starving 5 month old

[holeyguacamoley]

New to mumsnet, go easy on me! Expeienced bf ing mum of 4, latest addition waking several times in the night, feeding and seeming unsettled grizzly and keeping us awake after mamy weeks either sleeping through or up for a quickie that settled her. have tried small solids but don't want to stuff her knowing who guidelines recommend six months, also want my milk supply to last as too lazy for sterilise etc and evangelical re bf, also as my last want to continue as long as poss, however my instincts and huband tell me she is hungry! help!

Growth spurt? Maybe try feeding more frequently during the day?

you're instincts are prob right, they do tend to have a growth spurt around 5 months. both mine did anyway.

however, more milk is better than solids, as baby rice/fruit/veg don't contain many calories, so giving solids may well fill her tummy up but not provide her with many calories. better to offer more breastmilk which will do the trick. if i remember rightly my dd did this and fed every 2hrs for about a week while she had a growth spurt at 5 months, then it settled down again. i finally weaned her at 6.5 months.

try and ride it out and see if it gets better in a few days, hard tho i know

(I meant try breast-feeding more frequently BTW)

Thank you All! Iam feeding very frequently during the day, sometimes four times in an hour ! she has always been a frequent feeder so that doesnt worry me as I can do it anywhere and it is only for a short while, what has changed is that she has never settled between feeds? she has been so contented since birth and i don't like her to be unhappy And I do feel empty breasts? how do I make more milk I thought the frequent feeding wuld sort me out or do people run out?

when she feeds 4 times in an hour do you switch breasts at each feed? maybe she is only getting the watery foremilk. maybe try feeding her from the same side for 2 feeds in a row and see if that makes a difference. also, does she feed at night still, because night feeds are the best way to boost milk supply as the hormone responsible for milk supply is highest at night! sorry!

also maybe try going along to a breastfeeding support group or contacting nct or la leche league, both very helpful

also if this is a recent thing, then it does take your body 48hrs or so to "catch up". so if she is feeding more frequently than normal, your body should catch up soon

Night! That is the trouble during the day is not so bad but I am really not used to the tiredness since she has been such a treasure , you advice has been very helpful I will give it a go Thank you very much< E

Ah! Just remembered! round about this stage when my milk production didnt seem to keep up with the demand I took fenugreek capsules and after a couple of days i really noticed the difference. Will try to find the thread.

There wasnt a thread as such but it was around 6 mnth mark and they really worked. I think i took 2 or 3, 2 or 3 times a day. As a harmless side-effect you will smell of curry, but who cares! DD2 didnt seem to mind...HTH

is there any truth in the theory that milk quality can go down due to diet lifestyle etc? I am trying to eat healthily but due to my own efforts I have lost a bit of weight in the last few weeks, But because i am sleeping so badly and so busy, i feel for the first time since she was newborn I am really run ragged and stressed. Could this affect milk Quality? she is having plenty wet nappies so i'm not worried re quantity.

milk quantity or quality are completely unaffected by diet/nutrients in the mother's diet. the body prioritises the baby over you so you may be lacking in some nutrients but your body will make sure the milk is always fine, no matter what you eat.