5 month old getting upset on the breast

[1stbaby]

I have been breast feeding for 5 months. At the beginning I had a couple of weeks of problem getting the supply going etc but all has been well since then. Just the last few days I have noticed that he is getting upset after a feed as if he hasn't had enough. I have introduced baby cereal and by day 3 he was having 3 teaspoons of that. He gobbles up the cereal so he is definitely hungry. Sometimes when he is feeding, he is getting angry. I just wondered if my supply is going down. I think I"m resting enough. I eat a vegetarian diet mainly but make sure I get lots of dairy products and beans etc. Does anyone have any advice? I was tempted to give him some formula last night as he seemed hungry. He woke twice in the night for feeds too and he used to only wake once.

[kadownie]

Introducing formula will definately affect your supply. Maybe he's just hungary and is building up your supply- so maybe feeling frustrated when he finishes a boob and is wanting more??? It's so confusing isn't it. Do you breastfeed him first before you feed him food? Breastmilk is still the most important thing for him, the food is more experimental and getting used to it.

You could try offering him some extra feeds to build up your supply. Maybe give the Australian Breastfeeding Association a call- you don't have to be a member to call them and they are always happy to help.

Hope it settles down for you soon

[sueb31]

Hi, my baby is 5 months 1 week (and counting till we get to 6 months for solids!!). He has been similar lately, often feeding twice off each side, which is unusual for him. He has always been a good feeder butstill seems hungry at the end of the feed so I have put him back on for more. It always feels like I am empty, but he seems to sqeeze a bit more out and I figure he will build up the supply that way. He has been doing that for the past week but is settling down again now. I was all ready to start him on solids but will hold off now as he is settled again. I ended up thinking anyway, even if I started him on solids, a few spoons of food isn't going to make that much difference and I would still need to build the milk up anyway.

So maybe it is an early growth spurt and feeding more often or for longer for a few days will help??

Let us know!!

Sue

[Funkychicken]

I found my 5mth old doing this a bit too. We had a few supply/weight issues a month ago and as it turned out, I got my period back. I was told that often the hormonal changes associated with ovulation can change the taste of the milk. We are completely back on track but I have noticed my bub getting a bit cranky again and I am due for my period again in about a week.
Also I find at this age they are really starting to use their hands/arms more and I know my bub likes to push and pull at my boob while he is feeding-especially when he starts feeding. *Note to self*- Must remember to trim his nails!:rolleyes:

[1stbaby]

Thanks guys. I'll keep at it. I have also been going out abit and leaving him with my mother in law so maybe he is not getting the feeds when he wants them. But otherwise he seems really happy and alert.
I am feeding him his solids after he's had a breast feed. He's only having about 3 teaspoons of cereal at the moment.

I haven't got my period yet and was wondering when I was going to get it....maybe thats what's happening.

[red crayon]

Hi 1stbaby,

I remember my son getting wriggly and restless at about 5 months. He was easily distracted and didn't want to sit still. It definitely took a lot of patience to keep breastfeeding until he'd had enough. Sometimes I'd give him a break and then resume breastfeeding. I remember discussing this issue on bubhub and a lot of people had the same issue around the 4 & 5 month mark. Keep doing what you are doing. We introduced solids a bit earlier than the recommended 6 months and it helped. Good luck.