Not enough milk?

[harverina]

Hi,

This may be more of a rant...sorry.

I am exclusivley BF my 13 week DD and family members keep commenting that "she may not be getting enough" because she feeds every 2-3 hours. My DD has plenty of wet and dirty nappies and when she was weighed 3 weeks ago, she has again gained weight. I am starting to get paranoid now and will take her to get weighed next week.

Same family members even suggest introducing solids!!! I dont feel that my DD isnt getting enough. She feeds on demand and she comes off the breast when she wants.

These same people also keep saying "you need to give her a dummy"!!! No ides why when my wonderful DD is great at settling herself in bed and only cries when hungry.

Sorry for rant!

Is she is gaining weight, wee-ing and poo-ing regularly then she is probably fine. By all means get her weighed, I was always pootling off to baby clinic as I'm such a worrier. My dd still fed every 2-3 hours at 13 weeks, not long feeds but it was very rare for her to go longer. She piled on the weight.

But ignore then and carry on as you are! Hope it all goes smoothly.

Rant away - I don't blame you.

Congratulations on DD and BF. Sounds like it's going swimmingly. Really, really try not to get paranoid at others stupid comments.

All you need now is a poster to give you a clever comeback to shut these people up, I know what I'd be inclined to say.

Honestly, why can't people just be positive.

Keep up the good work, don't change a thing!

There's no need to weigh her unless YOU are concerned. Please don't let these comments upset you, you sound like you are doing a fantastic job! TBH having plenty of nappies and the baby's wellbeing generally is a better indicator of whether or not they are getting enough milk than weighing is - it's just that weighing gives a solid result to stick into a book and record. 2-3 hours is fine!

Next time they say that, ask them if they would go 4 hours without food or water (even a cup of tea) and see what they say. Then say why do you expect my baby to then?

If she wanted more, she would ask for more, and it would be right there for you to give her, without you even having to think about it - that's what's so great about breastfeeding.

My family suggested today that ds3 (7 weeks today) should be on solids, as he was feeding fairly frequently. I pointed out it was 28 degrees, and it's just possible he was hot and thirsty....and that they were completely insane to suggest solids!

harverina - time to put your foot down and put an end to these interfering and unhelpful comments.

Tell them, firmly, to desist.

This strategy will pay off over the next 20 years

Thank you all. I will def be asking them if they could go 4 hours without food or drink thats a brilliant way to put it! Especially when its so warm. I know family have my dd's best interests at heart but its really frustrating when they make these comments when they did not even bf! I don't think they understand that bf'ing is so different to formula feeding. The good thing in all of this is that I love breastfeeding and we have had no problems with it at all...none at all. My dh is always saying that I need to be more confident in myself and my parenting. Easier said than done! When people make comments I am always quite firm but then I start to doubt myself afterwards! Every time I am out with my mum she makes a comment about my dd not having a dummy! I wonder when she will give up!

I meant to say. My dd is now sleeping for 9 hours during the night. Surely she wouldn't do that if she was hungry??

It's because they didn't breastfeed that they're making daft comments - they don't understand what it's like.

As for sleeping through the night make the best of it because it may not last. (And if it does, well.. bugger you! )

Congratulations on your DD.

No, she wouldn't sleep for 5 hours if she was hungry and she wouldn't gain weight and have plenty of wet and dirty nappies.

You sound like you are doing a fab job and I agree with your DH, don't doubt yourself. You know that they have no experience of bfing and their ideas are outdated.

Do you mix with any other bfing Mums? Just thought that it might give you a bit more confidence.

Also that fact that you are managing without a dummy is brilliant your DD doesn't 'need' one and it will save problems later if you don't use one - we had a struggle to get DS off his

DS2 (15 weeks) feeds every 2 hours or so through the day and does a 9-10hr stretch at night.

Suits me just fine!

No dummies, no bottles, no solids and he has great big fat rolls so no worries either.

Morloth your ds sounds just like my dd. Thanks everyone for your posts. I have started a breastfeeding group so that is def giving me more confidence. It makes me see just how well we are doing and reassures me that all is Ok.

My DS is the same, 12 weeks, feeds often in the day and does a 9 hour stretch at night. In this heat I have abandoned any attempt at a 3-4 hourly routine, I need to drink more often.

I agree re: the 9 hours in the night, thats a sure sign she is getting enough.

Also why would you use a dummy if your baby settles without

MumNW, exactly, she settles so well, apart from during growth spurts. And she only cries when hungry - yes there are times when she will scream for food when we are somewhere where I can't feed her right away eg. the car. Yes, maybe a dummy would soothe her for an extra couple of minutes in these situations, but I dont think its a good enough reason to give her one. Maybe I am wrong!

We sound like we are pretty lucky with our DC's! I can cope with alot of feeding during the day now that my DD has a longer stretch during the night. This past week my DD hasnt been settling before 9pm. Think she has sore gums and also a grwoth spurt as she is feeding more at night. However, some mornings she has been sleeping till 6.30am, which is wonderful!