Hungry baby means I'm losing confidence in BF. Is it time to wind it down?

[herbaceous]

DS is now 15 weeks, and for the past few days has not really been putting much effort into feeding. Seems to be hungry every 90 mins (though not at night, thank god), but doesn't really suck with the power he used to. And thrashes about, pulling my nipple, and scratching me with his nails. So either he wasn't really hungry, or my supply's dwindling, or, er, I don't know.

He has also slipped off his percentile line - only from 75th down towards 50th - so the HV said I need to feed him more. But how? Do I wait longer between feeds, to build up more milk in the boobs, or what?

He's been feeding every two hours or so for weeks now, so the conventional wisdom of 'feed lots and you'll make lots' doesn't seem to be working. I'm taking Mama More Milk herbal supplement, but doesn't seem to he having much effect, other than making me smell of curry.

I do give him a bottle in the evening, as he cluster-feeds like a mad thing, and my boobs end up like empty socks.

He also doesn't sleep much during the day, making me think that he's hungry. I saw my mum and sis (who has three kids), who both suggested I give him more formula to keep him satisfied (he does cry and grizzle a a lot during the day), as my supply should be pretty established by now. Maybe now is the time to introduce a lunchtime bottle too...

herb, I really think if you are getting this stressed you need to see someone in rl who is kind and helpful and can see if they think your baby is latching well, taking in air / getting windy etc If he's feeding as much as you say and then been crying inbetween then there is a reason for it and it can be sorted. Without seeing him my best guess would be growth spurt / windy or colicy baby for the behaviour you are describing but its v hard to tell via comp screen. Have you spoken to tiktok on here? I would bet she would be about sometime soon (and probably tell me i'm wrong ) But really nearly all bf problems can be sorted if you want to sort them.

My internet connection is going funny but I will be back on here later, hope you are ok.

Just been for a long walk with him, during which he stopped crying, and even fell asleep for the last 20 minutes. He has just fed really well - it having been a couple of hours since the last one - and is being a delight.

Kitcat - there is indeed so much conflicting advice. I'd also heard green poo means too much foremilk, but others have said the whole 'foremilk/hindmilk' thing doesn't really exist. I can't leave him on one boob any longer than I do, anyway, as he removes himself.

I do have a lovely real life person to talk to, a proper BF counsellor, but she's the one who said feed every two hours or longer and distract him in the meantime. He is in fact better when we're out and about, I presume because there's more to look at.

The cries vary from coughing-style grizzling, to full-on wailing, with 'crumpled face' and all others in between. There's a particular high-pitched one, when he goes totally stiff, which is sometimes sorted out with some gripewater. He used to be worse in the evenings, but now mornings are nearly as bad!

He does sometimes seem to gag about 30 mins after eating - could this be reflux or something else to confuse the issue?

Thanks for all your kind words, ladies. It can all get a bit intense, cooped up at home...

Glad he was a bit better for you this afternoon.

DD had reflux but she didn't realy gag. It would just come up without warning iyswim.

Good you have someone to talk to in real life. You're doing really well. Do you remember when we were TTC!? (not us together lol) Have you got someone who could have him for a couple of hours for you so you can get out or even get some sleep?

cece- I do remember when we were TTC. I'd have given ANYTHING to be in this position! He is generally wonderful, and I love him desperately.

Luckily, all this crazed feeding during the day means that he sleeps at night - 9 until 7, with a possible boob feed about 11. Pretty good, really.

Toadstool - I'm not worried about the green poo per se, but just as an indication that his frequent feeding might be meaning all he gets is lots of foremilk.

Herb, have to agree with toadstool, to be sleeping that long at night he is deffo getting enough, it sounds as tho he's feeding all hours of the day to get a really good kip in!

Now you are probably going to get suggestions of waking him up LOL! just to add to the conflicting advice.

Can I please just jump in 1st and say that there is absolutley no reason to wind up the b/feeding. You are clearly nourishing your baby very well, if he's feeding lots during the day its because you are making him grow

The upset during the day is not so good however and there will be a reason for it, I would guess either wind / teeth / tiredness, but you know him best. There are very few problems that are improved by quitting b/feeding.

Does your b/feeding bod do home visits?

OMG herb, he is sleeping well at night! DS2 is currently waking twice a night plus he doesn't go to bed till 9.30 pm! Lttle monkey! Planning on weaning him onto some solids after half term over with.

herb I had a similar situation at 4.5 months, which I think was a full-on growth spurt. I used to find getting him out and about helped, as it took his mind off things. Good luck and I hope you do stick with the BF as it is definitely worth it in the long run.

Thanks again ladies for all your help and support. I'm off to bed now, with a good book! It's our first night of proper putting DS to bed, so hopefully he'll be asleep from now on...

How was last night? DS2 only woke up once last night

Bad night. He woke up at 11.30 until 1.30, then 4 until 4.30, then 6.30. But it would appear he's got a cold, which would explain him not feeding well. I'm knackered, but am taking him to a weaning workshop. Better go!

ouch, that sounds bad!

DS2 currently having a nap in his new cot. Will do daytime naps for a few days and then might move him in there for night time too. At 23 weeks he is rather wedged into his moses basket! LOL

Well, a visit to clinic reveals that he's putting on weight fine, and he's back to sleeping 9 or 10 hours at night. So I think perhaps I don't need to worry! The frequent feeding, and fussing, are probably explained by the recent cold. And the lack of sleeping in the day is I think because I keep missing his 'sleep cues'. Yesterday, whenever he was remotely cranky, I did dummy, shush, rock, and he fell asleep! And was consequently an angel all day. Well, until the evening.

Ah well, it's all a learning curve!

Hi herb, glad you sound a bit more positive today,