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Baby feeds and is not satisfied

Cookiecake7Cookiecake7 member
in Breastfeeding

This is my first time posting, but I love reading everyone else's posts and have found them very helpful. Hopefully someone will have an idea for me!

 

My daughter was born 4 weeks early on August 1. We started trying to breastfeed right away and she did a fairly good job. However, on the third the doctor discovered she was in the 95% for her billirubin levels and she had to go to the NICU for about 12 hours. Along with using the billiblanket for about 3 days the doctor also recommended I supplement with as much formula as possible to help her pass the excess red blood cells. 

 Her jaundice has now passed and I'm trying to wean her back to only my breast. The problem is, she will eat at my breasts for an hour or more and then 10 minutes later she will be crying and eat at least 20ml of expressed milk. I always pump after I feed her so for the most part she is off of formula. However, I would really like to be able to take her off bottles entirely and stop pumping as well. Does anyone have any experience with this. She seems awake during most of the feedings and if sucking. I feel like this might be more of a problem than just a growth spurt. I'd appreciate any ideas!! 

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Re: Baby feeds and is not satisfied

  • shotzieshotzie member
    The best thing to do is nurse, nurse, nurse.  If she seems hungry again, stick her back on the boob.  Since she's a preemie, she's probably still gaining her strength for nursing and isn't as efficient yet as a full term baby.  But even full term babies nurse constantly in the beginning.  They have tiny stomachs and breastmilk is easily digested, so they nurse frequently.  Nursing frequently is also what builds your supply.  She may also be wanting to nurse just for comfort.  You can offer her your pinky to suck on, but if she's not happy with that, then you know she's really hungry. 
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  • rosiemommarosiemomma member

    A baby that new nurses for so much more than nourishment, even a full baby will take a bottle and still want to nurse at the breast.

    here is a great read:

    https://www.facebook.com/note.php?note_id=140594519332212&id=134844053221572

    https://www.kellymom.com/bf/normal/frequent-nursing.html

    https://www.kellymom.com/bf/normal/newborn-nursing.html 


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  • thyr4thyr4

    I agree with the other posts- nurse nurse nurse. Its only been a week and if you had to give her formula for a short time, your body and her body are still getting in sync. Allowing her to nurse will also help your milk supply, while pumping works her nursing is the most effective. I felt like the first month of so all my son did was nurse (much to my dismay and pain). If you are feeling any pain try a different latch and try the Ameda Gel pads. The gel pads saved breastfeeding for my son. Give it time- its just been a week- if you're up for it maybe check out a Le Leche League meeting or talk to a lactation consultant. 

    Good Luck (it really does get easier with time) :) 

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  • coey03coey03 member
    It could be normal cluster feeding but my LO had a posterior tongue tie and could not feed efficiently. Only an LC caught it. Maybe have it looked at and just keep nursing on demand in the mean time.
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