Suddenly DD wants more?

[friendlymamma]

DD is nearly 5 months old. I think she wants more milk, and I don't seem to have it. The first couple feedings of the day, she does fine, probably because my breasts are really full at the start of the day (dd is a champion sleeper at night - we're talking like 10 hours). But, as the afternoon and evening rolls around, she is crying a lot shortly after let down, like when there's not much more pouring into her mouth. It seems like frustration to me, and I don't know what to do about it. I have quite a stash of bm in the freezer, and DH suggested that he could give her a bottle in the evenings, but is that the answer? Does that just perpetuate the low milk supply in the evenings? What can I do to get her more milk? I'd rather not supplement unless I have to. fyi, I follow no special diet, just eat 'normal', maybe should drink more water. any thoughts, suggestions?

[birdie22]

There are lots of reasons this might be happening:

-Growth spurt: she's nursing continuously to create a supply increase; if this is the case then unnecessary bottles will only create trouble. I think this is the most likely scenario.

-Bottle preference: well, not really like newborn nipple confusion, but she wants the milk to keep flowing fast like it does out of a bottle (and probably does out of you in the morning). You can sometimes speed the milk flow with gentle breast compression after letdown. Make sure any bottles you use have the slowest flow nipple, and only use them when you have to.

-Cluster feeding: many babies are just grumpy and impatient in the evenings, even if they're not sleepy yet. They like to be attached constantly. Sometimes it's because they're teething, but sometimes it's just because. For us, a stroller walk would provide a nice break when I was so tired from the constant nursing.

-Maybe she doesn't want milk?: Sometimes babies get frustrated when they just want to suck but the milk keeps coming. It's more likely if she's teething or coming down with something. I know it's the opposite of what you said, but I just thought I would mention it.

-Hormones: I hate to even suggest it, but maybe af is coming back. It's very common to have a little dip in supply right before.

These are just a few common cases that jumped to mind. And it could be multiple things at the same time. Your point about drinking water is right on, especially if it's hot where you are. Also, make sure you're getting enough rest and eating right. It can't hurt, right?

I would bet that if you can ride it out for another few days, nursing whenever she wants, it will even out and things will get back to normal.

[friendlymamma]

Thank you so much for your response. I think the first scenario is right on. I do think it's a growth spurt. Last night, she woke up twice to nurse, which she hasn't done in a LONG time. And, you could be right about AF. It came back for me around this time with my 2 sons, although they didn't nurse that well. Both of them we're already bottle fed by this time and I was exclusively pumping. I had a number of issues with them which I am trying to avoid here and do better this time around. Bottles only get used with her by my DH when I am at work which is only 1 day a week. I have never given her a bottle, which I think is a good thing.

You are right, she is grumpy in the evenings and does cluster feed, but that's also when the fussing happens, she's nursing closer together before I have produced a lot more milk...so...I'll just keep with it, and hopefully my body will meet her needs.

I did a little reading, and ate oatmeal this morning. I'll start eating that daily now. I would rather not take herbs unless I think I really need to. How do you know if you should start taking herbs?

[lifeguard]

I'd try to avoid the bottle & let her nursing increase your supply. Have faith in your body.

[PatioGardener]

Many many women question their supply at 4-5 months. It's normal to question it because so many things change - baby wakes at night (normal 4 month sleep regression - or 5 month with you!), they stop feeling letdown, breasts are 'soft and empty' feeling. But even with all of this - most Mamas have enough milk.

If baby is peeing well (4-5 heavy wet diapers in 24 hours) and gaining weight as expected (4-5 oz/week) then you know that you have enough milk. http://www.kellymom.com/bf/supply/enoughmilk-older.html

A bottle will just undermine your supply.

Hang in there, Mama!

[Carhootel]

I also have a 5mo and I've had dips in my supply here and there - I usually make a big batch of Organic Mother's Milk tea and stick it in the fridge and drink on it for a couple days - usually within 12 hours I have tons of milk!

also, I can't say it enough - trust your body and your intuition. Nursing is all supply and demand!

[CookAMH]

What if you switch her to the other side when the first side slows? Then there may be a faster flow there for a bit, then switch her back to the first side. It seems like enough milk would have let down in the first breast while she's on the other side that she might have a good flow then too. Not sure if she would mind that switching but I sorta do that with my 12 week DS when the one side slows down and he's swallowing less.

[friendlymamma]

Originally Posted by CookAMH

What if you switch her to the other side when the first side slows? Then there may be a faster flow there for a bit, then switch her back to the first side. It seems like enough milk would have let down in the first breast while she's on the other side that she might have a good flow then too. Not sure if she would mind that switching but I sorta do that with my 12 week DS when the one side slows down and he's swallowing less.

This is funny for you to say, because I've had to do this a lot lately because she will start to nurse, I'll have let down, and a couple minutes later, she's done on that side. She will pull off, turn away, cry, and get mad. So, I switch her to the other side and she's happy again, for a while.

To answer a PP question, yes, she is having plenty of wet and dirty diapers, so that's one thing that reassures me. Not sure about weight gain, she is very petite to begin with, but she looks fine to me, like she is gaining, and she has always gained well at her MD visits. So, maybe I am just being paranoid. She had 2 bad nights in a row that she woke up multiple times, but back to normal last night.

It is funny to think back to my ds2, because he did this sort of thing around the same time, but it was much worse (maybe a nursing strike? I don't know), so I did give in and give him bottles of bm. That was it, from that time on, I could never get him to nurse again, and I was exclusively pumping by 6 months of age. So, I definitely don't want to give in to the bottle this time! So, I am sticking this one out, dd and I will just have to work together!!! I am determined to make it longer this time around!!!

Thank you to all responses. It encourages me, thanks!

[CookAMH]

Originally Posted by friendlymamma

It is funny to think back to my ds2, because he did this sort of thing around the same time, but it was much worse (maybe a nursing strike? I don't know), so I did give in and give him bottles of bm. That was it, from that time on, I could never get him to nurse again, and I was exclusively pumping by 6 months of age. So, I definitely don't want to give in to the bottle this time! So, I am sticking this one out, dd and I will just have to work together!!! I am determined to make it longer this time around!!!

I can definitely see that happening with the constant easy flow the bottle gives. I hope you can keep it up to keep nursing this time! How is it going?

[FullMetalMom]

Originally Posted by CookAMH

What if you switch her to the other side when the first side slows? Then there may be a faster flow there for a bit, then switch her back to the first side. It seems like enough milk would have let down in the first breast while she's on the other side that she might have a good flow then too. Not sure if she would mind that switching but I sorta do that with my 12 week DS when the one side slows down and he's swallowing less.

I would worry that this will encourage your breast not to make as much milk at each given feeding. I think it would be best to empty one breast and then the other if necessary. Even if baby is fussy, it will encourage the first breast to make more milk at each feeding. Plus, you might want to not encourage the baby to only want the 'fast' milk.