'thrutching'

[hangoninthere]

After feeds my 5wk old does a lot of squirming and grunting. its worse after 'long' feeds when im trying particularly hard to make sure shes satisfied, in the night for example. this leads me to wonder if i am over feeding 'force feeding' her if you will. she never turns down the chance for a suck, you see

I always wind her, but it does seem as if she has belly ache when this happens. Occasionally she'll be sick. The trouble is she would suck all day if i let her which always leaves me wondering when is an appropriate time to surgically remove her from the breast!

Hiya,

Could be wind - does she seem unhappy while she's doing it?

I honestly don't think it's possible to force a baby to breastfeed - they have to actively participate to get milk (except possibly when they first latch on if you have a very active letdown). So if they don't want any more, they don't take any more, although they may stay latched on, not swallowing, because it's nice and snug there and they know that if they suddenly feel an "empty space" they can get more milk instantly! It's not long since food flowed into them 24/7... it must be quite a shock to feel hunger for the first time. Looking at it that way can make it seem more normal for them to want to feed regularly - every hour or so. It'll gradually, gradually space out as they get older.

nothing you have said is outside what is normal for a 5wk old. the squiming could mean that a poo is working its way down her system.

I never winded either of my babies, esp would never consider it during night feeds when I want her to sleep.

I would say to try to offer feeds more often during the day and keep her closer to you at day and night?

Overtiredness I found caused squirminess at feeds too and overtiredness is another reason at this age with dd1 to suckle more at night. Where and how are you getting her to sleep both day and night?

There's been a fab thread here recently about "comfort sucking" and its benefits. Worth a read if you just want some reassurance about "sucking all day" being OK (at least when you've got the chance).