How do you know LO likes to nurse?
kristine618
member
This is probably a silly question, but how do you know your LO likes to nurse? I've heard people say that they wanted to wean their LO before a year, but their LO wouldn't let them or LO liked to nurse too much, or they had trouble dropping a feeding because of LO, or their LO loves the breast. When the baby cries out of hunger and wants to nurse, do they try to latch on or something or start putting their face into the mom's chest? Does this mean their LO won't take a bottle if mom is around? I just haven't experienced this, so I don't get it, but was wondering what people really mean by that. I've also heard people say their baby smells food from mom, so they can't go into the nursery in the night unless they are ready to nurse. How do they know??
I nursed DD exclusively for the first 4 months, but once she got really distractible at the breast I started to introduce more bottles to make sure she was getting enough food (she's only 2nd percentile on weight). Now she will only stay attached long enough for a full feed overnight and first thing in the morning. She gets one formula bottle at daycare and one BM bottle. In the evenings I now give her a bottle of formula because she just won't breastfeed (and as a result my supply is dwindling), and then I pump before bed. I will definitely fully wean before a year because she doesn't seem to like to breastfeed, and it's getting difficult to maintain all the pumping. She definitely prefers a big bottle, and because of her weight issues, I have just given in to this rather than push the nursing. Just curious!
Re: How do you know LO likes to nurse?
I agree, it's a comfort thing. If she's crabby, tired, etc nursing is the magic cure. Even when she's in a good mood, she often will nuzzle herself into my chest like she's trying to eat through my shirt. Also starting to grab my tank tops and trying to pull them down. Even if she has a bottle right before I get her from daycare, she wants to nurse first thing when we get home or she whines nonstop. It's a mommy and baby connection thing I think...
This. LO refused bottles, but can now drink from a cup with some help. She won't replace any feedings though. She also prefers to nurse before nap instead of when waking no matter how I've tried to change the routine. And when she's really upset or worked up nursing is instant calm.
That sounds frustrating! I also have OALD, and LO unlatches early in the feed then goes back on. I wanted to clarify that my LO seems to find comfort in nursing (like when sleepy or upset) but she doesn't comfort suck at all. At the end of the eating when her eyes close, she unlatches and lays her head on top of my boob. She doesn't take a paci, so that might be why she looks to nursing for comfort.