I just asked a question but I may have been misunderstood?

Question

The milk is *not* running out or running dry - its flowing slower - too slow for my baby who prefers the faster flow - hence he gets fretful.

* Bottle feeding (formula or expressed milk) won't help - he'll only get even more accustomed to faster flowing milk.

* I'm not going to give him formula

* its not a sleeping issue - its a milk flow (speed) issue.

* it *only* happens after his long afternoon sleep

Has anyone else had this problem who can advise me?

Answer 1

It's probably a growth spurt. They do become really fussy at the breast during those. Babies are also usually fussy in the evenings, and breastfed babies usually like to cluster feed all evening. It's not because the flow is slow, but because they tank up for a long nighttime sleep. Also I think they become a little overstimulated in the evening and so become more whingy. It usually peters out around 12 weeks or so. 6-8weeks is also the peak time for infant fussiness, and this will die down soon. My advice is not to try and space the feedings in the evening, just allow him to have as much as he wants. The fussiness will get better, give it another few weeks and see if it is still there. I bet it will be better!

My daughter was exactly like this until about 12 weeks. I just kept feeding her through the fussiness and it went away quite quickly (although I sympathise with you, it didn't feel like that at the time.) She is still breastfeeding at 13 months! HTH.

ETA: If he fusses on one side, just swap to the other, and keep swapping as needed. It won't harm your supply, in fact it's good as you are removing plenty of milk. Trust your body and your baby, they know what they're doing!

And a quick question, does he ask to feed when fussy in the evening?

Answer 2

similar problem myself but maybe not as bad but in my experience the warmer the room the faster my flow was so i used to have a hot pack on my breast as i fed and it worked. it was actually very soothing to me too. if it doesnt work right away bre patient, your body wil adapt, most babies like a slow flow hence why your milk comes slower but as you baby wil suck harder and get frustrated your body wil express the milk faster.

hope all goes wel, i know how hard it is to breast feed so wel done.x.x.x. i dont think you get enogh credit for breastfeeding through a struggle like this!!!!!

Answer 3

Has your son used a bottle before? Or why does he want a faster flow? Do you regularly feed him from bottle?

My son drank from a bottle for the 1st time  when he was around 3months & since i came back to work i pump & nurse. My son has gotten upset a couple of times because of the slow flow of my b*****s, but it happens rarely & i just hand express a bit into his mouth to keep him interested.

He usually gets back to normal after a day or two. I also pat his bum to keep him 'relaxed', it helps him.

Drop the bottle feedings completely & i'm sure he'll get used to nursing again.

There's really nothing you can do to make your milk come out 'faster'. Well, not that i know of.

Answer 4

Hi.

Long time ago now, but I remember when my son was about six weeks he started to protest and figet and refuse to latch on to the breast.

I had no idea why . He suddenly started crying more and even when I knew he was hungry he just wouldn´t take it or would seem to get distracted and break off and cry. Wouldn´t have a dummy either.

I don´t know if the milk was flowing slower or not. I think he was just starting to establish his personality, it seemed like aphase a lot of babies went through .I didn´t want to give him formula to top up either.

Anyway , how did we get round it?

Well, when it was time for a feed and he fidgeted or protested I started waving around a big yellow toy duck (we called him Roger) and make a noise.

He used to get so mesmerised by "Roger" flying backwards and forwards that he just latched on and fed calmly forgetting his complaints.

It was a pain making Roger fly back and forth , but we got through it in a few weeks and returned to normal.

If you feel like you have enough milk then you do. If he´s just crotchety then distraction may work.

It works wonders when they are older too.

Good luck.x

Answer 5

I think you are going to have to bite the bullet and either express and bottle feed that or go to formula.

Your b*****s will produce what they can and if this is not satisfying your son you are going to have to allow some flexibility for your son's (and for your) well being!

  

Answer 6

I answered it :) and actually, I do know exactly what you mean- it is not a supply issue, it  is a matter of getting it into little guy at the speed little guy wants it into him :)

I haveplenty of milk- but <- wants it flowing like a flooded river, I swear. As a matter of fact I am suspecting that may be part of the issue- there is no shortage, there is in fact a fantastic supply, and so when it ISN'T slowing like a river after a storm, they have no patience for it. Well, that's my suspicion from observing mine in what sounds like a nearly identical scenario.

Other little things that might help you guys- a glass of wine or beer- and no one isn't harmful :)  If the issue has to do with stress/fatigue at that time of day (which perhas slows you down, then creating the fuss/nurse/scream/fuss/nurse/scream cycle) it may help you relax enough to boost the flow.

try a bath or shower before that time, or anything that relaxes you.

But I would also try the herbs I mentioned earlier-  I don't have a supply issue so I don't take it all the time, but I've been taking them *only* in the morning, and it seems that we are now having an easier time in the late afternoon/early evening.

Answer 7

Stop expressing, have a warm bath and relax when he wakes up it will flow faster.

Answer 8

You mentioned in your first question that baby is 6 weeks old.  Perhaps he's going through a growth spurt.  That often makes them nurse more and get fretful at the breast.  My son did that at his 6 month growth spurt and I also thought it was because the milk wasn't coming fast enough.  Just keep putting him to the breast when he wants and hopefully it will pass in a few days.

Hang in there, it's probably just a phase!!