Is my dd using my boob as a comforter?

[Pernod]

Help, I just don't know what to do for the best.
My 14 wk old totally breast fed dd just seems to constantly be 'on my' breast as a source of comfort. Many of my friends & family are suggesting I supplement her diet with formula or baby rice to satisfy her more but I just don't know what to do. Any advice??
:(

I'm sure you'll get a flood of (better qualified) people answering, but if you don't mind me chipping in: of course your baby likes your nork for comfort. What's more comforting than being close to your Mum and getting bf? But at this age, your dd might be having a growth spurt which might explain her cluster feeding. Adding baby rice is not the way to go - solids shouldn't be introduced until 6mo, and even when they are, a baby's calories should be gained from milk and not from the solids. Supplementing formula may help if you're feeling totally overwhelmed with the frequent feeds (and we all know how knackering it can be) but it may reduce your milk supply (she's cluster feeding to stimulate you to produce the milk she needs for her spurt) and may lead to all sorts of problems. Your friends and family are probably trying to be helpful, but I would suggest speaking to a bf counsellor like LLL for help and support. I hope that helps, and very good luck with dd

I agree with 2happy. Many friends of mine stopped breastfeeding before they wanted to because they thought that they were not producing enough milk, started to add formula then their milk supply dried up. I found that at regular intervals my dd (to start with every 3-4 weeks then every couple of months) would cry and cry if I tried to take him off, even though I knew he was not getting any milk. After a day or two he would gradually get back to some kind of routine, satisfied that he was getting enough. Tracy Hogg gives some great advise about increasing your milk supply either by lots of feeding or by pumping inbetween feeds then feeding the pumped milk plus the extra milk you will begin to produce. She also gives some tips on how to extend the time inbetween feed if your dd gets used to being on the breast all the time! I would really recommend her book, obviously everyone has their own ways and I dont agree with everything she says but when it comes to bf she is def a help.
Good luck- dont forget to enjoy the bf as having given up last week, i really miss the closeness. Mum told me I would but just wanted my body back after doing it for 8 1/2 months but now would love to have his little arm around me!

Pernod - just do what feels right for you. your dd could well be having a growth spurt in which case it will feel like all your doing all day is feeding her, and if its just started, then she'll just be trying to stimulate more milk for herself. And yes, she probably does spend a lot of time on there for comfort too, its just her way of feeling safe and close to mummy.

Don't give her baby rice - she's way too young, and only give formula if you feel thats what you REALLY want to do. Don't feel pressurised into giving formula feeds, it will just mess up your milk supply.

Keep your chin up, and listen to peoples advice. but at the end of the day, its you and your dd, and do what you want. Enjoy bf'ing, you've got this far, and it's such an amazing closeness that you and your dd share, make the most of it.

Hope i've helped and haven't preached at you too much.

I always take him off after 45 mins cos I know he wouldn't be feeding any longer than that. And if he wants more for comfort - tough! And he's very contented despite that gestapo side of me I mean to be honest, I'd be exhausted if I let him stay on there as long as he wanted.

Actually at 14 wks I think it was more like 35 mins.

Hi every-one, thanks very much for all your advice, I think I'll hold off for sure on any baby rice & hope that's it's just a growth spurt. I've got 2 older dd's but I don't remember them being this desperate for me the whole time!

Hi Bear time - how often were you feeding for this long? My dd seems to want it about every hour!

Hi Bear time - how often were you feeding for this long? My dd seems to want it about every hour!

Hi Bear time - how often were you feeding for this long? My dd seems to want it about every hour!

sorry to repeat 3 times!!

Roughly every four hours, but on a routine - not on demand. If you haven't been doing that, you may need to work up to it gradually though. Maybe she's crying because she's tired, or overstimulated? Maybe she needs set nap times? 'The Baby Whisperer Solves all your Problems' is great for showing how to get into a routine - I think some babies need a routine more than others, and it might be worth a try?

Hi Pernod - with DS2 I felt like a great big dummy most of the time but I really didn't mind (I'd had lots of problems feeding DS1 so was just glad I could feed DS2 at all)- it gave me a good excuse to sit around doing nothing
This time passes very quickly and it may be just a phase of weekk or two that she's like this anyway. If you have to time to feed her like this and you are happy doing it, I would politely ignore the advice you're getting from your friends (and family - especially mothers and MILs ) and do what feels right for you and your baby.

yeah def ignore the weaning advice!