[glad2bhome]

Hi, everyone. I have a friend who is nursing her second child and having some trouble. He is about two weeks old, now (maybe three). Here's what she wrote me:

"When he's awake, he cries and roots. Does he just want to suck for comfort or is he really hungry? He acts so hungry even if I have fed him for a long time. It seems like he only gets milk the first 5-10 minutes and then sucks but only swallows here and there. It is like there isn't enough milk or he cannot get the hind milk. He still isn't pooping! I read on Mothering that some bf babies just use up all the milk and do not poop much. With that idea, I think he is hungry and not getting a lot. Why isn't he getting enough?"

Both of us ended up formula-feeding our firsts, after bf for a little while, so we are inexperienced in this area. Any advice would be wonderful!!!

~Melissa

 

[BowenTherapist]

glad you came here for help, i probably won't be of much help, but there are a lot of knowledgeble mamas here

she, and you too

, should get hooked up with a local LA LECHE LEAGUE. try a couple of different groups too, each group will have a different "feel". the leaders can be called at home (contact numbers are usually on the website) and answer all sorts of questions.

you had said "still no poop" as in since birth? if so maybe he has something wrong with his latch?

good luck to your friend...

 

[wombat]

Quote:

I read on Mothering that some bf babies just use up all the milk and do not poop much.

http://www.kellymom.com/bf/normal/newborn-nursing.html
Kellymom.com says

Quote:

Baby should have at least 3 - 4 bowel movements daily that are the size of a US quarter (2.5 cm) or larger. If baby has a larger number of dirty diapers, then the size of the bowel movement might be proportionally smaller. Some babies have a bowel movement every time they nurse, or even more often - this is normal, too. Stools should be soft (sometimes even runny) and yellow, although an occasional green stool is also normal. After 4 - 6 weeks of age, some babies will switch to an infrequent stooling pattern, with stools as infrequent as one every 7 - 10 days. As long as baby is gaining well, this is perfectly normal.

Has the baby been weighed since birth? That is the only definitive way to check he's gaining weight.

Here's some great links about whether baby is getting enough milk:
http://www.kellymom.com/bf/supply/en...lk.html#enough

You mentioned you both ended up formula feeding and so I wonder if your babies weren't latched on well, didn't get enough milk and your supply dropped off because of this?

If your friends baby's weight gain is ok, then he might just have a high sucking need. BUT RULE OUT LATCHING PROBLEMS AND WEIGHT GAIN PROBLEMS FIRST! My dd was the kinda baby that only wanted to suck when she was hungry, did her thing, then spat it out. A friend of mine has a baby that is attached to her breast constantly. So babies vary a lot. Giving the baby your clean finger to suck on between feeds might give your breast a break.

I second contacting LLL for help and support. Also your friend could find a board certified lactation consultation (IBCLC) to help her. It makes a huge difference having someone knowledgeable there observe a feeding and the babies latch and help you sort out little problems before they become major problems. LCs are really worth the initial expensive.

 

[phathui5]

Here's the contact page for LLL in Maryland. It has phone numbers and contact info for the local groups:

http://www.lllofmd-de-dc.org/index.shtml