i don't know what to do!!

[HannahGraceee]

my milk doesn't seem to satisfy ava anymore what do i do?

 

[Panda_Ally]

How often you feeding hun?

 

[HannahGraceee]

it seems like all the time!! but give her an 8oz bottle of formula at night and some times she just refuses my breast till she has a bottle

 

[sam's mum]

I used to have weeks where I thought mine wasn't satisfying Sam any more too, because I just seemed to be feeding him all the time - he'd feed for hours and then want another feed not long after he'd finished one, and I didn't feel like I had enough left! After a few days it all settled down every time though, and he'd just been going through growth spurts so he needed more milk than before. The few days (maybe a week) of constant feeding signals to your body that you need to make a bit more, and after a few days she'll start getting more at each feed and it won't feel like she's feeding constantly x

 

[HannahGraceee]

but this has been going on for about a month now

 

[asacia]

Toby finished his latest growth spurt yesterday, it lasted about a week. He is a week older than your LO. He was feeding every 90 minutes during they day, and every 2 hours at night. He also fed non stop between 6pm and 10:30pm.

 

[asacia]

What size teat are you using?

 

[HannahGraceee]

number 2

 

[asacia]

Is she gaining weight well? Lots of wet and dirty nappies? Happy in herself?

 

[sam's mum]

How long does each feed last? If her weight gain and nappies are ok, she could be just sucking for comfort once she's taken enough milk - Sam used to do that too (it was useful if I needed to sit down for a bit as he'd quite happily just stay on there for a couple of hours )

There's a breastfeeding clinic at Frimley Park (can't remember what days it is but your HV should be able to tell you) that might be able to help more x

 

[HannahGraceee]

Is she gaining weight well? Lots of wet and dirty nappies? Happy in herself?

Yehh loads of wet and dirty nappies, and she is very happy in herself and putting on weight is that all that matters really? x

How long does each feed last? If her weight gain and nappies are ok, she could be just sucking for comfort once she's taken enough milk - Sam used to do that too (it was useful if I needed to sit down for a bit as he'd quite happily just stay on there for a couple of hours )

There's a breastfeeding clinic at Frimley Park (can't remember what days it is but your HV should be able to tell you) that might be able to help more x

She feeds for about 30-45 mins at a time

 

[sam's mum]

That sounds quite normal for her age (I think...I'm sure someone who knows more than me will read this thread soon ) - and Sam was still feeding every couple of hours all day until he was about 6 months (only during the day though...does she sleep well at night?). They do get more efficient at getting the milk out as they get older though, so the length of feeds should get better for you soon x

 

[Mervs Mum]

She'll never be fully satisfied with you alone while you are topping her up. If you want to EBF you cant top up. Topping up is totally fine - I have done it myself at times - and if you are happy to combine and it works for you then it's all good

 

[HannahGraceee]

but i dont understand why she pain out refuses to breast fed sometimes?

 

[Mervs Mum]

If you have been giving her regular bottles she's probably refusing until you give her another! They are clever you know! She knows she doesnt have to work as hard for a bottle and if she waits long enough she'll get what she wants.....and you thought that kind of thing started when they were much older eh?!

 

[HannahGraceee]

lol!! i orginally just wanted to giver her a bottle for her last feed, but when she screams for a bottle during the day it just makes me feel like i wanna cry and makes me feel like a horrible mum. i dont want to stop breastfeeding! i wish i could just start again!!

 

[Mervs Mum]

.
You just have to be strong and consistent. Only give her the bottles you want her to have. It's better to completely replace a feed than to top up after a BF.

 

[asacia]

Another idea would be to switch back to newborn teats. Its recommended to use them with breastfed babies, as they have to work a little harder than with the other teats.

 

[Mervs Mum]

^^^Good idea

 

[HannahGraceee]

The MAM ones say that number 2 is newborn