Not acting full

[@llli*mamaofemmalyn]

Hi everyone,

I am new to this site and it has been a big help. I have a question.... my 3 almost 4 month old never act full after eating. By that i mean, she eats for 30-45 mins and i need to take her off, she does not do it herself. I usually do it when she has slowed down or is very fussy and pulls because not much is coming out. But sometime she does in after less than five mins. I usually put her back on until she has had at least ten mins.

When i take her off she gets mad and cries. I am able to calm her down and she is happy for 1.5-3 hours depending. Is this normal?

I dont think its my supply... i pump out like 2.5-3 oz if i went 2 hours without pumping. Up to 5 oz in like 3.5-4 hours.

Any imput? advice?

[@llli*mommal]

As long as her weight gain is good, I'd say that what you describe is normal. Frustrating but normal. One possible explanation for the behavior is that your baby enjoys a nice long session of comfort nursing after she is done actively eating. Have you tried switching her from breast to breast and then back again when she exhibits this pattern? That might make her really fill up and release the breast just because she can't stand to hang out and nibble any longer. A pacifier might also help her let go of mama, if she'll take one. But a lot of babies won't- and why would they, when mama is so much nicer?

[@llli*mamaofemmalyn]

I have not had an easy time with BF. Well, when i had her i was in school (college) and all the stress/ pumping kept my supply low. Also my milk did not come in till day 7, so i starved her most of that time. Once in came in it was not much. Tried Fenugreek, blessed thisle, more milk and lactation tonic.... Some helped but not much. She also had clamp down reflex and chewed the heck out of me... and also thrush that no one could see or pick up on. I went to the LC like 5 times or more. We got that all figured out, thank goodness. She is in the 15% or so. has been on the low end after going from 7.6 to 6.11 on day three. The dc. and LC are not concerned. I have started feeding her around 1am before i go to bed because she would sleep till 5 or 6 if i didnt. I think that has helped with her weight.

Just today she was very frustrated that not much was coming out(she sucks but does not swallow) and comes of crying. She does take a pacifier. And i put her on both sides sometimes more than once. I just dont know if this is normal? Do most babies come off by themselves? I know she has a few times but thats when i am taking lactation tonic.

Thanks for reading

[@llli*mamaofemmalyn]

she is 4 months on 8/2 and she was 12.1lbs on monday

[@llli*codepink]

sounds normal to me. Have you heard of dr sears and his web site? www.askdrsears.com He has alot of advice for soothing babies! Sounds like you're doing your best. Some babies cry more then other people can understand. If you aren't worried more then that mommy doubt we all get you and your lo should be fine!

[@llli*mommal]

Some babies comes off the breast by themselves. My second did right from the beginning, but my first would have lived with her lips permanently fastened on a breast from birth till around 5 months.

[@llli*mek]

My 5-month old has only come off my breast by himself about 5 times. I always have to pry him off, because he wants to suck all the time. If I take him off and he crys, I stand up and walk around a few minutes to see if he's really still hungry, or if he's just upset that I took him away. He normally calms down fast and we go about our day. If he's still fussy, I'll continue nursing him.

I agree that your pumping output sounds good. I pump about 3-4 ounces every two hours (when I am pumping at work - so no nursing beforehand). Keep in mind that the pump does not get out the milk as efficiently as the baby, so that is not a good indication of your supply.

I wouldn't worry about it. Just watch the diaper output and be patient with her sucking desires.

[@llli*mamaofemmalyn]

Thanks ladies.....

Just was not sure if she is getting enough or just upset that i take her off. The thing is that she is fussy and yanking before i take her off. She is usually fine after i take her off so i think it is ok.

Thanks