A question about BF

[melbryan]

My DS2 is 5 weeks and is draining me within 25min ( both sides) and not settling after a feed. He has been unsettled and I think it's wind, but now I am thinking he is not full enough. As when he is stuffed (with milk), (this happened when he was 1-3 weeks old), the wind didn't bother him as much. He is not soundly sleeping, and is waking and screaming in pain and kicking his legs within an 1 hour after a feed, and then I think he is hungry again. I have been giving colic relief but it doesn't seem to be making much difference.
He is not giving me enough time to build up supplies feeding every 2 1/2 hrs. During the night he may go 4 hrs and I then have fuller breasts I can feel it and he sleeps alot better.
I know they make as much milk as the baby needs but I can't hear any milk coming out and he is sucking like crazy, I am being drained very quickly. He is bringing up some half digested milk when I am burping him and sometimes he doesn't burp at all.

What should I do????

[Goosie22]

Hi,

Firstly, your baby is still very young and your milk supply is still being stimulated.

So you are right in saying your breasts will make enough milk and you dont need to worry about that. But you can manage the reaction of your baby, by feeding from one breast. This helps as the volume of milk is reduced but the calorie count (the satisfaction factor) is increased, due to the fore/hind milk ratio. Now the thing is your baby will probably feed for longer periods.

With myself when breastfeeding, I would only feed with one boob for a period of time (probably 3- 6hrs) and then swap, at night I would just feed from the same one (I sleep on the left side of the bed so my boys would get the right one all night).

Anyway give it a try and see if it works for you?

[Funkychicken]

I honestly think there is so much to be said for wind in babies. All three of mine have had painful wind and I have always had to keep them upright for quite some time after a feed to wait for the burps. If baby fell asleep feeding, I could almost guarantee they would wake within 10 mins with a scream. With my baby, I feed him whilst I sleep/doze and when he has finished, I pick him up and just gently rub his back for a few minutes and the burps just seem to drop out of him without much effort and he stays sleepy enough to lay back down and sleep contentedly.
All the best with your bub!

[draught]

A few things to reassure you:
- babies pattern of feeding and sleeping often changes quite a bit after the first three weeks - it doesn't necessarily mean that he is hungry
- you won't hear the milk going out - and it is hard to tell when your breast is drained - the "full feeling" isn't the only time they have a good supply. I have had empty feeling breasts that have fed my baby and filled her tummy for an 8 hour sleep - it is one of the wonders of breastfeeding! (Oh - and compared to feeding DD1 when it was a second baby they felt "empty" all the time but she grew steadily!)
- feeding every 2 1/2 hours is certainly building your supplies - a midwife told me that 20 minutes after a feed is the best time to express as your supply is back in


So - what to do:
- follow the advice of Goosie and Funkychicken.
- Keep an eye on babies nappies and weight gain to tell you if he is getting enough milk, rather than how full your breasts feel.
- try and increase the animal protein in your diet (meat, fish, etc) as this is meant to improve the quality of your milk and therefore better nourish baby. My lactation consultant recommended pate on toast or savoury mince for breakfast, a chicken breast for lunch and more meat for dinner - and on the days I did it I had a much more settled baby.


I hope some of our advice helps - and congratulations on doing such a great job with your little one!

[melbryan]

Thankyou so much,
After I wrote the post he decided to sleep for 6 hours although he woke after 4 and I put the dummy back in and he went to sleep.
I will try what you have suggested and hopefully it all works out for the best.

[our little treasures]

LOL

Don't worry this happens all the time!!

I would follow your bubby as you are and just keep checking his wieght and measurements.. Then you will know your doing good or if you need to see a lactation consultant

[lovemybub]

Hey there Melbryan - babies also go through growth spurts, and 5 weeks is definitely a growth spurt possibility. The constant feeding is a way of building up your milk supply to match his increased needs, so just hang in there. The more you feed, the more milk you will make. Isn't nature wonderful? :yelclap:

If you want to help the process along, you could try expressing milk inbetween feeds, even if it's just for five minutes, because every time you stimulate the breasts it helps with milk production.

Sending supply vibes your way... :wave:

[jarrahsmumma]

just a few bits

its only take 20mins for breast to "re-fill" even if they dont feel firm

if in doubt check with the ABA helpline..they know everthing :) http://www.breastfeeding.asn.au/products/counselling.asp