Advice needed

azaretsky

Ok, so I've heard enough times that in order to increase your supply, you should put your child to the breast often and the supply will adjust; the advice is not to supplement. Now, my question is - what are you supposed to do as your child screams and fusses while you don't have enough milk? So, I'm waiting for supply to increase and she's not getting enough to eat. This is turning into a cycle of her feeding every 1.5-2 hours, crying, falling asleep at the breast and then waking up wanting to each before I have enough milk for her... Any advice?

RDK24

Agree with PP -- with a baby so young it's totally normal to be feeding every 1.5-2 hours. When my DD was tiny, she'd have phases where she'd nurse every hour, even. (Don't worry, this doesn't last forever!) Also remember that all that crying/fussing doesn't necessarily mean hunger. I'd suggest reading The Happiest Baby on the Block when you're up late nursing. I found it really enlightening about why babies act the way they do from birth-12 weeks.

azaretsky

Thanks ladies - she's been eating every 3 hours, so i guess I've already "gotten used it that" and think that every 1.5-2 hours is odd You are right, that's completely normal. I suppose that I am more worried about my supply, since I did have supply issues with DS, and today, she does get frustrated at the breast, which makes me think that she's potentially not getting enough. 

She's definintely peeing and pooping as appropriate, so from that standpoint, maybe I'm just freaking out about nothing... Thanks everyone for your support.

milomia

I have the same issue-and I don't know how else but formula to calm a crying, fussy, hungry baby after nursing for 45min, and giving him 1oz pumped breast milk that I worked hard to pump. Putting the baby back on the breast just hasn't been the solution for me-he screams bloody murder after a few seconds of trying again. Very, very frustrating...

Peanutz21

agree with PP.  my LO sometimes nurses for an hour and in my head i'm thinking - there can't possibly be more milk in there but i read on kellymom that your milk is constantly being produced.  sometimes when i'm paranoid i will express a little just to know in my head there is something there and it makes me feel better. 

emmacake08

If you really are worried and just need some confirmation that baby is getting enough you can do a weighted feed with a LC. I have one of the scales (to borrow) while my twins were learning to BF and it's really helpful sometimes to see that they have gotten enough. I think that all the PPs are right that everything sounds great and normal.

azaretsky

Thanks ladies!