3.5 mo old nursing a lot less...is this normal?

[skfmama]

My 16 week old DS has started nursing a lot less the last few days and I'm trying to make sure it's normal.

Up until this point, he nursed a lot - like every 2 hours when he was awake (sometimes more often, and sometimes for a long time at each session) and about 2 times at night.

The last few days, he's been very particular about nursing. He'll get mad at me if I offer him nursies and he doesn't want it. But then he will nurse, sometimes. Sometimes he'll just take a snack (like one let down on one side - usually he'll nurse through 3 or 4 let downs (both sides)) and then pop off and be mad. Am I offering too often? Should I wait a few hours between offering, hoping he'll be hungrier and will take a full feeding?

What are hunger cues in a baby this age? I feel like I knew them when he was younger, but now I have no idea.

Yesterday he seemed to want to nurse every 3-4 hours (a full feeding). I think he nursed 7 times yesterday. ((Does a short session count?)) Is that okay? That just doesn't seem like enough for me.

I think his wet diapers are enough, and he definitely poops a ton. I'm going to pay attention today to the number and see if it's enough. He's generally very happy otherwise, and very active.

Is it normal for a baby this age to space out feedings and not want to nurse as long? Is this going to threaten my supply? Are "snacks" okay or should I try to go for full feedings (offer less)?

Thanks so much! I'm a new mom and I don't have many friends who exclusively breastfeed (or care about nursing for a long time - most are okay with early weaning) so I don't know what's normal. I would hate to not be proactive and then have my supply drop or my DS not be getting enough to eat.

[skfmama]

Also: DS is probably teething. He's been drooly for awhile and has little white bumps on his lower gums. Don't know if that's a factor.

And, should I be pumping? I only have a hand pump, if that matters.

[sahmmie]

Newborns tend to nurse very frequently because their stomachs are so small and they can only take in a small amount per feeding. Also, newborns tend to be less efficient nursers in the beginning. As the baby grows the stomach grows, so they can take in much more at each feeding, and they become more efficient at nursing which means they get more milk in less time. It may seem that they are nursing less frequently, and for shorter periods of time, but they are actually getting as much of more milk at each feeding. So, yes; it's perfectly normal for babies to nurse less often as they grow. As long as he's content and wetting and pooping, he's probably doing just fine!

As for snacks, I'd say nurse him whenever he wants to nurse and for as long as he wants to nurse. Babies can self regulate. He'll get what he needs in his own way. I don't think shorter sessions or snacks will hurt your supply. As long as you are feeding on demand and not supplementing, your supply should be fine.

Teething can definitely effect nursing, but the teeth tend to go up and down many, many times before they finally break through which is a saving grace for babies and mommies. The little white spots are normal. All of my babies had them.

Pumping could help if you're worried about supply, but it could also cause over supply. If you want to you can try pumping after some of his "snacks" or shorter feedings, but you probably don't need to unless you see your supply dropping off.

[skfmama]

Thanks. What are some hunger cues you can notice in an older baby? And what would be signs that my supply is dropping off?

I'm glad that there's probably not anything to worry about, but it's still hard...kwim?

[Bokonon]

That all sounds pretty normal to me. Babies get much more efficient at the breast as they get older, so short nursing sessions are not alarming - just make sure pees and poops are adequate and don't worry about length of sessions.

With regard to "snacks" - keep in mind that nursing isn't just for food and comfort, it's also drink. So during warmer weather, baby might need a little sip here and there to quench thirst. And the teething may be making him uncomfortable, so short nursing sessions may help him feel a little better.

No need to try and space out feedings. Offer often, and you don't need to pump unless you need to be away from baby for a feeding and need to give a bottle.

Hang in there, it sounds like you are doing great!

[Nicole730]

Hunger cues - If I am not positive DD is hungry, like based on the time since her last nursing, I will offer other forms of comfort first. Within the last few weeks she sometimes just wants more attention, smiles, playing, etc... Your DS is about the same age as my daughter, so that could be it. Then I check diaper, try and get her to sleep, change her position, etc... If she is still fussy, then I know to feed her! She drools quite a bit, but will get even more drooly when she is hungry. She will fuss quietly and then belt out huge screams when she is starving. If she makes a 'nursing noise' while sucking on her fingers, she is hungry. Hope that helps!

[skfmama]

Thanks for the replies. Things seem to have settled down more. He's definitely not nursing as much as he was two weeks ago, but he's not getting mad every time I offer anymore. We've switched to mainly only one side per feeding, and nursing every 2-3 hours, which I think is working well now that my body's adjusted to that. For a few days I felt really full all the time.

I think it's definitely teething. His sleep at night has been really erratic...sometimes the normal 6 or 7 hour stretch, sometimes up every 2-3 hours...last night he woke up SCREAMING after just an hour or so. We'll have to get some of those teething tablets.

Anyway, thanks for the encouragement. I feel a lot more relaxed and confident that Samuel will tell me when he's hungry and eat what he needs. And that my milk supply will be responsive to him. If you think about it, breastfeeding is so amazing!

[Quinalla]

Yup, sounds normal and glad things settled down some. I wouldn't pump unless you are getting uncomfortable or need the pumped milk for some reason.