Worried I do not have enough milk.

[PoorOldFox13]

I’m combo feeding my 4m old. He has breast milk all day, he has one big bottle of formula before bed (husband helps out with that feed so I can spend time with my older child) and has stopped feeding overnight due to not waking until about 5am at which point I breast feed again.

Lately I’ve noticed he is ravenous throughout the day and is constantly feeding which I don’t mind because I know he isn’t getting the calories at night. He seems to be frustrated and fussy and crying more. When he has his last bottle of the day, I breastfeed before on both boobs and then he will still have 7oz of formula but he still seems hungry so we’ve increased to 8oz which seems a lot for his age.

I’m now wondering if I’m giving him enough in the day because he just seems unsettled and the way he drinks that last bottle makes me question things.

he has got to 8oz now incrementally as every few days he would want more. Ie a few weeks ago he was happy with 5oz and then would cry for more and wouldn’t be put down. Increased to 6oz he was happy for a few days then the same occurred. Until where we’re at tonight when 8oz isn’t enough and he’s crying for more. I don’t have any more to give him from the breast because at the point I’ve fed him from both boobs he starts getting fussy as I think there’s not as much there.

How is his nappy output? Is he still pooing/weeing a lot? Was he growing fine on the centile chart? 4 months can be a really tricky time as there’s a lot going on with their development and sleep time can really take a hit! If he’s seemed happy and gaining weight fine up to this time then I’d say it probably is just a 4 month old thing! Often at this age when they’re feeding they may break off and look around as they’ve suddenly realised there’s lots going on (can be very annoying in public 🤣). It’s a really difficult age and a constant guessing game imo but does get much better!

Agree with PP. I almost stopped at 4m as felt like she was never satisfied, we cracked on though and she is still BF now at 12m. I found with BF you just need to trust the process!

He's probably about to have a growth spurt. Mine did this periodically just before they grew and therefore needed to increase your milk supply. Everyone talks about the newborn cluster feeding (probably because it's the most intense and lasts longest), but they definitely have other patches of cluster feeding as they grow

If he's having wet and dirty nappies and is generally happy, you are making enough!

He’s probably just increasing your supply ready for a growth spurt!

Make sure you’re eating enough and trust the process, you’ve got this far, both baby and your body know what it’s doing.

Mine both had big growth spurts at around 4 months. They never took bottles but would be on the breast constantly all day! You just have to let them guzzle away and your production will increase naturally to match their needs.