How to know when LO is done eating vs wants to suck?

firebelle26 · June 2014

My DD is 3 weeks old, I EP and give her my pumped BM (usually around an ounce and a half), then I give her formula. Sometimes she'll take up to 2 oz of formula on top of the BM. And sometimes she'll spit up when she's had too much. My question is, how do I know when she's really full? I know they'll keep eating even though they are full. When we pull the bottle out of her mouth, she'll either start crying immediately until we put it back, or she'll root with her hands (which she seems to do all the time). I get scared to put her down during the MOTN feeding and go back to sleep right away for fear she will spit up and choke. How do you ladies know when they are truly done?

ETA: she will also sometimes take a pacifier after the formula.

momo214 · June 2014

I EBF and I know that LO is done and just wanting to suck after she has initially let go from the breast she then acts hungry again and seems like she wants to eat again yet when I put her back on and she starts to suck and gets milk, she freaks out and let's go and cries. Repeat. I give her two shots to see if she wants to eat vs suck and if she clearly doesn't want milk then she gets a pacifier and all is well with the world.

usernewname · June 2014

When DS just sucks it's light and almost ticklish. When he's eating it's long pulls you see in his face.

DBonfante · June 2014

My LO will suck more loosely and not have a firm suck on the bottle nipple. It will also come in and out more than when he is is sucking to eat.

kstefko · June 2014

Also listen for the sound and moving of them swallowing. But I also agree that the sucking is different and quicker when they are just doing it for comfort.

tbiscuit18 · June 2014

DS will do the short, quick sucks and if I watch him he's usually smiling in between. The other thing I noticed is that his poop is green when he comfort sucks since he's not after the hind milk.

Kris2011RN · June 2014

florassecret said:
When DS just sucks it's light and almost ticklish. When he's eating it's long pulls you see in his face.

This is for us as well. I don't know how you can tell when you are bottle feeding though.

cnbean · June 2014

We bottle feed here and the way I can tell is like PP have said, long deep pulls vs. short sucking motions. Also when he is really done he will push the nipple out of his mouth.