Baby sucking fingers after long feeds

[Meowstro]

My week old baby keeps sucking her fingers after a long feed. She has had normal 15 minute feeds every 2 hours but 20 minutes after the last one she showed signs of wanting to feed again - finger sucking, restlessness and rooting. I fed her again by breastfeeding but this time it went on for another 30 minutes where I fed her on both sides. She then showed signs she was just using me to soothe by spitting my nipple out and pushing away then latching and doing the same a minute later.

As she has jaundice, I worried that maybe she hadn't got enough milk so gave her a bit of formula, she took 30mls and the rooting, finger sucking and restlessness continued. I'm sure now that she's had enough to drink and read that sometimes babies suck their fingers when they have gas, I've been cycling her legs and patting and rubbing her back to no avail. The only thing I can think of is it's been nearly 24 hours since her last bowel movement. Could it be this? Or any suggestions on what I could try?

She was like this first thing this morning and last night too.

She probably just wants to comfort suck, I would give a dummy rather than formula in that situation.

I have given her a dummy and she spits it out, even when I try to put it back in. It's peculiar as she fusses like she's hungry.

It's sometimes hard for them to get the hang of it at this age, might be worth trying different teats, my ds likes the avent ones but lots of babies like the cherry teat ones.

As a disclaimer I should mention that some people including health visitors say dummies can interfere with breastfeeding before 6 weeks but I've never found this to be the case

What is her weight like? Has she regained her birth weight?

New babies have frequent growth spurts. They increase your supply (for the following day) by latching on and off very quickly, seeming fussier around feeding etc - basically what you describe.

It's totally normal behaviour that people are often not told about (and can leave bf mums feeling inadequate as it can feel like baby is not getting enough).

Expect to see similar behaviour at 10 days, 14 days and for a more extended period around 6 weeks. Of course your LO may decide they want to bump up your supply at any time inbetween and consequently do the same.

Y
Use of formula/dummies before 6 weeks can interfere with your supply - they can feel easier than bf but if it means you boobs aren't getting the same stimulation (from baby on-off) then your supply may not establish as well as otherwise.

10 days has come around and, yes, she's feeding lots more, almost constantly.

@mypoornips Yes, she's put on a lb now. I'm assuming she's feeding enough because of the breastfeeding and formula but I'm starting to worry that I'm giving her too much and her cues are something else.

That's quite a lot of weight gain for a 10 day old. How much formula are you giving and is it the first milk?

What was her birth weight?

1lb gain at a week old?

I've only had one baby but was told to expect a weight loss in first week, anywhere between 3-9% of birth weight.

The signs you mention are feeding cues and at a week old my DD was cluster feeding on me constantly to up my milk supply. Supplementing with formula now will only inhibit this.

Sorry didn't realise you started the thread on 11th!!

The constant feeding is to bring your supply but also to sooth. I was concerned about bf giving too little milk as feeding constantly in the evenings around 10 day mark, almost turned to formula at one point but LO was gaining weight fine and it passed. I think growth spurts making them bit needier around that time.

1oz I meant 🙈 if I don't feed her formula, she will scream and scream, even on the breast she will just scream into me and thrash her hands about whilst giving me all of the feeding cues. If I lay her in the cot it's the same thing. Don't really know what else to do.

Has she been checked for tongue tie? It sounds like something is off if she's screaming. Are you getting 5-6 wet & at least 2 dirty nappies?

One Oz weight gain is fine for a new baby, main thing is she has regained her birth weight.

It's stressful but bread feeding can take a while to full get going, you are doing g really well.