Breastfeeding.. Is he frustrated?

niknak1208

I've nursed all of my kids. I've never had an issue with supply. This time I'm not so sure? Feeding has been going really well until a few days ago. He will be 4 weeks old Tuesday. He's started spitting up more and I really can't think of any big diet change that I've had. I'm not taking any new meds or vitamins or anything.

During the day, it's safe to say that he still feeds every 2 hours at the most. At night he might wake every two hours but sometimes he dream feeds a little and goes back to sleep so by morning I usually feel more full.

In the early evening hours.. Like maybe 6-9pm he seems to still cluster feed. He almost seems frustrated at the breast and I'm not sure if maybe it's gas or if he's not getting enough. He gets super fidgety and fusses while feeding. If he detached from me.. He's immediately and frantically searching for my nipple.

He gained just fine at his first drs visit. He follows up this week. He seems like he's chubbing up. But I would say there's a noticeable difference in the fullness I've felt with my previous two kids compared to now. So I've googled and I'm already keeping a beverage close and switching sides during a feed. He usually feeds about 10 min per side.

I'm concerned about supply. Should I just see how his weight gain is at his next visit? If he's gaining than he's obviously getting enough right?

marijaa333

Yes, if he's gaining and has enough dirty diapers, he's doing fine.

Mine is a frustrated, inefficient eater. He does well in the morning but as the day progresses he starts to freak out more and more at the breast. Yesterday around 7:30pm he was screaming bloody murder after the first 20 minutes even though he was still hungry. I had to rock him to calm down and then feed him breast milk from a bottle. Can't really say what's behind it... I pump around 30-33oz per day when I don't nurse, so I don't think it's a supply issue.  

Can you see a lactation consultant?

niknak1208

He's definitely having dirty diapers. He doesn't poo after every feed like he did before but he's still pooping at least twice a day. He has wet diapers all the time.

I'll be curious to see what his weight gain has been. He looks like he's plumping up to me. My mom mentioned he looked plumper too.

I just don't understand why he's seeming so irritated at the breast. I mean he visibly gets irritated. He's like super fidgety and cries and seems mad.

I'm nursing right now and he seems fine. Although I did feed him at 8am. He still doesn't go very long between feeds.

mindaa

I had observed similar behavior in DS (and lack of fullness) before we started supplementing, which has eased it. But he had had slow weight gain from week one, and yes both my ped and LC both use weight gain as primary indicator, like you said. Could you call the office and ask, since you're concerned?

You could maybe have them check for tongue tie. DS has minor tongue tie, so his latch is fine but LC observed that he is inefficient - taking two sucks before each swallow, which could be frustrating him. I think I'm going to go have that snipped this week and see if it helps.

marijaa333

niknak1208 said:

He's like super fidgety and cries and seems mad. 

My guess is he's overtired/overly hungry. Mine does this a lot too, and that's usually the reason. Keep nursing on demand.

mattandlora

My first one acted like that, all the time. He was the "excited inefficient" feeding personality. In short, he'd get so worked up that he couldn't latch, which would frustrate him even more. He wanted his milk, and he wanted it now, letdown response be damned. He's been at the 75th-90th percentile for weight since his 2 week visit. I bet your supply is fine and LO is the same nursing personality type as my first one

niknak1208

Maybe that's it. Because I'll even try expressing my hand thinking Hmm maybe nothing is coming out for him but I seem to be able to express. I'm going to call and schedule his follow up this week so hopefully his weight gain will be on track.

mattandlora

@niknak1208 - does this description sound familiar? It described DS perfectly for me.https://www.the-essential-infant-resource-for-moms.com/Newborn-Nursing.html#excite