Odd (to me) way LO BF- Confused

Jillian080389

My LO is always eager to BF when we first start, he is sucking and swallowing and his eyes are wide open. Although shortly after starting his eyes are shut or half open, and he is starting and stopping. The sucking and swallowing slows way down although if I try to break the seal and take him off he fusses. ALSO, when he IS done he never lets go or gives any sign. At the hospital they told me to keep "waking" him, ex- rub his head, ears, cheeks, take off layers of clothing, but this only seems to work for a second. So its constantly trial and error taking him off putting him on to see if he is satisfied.

So my first question is how do I get him to keep eating the entire time? Second question, how do I get him to learn to let go of the nipple on his own to show me he is satisfied?

Serena52308

I"m definitely not an expert, but looks like your LO is still pretty little and that's just what they do.  When Ryan was a baby she'd start off awake and then close her eyes like she was just savoring every minute...such a cute face.  The sucking would slow down, but not stop completely.  SOmetimes they just take a short break.  Our LC said all the tricks you mentioned above, but the only thing that worked for waking Ryan was to strip her down to her diaper and tickle her feet.

As far as staying on after they're done eating, pretty sure that's normal too for your LO's age.  THey still have an urge to suck after they're done eating, so a lot of times Ryan would just hang out.  She rarely does it anymore--I guess they learn when they're hungry.  She still does that from time to time, but now she'll take a paci.  When I sense that she's done eating and just kind of hanging out, I'll sometimes pull her off gently and put the pacifier in her mouth. If she spits it out and fusses, I figure she's still hungry and she goes back on the boob.

AimeeL85

Serena52308:

I"m definitely not an expert, but looks like your LO is still pretty little and that's just what they do.  When Ryan was a baby she'd start off awake and then close her eyes like she was just savoring every minute...such a cute face.  The sucking would slow down, but not stop completely.  SOmetimes they just take a short break.  Our LC said all the tricks you mentioned above, but the only thing that worked for waking Ryan was to strip her down to her diaper and tickle her feet.

As far as staying on after they're done eating, pretty sure that's normal too for your LO's age.  THey still have an urge to suck after they're done eating, so a lot of times Ryan would just hang out.  She rarely does it anymore--I guess they learn when they're hungry.  She still does that from time to time, but now she'll take a paci.  When I sense that she's done eating and just kind of hanging out, I'll sometimes pull her off gently and put the pacifier in her mouth. If she spits it out and fusses, I figure she's still hungry and she goes back on the boob.

Ditto all of this; I think it's very normal for that age. I was never sure when DS was done, so it was a lot of trial and error and I would offer it to him constantly because I'd never be sure.  Their need to suck as newborns is very strong.

P.S. Serena - my DS's name is Ryan but I LOVE that name for a girl, too!