Never seeming satisfied?

EveryNameIWantIsTaken

I'm not sure if dd isn't an efficient eater or what the issue is.  She will nurse for hours on end and still seem hungry.  If I pump then give her a bottle, she's happy.  Yesterday all the sudden my supply seemed really low and after her nursing forever, me pumping and feeding her the small amount I got from that, she was still hungry and wouldn't go to sleep until I broke down and gave her a tiny amount of formula.  She only took an once of it, but was then happy and slept peacefully for a bit.

She had issues nursing and got it figured out Tuesday and she will eat from me now.  Since then, I have also continued to pump a few times a day, but my supply is so much lower than when I was primarily pumping and it seems there isn't enough milk.  Anyone have this issue before?  I plan on asking about it when I see a LC this week again, but just wondering in the mean time if anyone has experienced this?  Is she just inefficient?

shotzie

She may be going through her 2 week growth spurt. I remember nursing DD for hours straight when she was a newborn. I'd switch sides every 20 min until she was finally satisfied. The first 6 wks or so are really important for establishing your supply and newborns often "cluster feed" to build your supply. I know it's exhausting and frustrating feeling like LO is always hungry and not getting enough. She is also still learning how to nurse and she will get more efficient over time, but it takes a little while. Hang in there and nurse, nurse, nurse. That's the best thing you can do for your supply. Also, make sure you're well hydrated and getting enough calories. Eating oatmeal can help boost your supply too.

EveryNameIWantIsTaken

Yeah, I guess I get the whole cluster feeding thing and while I would love to do that as often as she likes, having a toddler who also needs my attention now that I am without help complicates things a ton.  It is literally impossible to be stuck on the couch nursing a newborn when you have a 2 year old that will retaliate and get into everything if he doesn't get attention.  We've tried nursing in the moby wrap, but I still need both hands since she isn't strong enough to support my breast yet so it still leaves me unable to do anything with ds.  Ugh.  Until last night things were finally going well.  So frustrating!

I don't really know what I'm looking for.  I don't think there is any magic answer and I hope we can find the balance that works for us soon.  I've tried so hard the past two weeks to make it work and not give up and sought help many times.  I just hate the feeling of being a failure that is unable to feed my child the most natural way possible.

shotzie

You are not a failure. You're doing your best and I'm sure it's really hard with a toddler to care for too. I'm going to be in the same situation in about a month and I often wonder how I'll make it work! I was going to suggest trying nursing in a wrap or sling (I'm hoping to do that). But I'm sure it's hard when LO is still so small. I would definitely continue to seek help from an LC or bf'ing support group. It's so crucial to have support when you're at this overwhelming, exhausting stage. You might post on the AP board to ask if there are certain wraps/slings that work better for bf'ing newborns. I hope things get easier quickly, I think it just takes time. But I know it's hard making it through each day waiting for it to get better! ((Hugs))