evening BF troubles

arob2009 · November 2009

Tonight was the 3rd time I have been having trouble BFing during my evening feeding (although not consecutive). At first I thought DS was having "nipple confusion" or preference for the bottle nipple. But, I don't think that's it. I read in "What to Expect the 1st Year" about this same issue which I am thinking the book accurately diagnosed as a frustration in baby of having less milk in the evening time. So, we end up giving him a bottle of BM if he gets frustrated nursing in the evening. Since I pump in the AM, I have some extra milk, but I am worried to start doing this too often. Has anyone else had a problem like this? If so, what did you do?? Thanks!

Tonya_G · November 2009

I think that it sounds like you've found a solution to the problem, even if it's not ideal. I'd still have him nurse at night until he's finished, and if he still is hungry, then offer the bottle. Maybe you could pump a little at night after he's done to try to increase your supply as well?

desilynn@csufresno.edu · November 2009

I have the same issue with DD (5 wks old) & i do the same thing nurse till she gets too frustrated then give in & do a bottle, ive been eating lactation cookies & it seems to help. (if you dont have the recipe google lactation cookies, they are pretty much oatmeal choco. chip cookies with flax seed meal & brewers yeast added)

Knitty · November 2009

It sounds like classic cluster feeding behaviour.

https://www.kellymom.com/babyconcerns/fussy-evening.html

Cluster feeding, also called bunch feeding, is when babies space feeding closer together at certain times of the day and go longer between feedings at other times. This is very common, and often occurs in the evenings. It's often -but not always- followed by a longer sleep period than usual: baby may be "tanking up" before a long sleep. For example, your baby may nurse every hour (or even constantly) between 6 and 10 PM, then have a longish stretch of sleep at night - baby may even sleep all night.
Cluster feeding often coincides with your baby's fussy time. Baby will nurse a few minutes, pull off, fuss/cry, nurse a few minutes, pull off, fuss/cry... on and on... for hours. This can be VERY frustrating, and mom starts wondering if baby is getting enough milk, if something she is eating is bothering baby, if EVERYTHING she is doing is bothering baby... It can really ruin your confidence, particularly if there is someone else around asking the same questions (your mother, your husband, your mother-in-law).
This behavior is NORMAL! It has nothing to do with your breastmilk or your mothering. If baby is happy the rest of the day, and baby doesn't seem to be in pain (as with colic) during the fussy time - just keep trying to soothe your baby and don't beat yourself up about the cause. Let baby nurse as long and as often as he will. Recruit dad (or another helper) to bring you food/drink and fetch things (book/remote/phone/etc.) while you are nursing and holding baby.
Does this mean that baby needs more milk than I can provide?
No. Don't give baby a bottle -- supplementation will only tell your body that you need LESS milk at this time, and that will not help matters. Also, keep in mind that formula fed babies experience fussy periods in the evening, too -- fussy evenings are common for all young babies, no matter how they are fed.