Interpreting rooting

[MrsHD]

I know 'what does my baby want?' is the $64,000 question, but I'm trying to understand when rooting is a request to get your boobs out, and when it's a request for some lunch.

I have a huge 6 week old, he weighs a stone, and he's 99% BF - the odd formula feed has crept in but this thread isn't about that! In the first days he fed constantly and I just sort of stuck to that, assuming he needed food all the time. We then started having loads of fussing on the boob, and whereas on me he'd root and then get in a lather when I tried to feed him, on DH he'd be calm and happy and often doze off, so plainly not hungry.

I've been in touch with the NCT BF counsellor who said that it's entirely possible he'd looking for comfort rather than food, and their instinct at those moments is to root for the breast, even if they don't want food, as they know the breast is a source of comfort. I don't want Bf to become a nightmarish guessing game again (it had become so), so any clues as to how to interpret whether rooting is for food or comfort? Recently DS had started going 2 hours between feeds which was great as he fed well then and it gave me a chance to express, but with the guessing game again I've suddenly lost the plot.

Thanks.

am not entirely sure what i could say (dd is now almost 4) i guess it would start perhaps when he starts rooting, perhaps use clean finger to test waters maybe?
hth xx

I think at this age you should just assume it's food. If it isn't and he's just doing some comfort sucking then that's OK too - and if it isn't and he gets a bit cross, then take him off and try putting him in the pushchair for a walk or something (if your DH isn't there to hand him to! He's still very tiny. Just try to think of him as a little animal - he's all instinct and reflex.

It sounds as if you're doing AMAXINGLY well, though! As my HV said to me - 'That baby's on good pasture!"