me, once I'd had a chance for my breasts to fill properly.

My midwife isn't like most, instead of saying whats right or wrong she just gives the best advice on whatever decision you make. She told me if i wanted to give up breastfeeding it was fine as no point doing it if it makes you unhappy, luckily i didn't stop and I'm so glad. And when told her id started smoking again (which i know! Can cause reduced milk supply but these things happen) and all she said was "Ah well, not everyone is perfect!" and gave me a hug.

So in this case.. it was very good advice from my midwife

Thanks for those links though, i will have a look

xx