Is my DS getting enough milk? How do I tell?

[Wendy HS]

I have a 3 1/2 mo old DS and lately at his bedtime feeding he gets fussy and latches on, only to pull away again and again, like he is upset that the milk isn't coming down right away. He doesn't appear to be in any pain. He almost acts mad. He then cries and is fussy for about 5-10 minutes and then I can finally get him to try again and he sucks really hard and of course down comes the milk and he seems happy again. It seems like maybe my milk runs out before he is satisfied too. I am worried that maybe he isn't getting enough. He would sleep through the night if I did not wake him to nurse him. My other two children were up every 2 hours for the first year.This little guy sucks his thumb and seems content to sleep the night away. He is growing, healthy and otherwise happy. What do I do if he needs more milk? Should I pump after he nurses or let him suck even when it feels like he isn't getting anymore milk? Any help would be appreciated.

[PatioGardener]

This sounds like my little guy at that age. Completely normal.

I would let him nurse as much as he wants/you can stand - with or without active milk transfer he is doing what he needs to do. Note: this advice is if he is gaining well.

How do you know he is getting enough milk? He is having at least 5 heavy wet diapers (disposables, 8 for cloth) in 24 hours, and is gaining well. You can check out kellymom and the WHO chart for weight gain info: http://kellymom.com/bf/supply/enoughmilk-older.html

http://www.who.int/childgrowth/standards/cht_wfa_boys_p_0_6.pdf

Remember that ~4 months is prime sleep regression time - and the time when many moms wonder if they have enough milk. Breasts stop feeling full, letdown doesn't tingle anymore, baby changes nursing patterns, etc. All these are normal, and most often mom's milk supply is fine!

If baby is gaining well and wetting well then you guys are doing great!

[Wendy HS]

Thank you so much for the reassurance. I think I am worrying too much and trying to nurse him when he is not hungry or wanting to nurse. I noticed my breasts weren't feeling as full and the let down didn't seem as strong or as long and so I thought my milk supply was lowering, and maybe he wasn't getting enough to eat. All the other signs show me that he is getting plenty to eat. He is gaining, he has plenty of wet diapers and he is happy, not fussy. When he eats he seems satisfied and can wait up to 3 or 4 hours without acting like he is hungry. It just seemed like he wasn't eating as long, as often, etc... He is exclusively breast fed so I guess I need to stop worrying and just let him tell me what he needs. Thanks again!!!

[PatioGardener]

I totally understand!  I called a good friend and LLL leader when my DS was about 4 months old because he just wasn't nursing as often. She kindly reminded me that this is a completely natural progression, and if his pees were good and he was gaining well then all was fine.

Enjoy this time, because if he is like my DS there will be bn increase in night nursing soon (also normal).