BF 7 week old still hungry when there's no milk left

[FingonTheValiant]

I dont think I'm making enough milk for my 7 week old. For the last week he's not been getting enough milk when I'm feeding him, and when the breast is empty he's still hungry and I have nothing more to give.

I've always had to give him both breasts (emptying one and then swapping) but now even both isn't doing it. Up until a week ago he was going 4hrs between feeds, but now he is either rooting as soon as he comes off the breast (which really kills me to see) or is desperate 1.5-2hrs later.

He dropped from the 50th centile to the 9th in his first week and is still down there, so I really don't want him to not gain weight.

Would offering him formula when he's done breastfeeding really be the worst thing in the world?

I've been letting him suckle even when there's no milk coming, but my supply isn't going up, in fact it seems to be going down :(

Sorry that this is a bit incoherent, he's screaming and rooting and I only fed him at 8.30 :( I'm getting desperate.

That's North Herts for you headfairy - they said if he dropped to the 50th he would be admitted to hospital. And I'm not daft and didn't misinterpret, that's what the HV said!

Sorry to hijack your thread a bit OP. But there are definite parallels between our situations, even though baby size is different...

Premature - I meant stuff like wiggling him about, playing on the playmat, making sounds at him - when he's well fed and therefore receptive to other activity. Even at seven weeks I can see the benefits of this, not least a big smile. Also taking him for a walk in the buggy and letting him look around rather than thinking "but I've probably only got an hour before the boob's got to come out again, when I'll be in the middle of a freezing cold park!"

Thanks for the reassurance everyone!

The HVs are happy with him so that's ok there. I'm not worried about him being on a low centile, as Seeker said, someone has to be little.

I guess he's just changed his feeding style and the glory days of four hours between feeds are over.

Santa interesting point re dairy. I have a low bone profile so try to keep my dairy intake up, but actually I hate dairy products and could happily go without. I'd read it can be a problem, so I think I'll try cutting it out and see what happens.

Thanks again :)

My ds2 had a growth spurt for 10 days at 6 weeks old, which totally shocked me as ds1 never seemed to have it! He started waking 3 times in the night and was feeding a lot more in the evening (pretty much constantly). He never went more than 3 hours during the day before that but it was still a shock. After those 10 days he settled back again into his previous feeding times. Formula may help in the short term but it won't help your milk supply in the long term. I hope it all settles down soon for you both.

fingnon you're doing a great job. Sorry - didn't mean to suggest you were clock watching. I should have clarified that with ds1 I did a lot of clock-watching as did everyone else (and commented loudly! what, feeding time AGAIN!). But this time, having faith in my boobs to do the job has helped me relax and take the cluster-feeds, boob-bashing, nipple-pulling and growth spurts.

Good luck - hope it all settles down soon

double blimey Auburn, that's bonkers. Glad you were able to steer a course around that one!

My 6 week old also fusses (leaves the breast and roots frantically) when she reaches the hindmilk i.e. when the breast feels empty. At first I wondered if I had enough milk.

Have since worked out it is because she won't soil herself during feeding. Taking her to her changing mat before continuing the feed solves the problem. (I give her a chance to finish the first breast before offering the second.)

We have been using this strategy for the last 3 weeks and I now feel much happier feeding. In this time she has moved from the 25th to the 50th.

I have no idea if this will help but good luck.

Y'know Fingon, I think you're right, babies feeding patterns do change over time and it's good that you are responding to it.

Just keep going with it, your supply will adjust to the more frequent feedings.