4 Week Old Feeding

[jolies1]

My newborn is 4 weeks tomorrow - we had a slightly tricky start to feeding as I was unwell and dehydrated after C-section & an infection. We had a couple of days combi feeding but now are mainly breastfeeding with DH giving baby a bottle of expressed milk or formula around 10pm to give me a stretch of sleep. Baby seems to be getting milk as we have had lots of wet and dirty nappies all the way through. My supply seems to drop a bit in the afternoons and he has often cluster fed around this time. When I get a longer stretch (after DH gives a bottle) I can comfortably express 100-150ml with a hand pump.

The last couple of days however he seems unsettled when feeding, he wriggles himself around and pushes at me with his legs when trying to latch, pulls at my nipple when it’s in his mouth and is frustrated when he comes off. He has also had more occasions of spit up and he often has hiccups after feeding. Still plenty of nappies, I don’t have sore nipples etc, however I do have a prickly pins & needles sort of sensation in my breast.

Any ideas of what might be going on and how to mitigate?

I'm no expert - would definitely be worth seeking out local breastfeeding support. You might have peer support groups, breastfeeding cafes, (NCT host some) etc.

Tbh it just sounds as though he's experiencing some wind.

Relatively lower supply early evening I had been led to understand is normal, and then picks up through the evening and overnight.

Try to pump to match baby's demand even if you're initially offering a formula top up (or top up with expressed milk from another time of day). That way your breasts get the signal that more supply is required.

Sounds like it could be fast let down. Nothing to worry about and will sort itself out but might want to follow advice above re: breastfeeding support groups.