Still Hungry

ambular81

I have never posted on this board but feeling a little frustrated.

My LO just turned 6 weeks. I have been feeding on demand and pumping the side he doesn't eat on. I will pump anywhere from 1 oz - 3 oz on the side he doesn't eat on. I'm not complaining about that because I know it's good since I'm nursing full time however my frustration is I will nurse for an hour and he still is hungry? He is like this I feel a lot lately. I will feed him and he is never satisfied. I had to start supplementing with formula which I'm not so happy about.

Do you think he really isn't getting enough? What can I do to make sure he is satisfied?

jmjacquemin

Have you tried feeding him both sides for a single feeding? I was only able to pump one side/feed the other for the first feeding of the day.
You may also be in a growth spurt.

surpriseaddition

6 weeks is a classic (and really tough) growth spurt. Personally, I'd ditch the pumping and just feed both sides at every feeding right now. Your supply will automatically increase with more nursing. If you are trying to build a freezer stash for back to work, remember, you really only need the first day's milk (10-15oz depending on the length of your workday). Going forward, you'll be pumping the following day's amount while at work, and you get a lot more pumping when you aren't nursing. GL!

[Deleted User]

I agree with PP. I feed LO from both sides at every feeding since my milk isn't as plentiful as others.

ambular81

Thanks ladies! I will start feeding on both sides vs pumping the other and see how that goes.

@surpriseaddition‌ I didn't really think about having only enough for the first day. I was thinking I needed to get a freezer stash....thanks for that! I return to work in 2 weeks so was going to panic mode....

surpriseaddition

^ ^ The first 6 weeks are really hard to build your stash, since LOs demands are so high initially. But if you think about it, it doesn't make sense to give formula now just so you have milk frozen for later. Some women actually pump more at work than their LOs consume, and can actually add to the stash when working. I added to my stash by pumping MOTN for awhile when my LO began STTN. I would get 7 oz each night by doing that. As long as you have enough for the first day, you are good to go!

ambular81

Silly question? When should I pump if I'm feeding on both sides?

surpriseaddition

What you can do is build in an extra pump in between nursing sessions. Most moms get the most milk first thing in the morning. Use a double pump to pump both sides at the same time. If you keep doing it at the same time each day your body will begin to produce enough for a full feeding at that time. You may not get much the first few days, but it will increase.

ambular81

thank you everyone for the advice. so glad I can come on here and get help and tips. I'm still trying to figure this all out!

bkramer08

I was very worried about not producing enough when lo was born. So i.pumped twice a day after her feedings. Once in the morning and once at night. Never pumped a whole lot but enough to start a small freezer stash and increase my supply.