Breastfeeding: Is your milk drying up?
My four-month-old son has nursed very well, but has never nursed for that seven minutes per side. He is a healthy 18 pounds so I am assuming he is getting enough to eat. He nurses approximately every three hours and can sleep 9 to 10 hours at night. My problem now is that I feel my supply has diminished quite a bit. I find that he is quite cranky from 4pm to 8pm and I end up trying to nurse him practically every hour during that time period. Both he and I get quite frustrated and I can tell that my milk is not letting down. Finally I end up giving him a bottle and he drinks at least seven ounces and falls asleep. What should I do?
Question:Debbi Donovan
Debbi Donovan is a Board Certified Lactation Consultant, as well as a retired La Leche League Leader. For more than a decade, Debbi... Read more
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If your baby is healthy and growing well, and if his output is good, you can feel comfortable that your baby is getting enough milk. (At around three to four months of age, a baby's average weight gain slows to three to five ounces per week. Growth in length averages one inch per month, with increases in head circumference about one half inch per month. A baby over six weeks of age should be wetting five to six diapers daily and having regular substantial bowel movements.)
There are several things that could be going on:
- Your baby may be experiencing a growth spurt. It takes about three days of more frequent nursing to increase your supply.
- Pacifier use can cause changes in feeding patterns that diminish your milk supply. If you feel this is the case, allow your baby to meet his sucking needs at your breast.
- Your baby may be fussy due to oversupply. The first step in helping to correct this and make your baby more comfortable and less fussy at the breast is to change his pattern of feeding. Nurse from only one breast per three to four hour period. If your baby wants to nurse several times during that period, put him back to the same breast. Remember, your breasts produce milk as your baby nurses, so your baby will never be nursing on an empty breast. (The mention of your baby feeding in seven minutes since the start of nursing and his good weight gain make oversupply a possibility.
Many babies will drink what is offered to them. This does not necessarily indicate a low milk supply. If you are still supplementing one or more times a day, after reading this, I would recommend you evaluate your milk supply prior to supplementation. If you think it was probably adequate, gradually begin to decrease supplementation. Decrease supplementation by no more than two ounces every four days, monitoring your baby's output and taking him for weekly weight checks. (Most pediatric offices don't charge for weight checks.)
Nurse your baby more frequently during the day. That may help to decrease some of these evening feeds. Breastmilk digests in about one and a half to two hours, so it isn't unusual for your baby to be showing hunger signs (such as sucking) within this time period.
It is not unusual for babies to feed frequently at night. These nighttime feeds are very important in increasing your milk supply. Your baby may be getting a large portion of his nourishment in the evening. Babies of this age are very easily distracted during the day. Relax while your baby nurses. Set up a comfortable place to nurse, with everything you need within arms reach. Have something to drink and maybe snack on nearby, a magazine or book, remote control, etc. Take a nap when your baby sleeps. Bring your baby into bed and he can nurse while you get the rest you need. Working moms (inside and outside the home) need to get some rest in the evenings, and breastfeeding gives you a perfect excuse to sit down and put up your feet. Obviously, there are times when you will need to get things done around the house. Many babies love to be carried in a sling/pack while their moms or dads are busy. Your baby may be craving time in your arms. Babies love skin-to-skin contact, and they need to be held.
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