This is new. Should I worry?

[haydn'smommy]

So, we made it 6wks. Now, we have a new development.
My breasts feel very soft, almost empty. But for the most part I hear him swallowing while nursing. That said, he is now only nursing for 5-10min, sometimes 15min, on each side. After that he refuses or if he does latch on he just sucks a little and pops off. He seems rather content after. He's now having around 45+min after a feeding where he will sit and look around and act happy. Then he gets fussy and seems to want to sleep again.
I'm worried again about whether I'm making enough and whether he's getting enough. He's peeing alot but not pooping as much. He's taking several long naps during the day. Here's what we have done today.
Wake 4:30 (wet & poop)
Nurse 4:30-5am
Play 5-5:30am, nurse a little, asleep in swing (wet)
Wake 6:45am, refused the breast, gave Prevacid dose (wet)
Nurse 7:20-7:50, asleep in swing
Wake 10:00 (wet)
Nurse 10-10:30am
Play 10:30-11:45am (wet)
Nurse a little 11:45am-12p, asleep in swing

Does this sound like he's getting enough and like I'm getting enough stimulation? I'm nervous again. I called the LC to see if she was there for me to bring him by to check his weight but she hasn't called back. I wish I had a good scale and could weigh him after one of these naps and after feeding so that I could see that he is getting enough.

[dachshundqueen]

At this age and stage, a lot of babies are nursing more frequently due to a growth spurt that hits at 6 weeks.

The fact that your baby has adequate diapers and is pooping regularly should be consoling. In addition, once the couplet gets the hang of breastfeeding the child can empty the breast more rapidly and efficiently.

Over time, your breasts compensate and learn when and how much milk to produce, so you may not feel full or engorged any longer, but your breasts are producing adequate quantities of milk to nourish your child.

If you are concerned that your child is not gaining properly or if you have a history of low supply, by all means, have the child weighed again.

Liz

[mamazee]

Look at output, not input, because there's no way to measure input. My breasts have always felt soft with this new baby, right from the start. I've never felt like I was making any milk. But she keeps growing! She's 9 months now and huge, and she's only having the tiniest bit of solid food occasionally, so it's BM that's doing it. I obviously am producing plenty despite never feeling like I have any milk.

Also, as they get better at nursing, they sometimes become more efficient and don't need to spend as much time at it.

[Llyra]

It's normal for your breasts to suddenly feel softer. That's your milk supply regulating itself. Lots of mamas get alarmed when it happens, but it's normal. You probably won't feel that full feeling unless baby sleeps very long or for some other reason you go a long time without nursing.

If you're nursing at least 10 times in 24 hours (sounds like you are), and he's pooping and wetting a lot, and the poo is yellow or yellowish brown or orange, and you hear or see swallowing, he's probably doing fine. It's fairly typical for them to want to sleep after only 45 minutes awake, and by an hour and a half after waking, you run the risk of overtiredness, which makes a cranky baby. Lots of cat naps are very normal at this age.

A weight check can be really really reassuring. I would pursue that!

But really, it sounds like it's going well!

[haydn'smommy]

Thanks for the responses.
I had so many problems with my first that I worry constantly over this one.
I keep telling myself that he wouldn't sit happily and "play" if he wasn't satisfied, but he's changed from eating almost round the clock last week to now this every 2-2.5hrs and sleeping between and it makes me nervous, that change.
I'm still pumping 4-5oz/day in addition to feeding him. He wakes every 2-3hrs to eat overnight, which I'm more than okay with.
I never heard back from the LC but thankfully, I work at the pediatrician office so I can pop in and weigh him today.
(You know, the irony in all this whining and worrying is that I'm a PNP and CLC!!! I know nothing when it comes to my own kids!)

[haydn'smommy]

Took him for a weight check. He weighs 12lbs3oz now, which is 1lb5oz more than he weighed 2wks ago. So, I guess he's doing good. LOL

[Super~Single~Mama]

It sounds like he's doing GREAT!!

I'm glad all that worrying was for nothing - but mommy's worry all the time - I know I do!

[PatioGardener]

Originally Posted by haydn'smommy

Took him for a weight check. He weighs 12lbs3oz now, which is 1lb5oz more than he weighed 2wks ago. So, I guess he's doing good. LOL

Yay! As I read through this thread I kept thinking "yup - completely normal. I bet he is gaining well." And he is

Great to hear, Mama! Keep it up - you guys are doing great.

(Remember taht he may poop only every 10 days or so and that could be normal. Watch those pees and weight gain to know he is getting enough. Now taht he is past 6 weeks those poops won't be a realiable signal anymore.)

[FREEmom1120]

Originally Posted by haydn'smommy

Thanks for the responses.
I had so many problems with my first that I worry constantly over this one.
I keep telling myself that he wouldn't sit happily and "play" if he wasn't satisfied, but he's changed from eating almost round the clock last week to now this every 2-2.5hrs and sleeping between and it makes me nervous, that change.
I'm still pumping 4-5oz/day in addition to feeding him. He wakes every 2-3hrs to eat overnight, which I'm more than okay with.
I never heard back from the LC but thankfully, I work at the pediatrician office so I can pop in and weigh him today.
(You know, the irony in all this whining and worrying is that I'm a PNP and CLC!!! I know nothing when it comes to my own kids!)

I had trouble with my first and am just now able to not worry and pay attention to every slightest change in nursing and overall behavior, size of pee and poop, etc. (at 12 weeks). Your thread made me smile because I so get it.

They get even faster at nursing, too! My dd is not so into the comfort nursing unless she wants to go to sleep, and even then not always, so when she started the popping off after 5 mins on one side, I was like "um, are you done?" Sometimes I still try to relatch her thinking there is no way she is full. She promptly protests and goes 2+ hrs before eating again.

[haydn'smommy]

Originally Posted by FREEmom1120

I had trouble with my first and am just now able to not worry and pay attention to every slightest change in nursing and overall behavior, size of pee and poop, etc. (at 12 weeks). Your thread made me smile because I so get it.

They get even faster at nursing, too! My dd is not so into the comfort nursing unless she wants to go to sleep, and even then not always, so when she started the popping off after 5 mins on one side, I was like "um, are you done?" Sometimes I still try to relatch her thinking there is no way she is full. She promptly protests and goes 2+ hrs before eating again.

Oh it's so good to hear that someone else is as big a worrier as I am. I worry over how long he eats at every feeding. I listen and watch for swallowing and watch the clock to make sure he's nursing long enough (whatever that is....lol). Part of me thinks that I'll almost have relief when I go back to work and am pumping and can see exactly what I'm making and how much he eats, although I'm in mental agony about not being able to be with him and be the source of the food and comfort for him.

[Barefoot~Baker]

I'm so glad you're doing well I'm a big worrier too, more so with my 3rd though bc I had milk supply problems with my 2nd.

Well done mama