BF 5mth old no longer satisfied after afternoon/evening feeds, don't know what to do.

[notso]

Over the last month DS3 has been getting less and less satisfied with his late afternoon and evening feeds. He starts to pull away, and latch back on, beats me with his fist or just cries and shouts.
This week he has started waking up at night after sleeping 9.30-6.30 for about 6 weeks, he roots for milk but then isn't happy when I feed him.
There is milk there I have checked , but the fast flow feeling doesn't seem to last for long though and once that stops is when he seems to start 'fussing'.
Any advice please.

Is he going through a developmental leap or teething? DS is five months and started pulling off all the time too,I think it's just a phase. I also have to two or three boob him in the evenings now where as before I would just feed from one side. Guess they are much more active..?

My DS is similar but wasn't gaining enough weight as well so we had to introduce a formula top-up in the evening. If your DS is gaining well, I wouldn't worry - just swap boobs as suggested above, maybe, until he's satisfied?

Thanks for replies.

TBH I haven't had him weighed since he was 8 weeks, so no clue if he is gaining enough weight, but he is obviously growing and other than this issue I have no other worries.

I do swap sides but once he starts crying thats pretty much it until he falls asleep.

Formula is not an option he point blank refuses to drink it, tried many times so DH and I could get a meal out together but he won't have it.

I would introduce solids. I am still breastfeeding my seven month old, but she was much more settled when I started her on fruit purée at about five months. She also has formula in a cup during the day when I am at work.

My ds was pulling off like that, doctor thought it was linked to indigestion and prescribed gaviscon.

You say 5 months - if about 24 weeks I would look at the signs of readiness (sitting unaided, puts food to mouth, there's some other ones too) and consider introducing solids. I say this as a BFer who is not a solid-pusher - but WHO guidelines are "around the middle of the first year" and maybe you will decide he is ready for some solids.

He's only 21 weeks, nowhere near sitting unaided.
A couple of friends have suggested solids but surely a bit of puree wouldn't make much difference to his hunger.

I did wonder about the indigestion, he is still sick a lot.

I would definitely start solids. All the indicators are there. I am a breast feeding mother of a 6 month old. I started solids at 18 weeks with all of my kids and it made such a difference. I am also a paediatric dietitian. In the first world, the benefits of withholding solids til after 6 months are questionable IMO.

Ediem - what indications are there?

The signs for solids readiness are.

1. Baby can sit unaided,
2. baby can grab food and put it too there mouth.
3. The tongue trust has gone so baby can swollo food.

Sounds more like developmental changes, just offer more milk.

OK, I would hold off a bit then if he's 21 weeks and not sitting. I think this is just a developmental phase then - I remember 5 months being one of the hardest times for me with DS just in terms of him being unsettled etc. It's hard for them - they're getting so aware of the world but their physical development doesn't really let them join in! It got better once he was sitting and playing properly with toys, and on solids (because we did BLW he enjoyed playing with food too!).

Edie in your work as a dietician, do you normally advise clients based on a couple of lines of written information? What is described could as easily be discomfort. (Note I say "could", I don't claim to know)

edie that's terrible advice and goes against the WHO, UNICEF & the Department of Health, which if you were a dietician I'm sure you know.

Solids shouldn't be given until around 26 weeks & the can meet the 'ready signs' above. They don't need it and it can be damaging for some.

Why people constantly go on about solids is beyond me. Just feed more until they are ready. It's not v long & then you know their digestive systems are mature enough to cope. I say this as a coeliac which I wouldn't wish on anyone.

OP DS has reflux which can contribute to it. Feeding him semi upright helps

For those saying offer more milk, how do I do that?
I feed him, he gets fussy, I try and latch him back on and he screams.
How can I make the 'fast' part of the feed last longer?

Have you tried breast compressions to induce another let down? Works for me. Some more info on it here

as well a breast compressions you could try switching sides. Once he gets fussy on one side offer the other, if he gets fussy on that side offer first again.

don't start solids!

i can't believe posters are recommending that without seeing the baby, nor knowing his exact age or development.

DD went through this at 5 months ish too - all I did was up the feeds.
she was fussy and pully etc for about 2 weeks then settled back down.
it's a growth spurt like any other.

DD doesn't take both sides in one sitting, so I would let her come off, put her down and then start again about half an hour later on the other side.

yes, breast compressions are good - you sort of squeeze your boob - put thumb one side, fingers the other and squeeze. not too hard though, it can bruise!

Thanks for all your advice. I am going to try breast compressions, and look for a breast pump.
A friend I spoke to this morning suggested it could be because my periods have started back this week, anyone else experienced this?

notso reading through is was going to ask about periods as my DD was exactly as you describe for the few days before and few days after my period started. Got mine back at 5 weeks post birth and breastfed until DD was 1 and same every month!

Interesting dozensofpichu, didn't come back until about eight or nine months with my other three so feel a bit cheated this time!

I know what you mean, I was well and truly cheated with it's return at 5 weeks! I would find that as my period was due I wouldn't feel as full for a couple of days, it affected my supply which I guess was the reason for all the fussing, on/off the boob and cross little fists jabbing me!