could this rough patch be a growth spurt?

[fernie3]

My daughter is 7 weeks. A week or two ago the length of her feeds started to shorten but she seemed generally happy. Since saturday though she has been really strange, she feeds for about 10 mins then starts to fuss pulling away and trying the turn her head then crying. If I offer her the otherside she does the same. She then sleeps but wakes half an hour later to do the same thing. She IS still havong two or three longer sleeps over 24 hours but she seems to be restless and dissatisfied.
My breasts feel empty when she starts fussing, is there any reason that my milk supply could have dropped? we havent introduced bottles or changed anything as far as I am aware? She is still having wet and dirty nappies

don't worry it is very very unlikely that you have developed an issue with supply if you haven't "topped up". Your breasts feeling softer just means they have got the hang of what they are doing and so not over producing and becoming engorged.

I'm not sure about the fussing though ds has been through similar periods that have just ironed themself out. There might be a growth spurt about now iirc...6 weeks rings a bell. Though obviously babies don't have that much respect for the calendar so this varys.

I'm sure someone will be along with better info shortly.

That sounds exactly like a growth spurt to me. Both fussing at the breast and cluster feeding (the feed-sleep-feed pattern) are common in growth spurts, and in the early weeks. Kellymom has some good information on growth spurts and fussy feeding.

My DS was like this (but without the sleeping bit - he just cried!) during a spurt which lasted from 6 to 7.5 weeks. General unsettledness (often in the evenings) peaks around 6-8 weeks in many babies, and lots have a 6 week growth spurt too. Being unsettled & fussy isn't a sign of dissatisfaction with your milk.

Your breasts feeling empty isn't a sign of you not having enough milk. As you get further along the line with bf, your breasts generally feel softer but it's just that your supply is adjusting well to your baby's needs, rather than you producing more milk than they need.

Feeds shortening is also normal as babies get more efficient and able to drink faster. My DS used to feed for 30-40 mins, and now he only takes 5, max 10 minutes.

Well done - it sounds like you're doing a fantastic job. :)