Nursing or BTDT Moms... When does nursing get easier???

DS is almost 4 weeks old and I thought nursing would have gotten easier by now but it really hasn't. He is big so he eats about 4 oz a feeding. He stays on each breast for a min. of 20 minutes and a lot of times, I switch back to the breast I started on because he's still hungry. I try to pump a few times a day but I only get about 3 oz combined so I don't have much extra to supplement at feedings. His evening feedings have become painful. He chumps down on me and pulls himself off a lot and seems to get fussy.

Is this normal? Any suggestions for increasing my supply? I almost feel like giving up.

Re: Nursing or BTDT Moms... When does nursing get easier???

I eat oatmeal every morning.

drink water before each feeding and if you can after as well.

Mine would go on a min of 10 minutes at that age. One boob a feeding.

In the beginning I use to have to hand express out some foremilk before putting him on.

6 weeks was the magic number

Re: Nursing or BTDT Moms... When does nursing get easier???

First of all, you're doing a great job! 3oz pumping at 4 weeks is good. I remember getting so happy if I totaled 2 oz in a session. He is more than likely getting enough from you, whther big or not. My baby was 11 1/2 pounds and I briefly supplemented (2-4 ounces per day) because I was hospitalized for a while in that first month after delivery.

20 minutes on each side, 40 total sounds like he may be using you as a pacifier. He may be cranky because he just wants something to suck on, not necessarily be hungry.

Re: Nursing or BTDT Moms... When does nursing get easier???

You are doing a great job! I posted the same question just a few weeks back when I was sure this was one of the toughest things I'd ever done....now just a few weeks later it has gotten easier. There were so many feedings he would be soooo fussy, I wasn't sure if he was full, hungry, gassy or just tired.....but you learn as you go. My DS has become more efficient at feeding and I also am figuring out his cues more......one thing I told myself though is I would try not to beat myself up if I couldn't/can't continue BFing, you try your best and thats all you can do.

Re: Nursing or BTDT Moms... When does nursing get easier???

It got better for me around 4 weeks but I still had some "issues" until about 6 weeks. I would also say that 40 min total sounds like you have become a pacifier. My DD would often become fussy and keep taking herself off. I thought she was still hungry because she would open her mouth and go back on but 2 seconds later she was off again. now I think she was actually done but didn't know how to say no so she would go on and then get mad because she didn't want anymore and I was 'forcing' in on her. She also gets fussy when she is overtired. Now when she takes herself off more than 2-3x, I stop feeding her and burp. She usually calms down and then we work on getting her to sleep if that is what I think she needs.

I think your experience is totally normal and I was told it would take 6-8 weeks to finally get it down. Remember not only are you learning how to do this but so is your DS.

Keep it up! YOu are doing great!!!

Message edited 5/9/2008 2:32:36 PM.

Re: Nursing or BTDT Moms... When does nursing get easier???

Posted by nickipa

You are doing a great job! I posted the same question just a few weeks back when I was sure this was one of the toughest things I'd ever done....now just a few weeks later it has gotten easier. There were so many feedings he would be soooo fussy, I wasn't sure if he was full, hungry, gassy or just tired.....but you learn as you go. My DS has become more efficient at feeding and I also am figuring out his cues more......one thing I told myself though is I would try not to beat myself up if I couldn't/can't continue BFing, you try your best and thats all you can do.

Re: Nursing or BTDT Moms... When does nursing get easier???

6 weeks was the magic number for me too.

But we had to supplement with formula because I had a big guy as well and I just wasn't producing enough!!

Re: Nursing or BTDT Moms... When does nursing get easier???

Thanks everyone! I appreciate all your advice. I hope 6 weeks is a magic number for us as well!

Re: Nursing or BTDT Moms... When does nursing get easier???

for me it was a while past 6 weeks and that is all I am going to say I am EBF....I think every baby is different. I think you are doing a great job!!!!!!

Message edited 5/9/2008 3:05:52 PM.

Re: Nursing or BTDT Moms... When does nursing get easier???

It was 8 weeks for me and that was a VERY dramatic difference. Before that it was awful for me - I had lots of issues. After that point, its been a breeze. Hang in there you are doing great

Re: Nursing or BTDT Moms... When does nursing get easier???

At about 6 weeks things got much easier for us.

Let DS nurse on demand for a few days and then your supply should meet his needs. Drink lots of water.

Re: Nursing or BTDT Moms... When does nursing get easier???

I agree that 6 weeks was when it started to get better. Look for signs on him not actively sucking/swallowing anymore and try taking him off. It is hard at this point in time becuase the extra sucking is helping to increase your supply. Try to give it a few more weeks.

Re: Nursing or BTDT Moms... When does nursing get easier???

ETA: I found drinking lots of water and oatmeal to be very helpful

Re: Nursing or BTDT Moms... When does nursing get easier???

6 or 8 weeks

Re: Nursing or BTDT Moms... When does nursing get easier???

About 6-8 weeks for me. I heard if you suppliment you will cause less demand on your body and you will produce less. I would read up on it from La Leche league./ If your pumping and then the next feeding he is chomping its because you did not replace what you took out. Hard to say. I almost quit so many times. now at almost 3 months I am so happy I stuck it out. no bottles to bring when I go out and I dont even leave my room in the middle of the night. Hang in there and this to shall pass. He will get better. Eat well and drink lots and lots of water.

Re: Nursing or BTDT Moms... When does nursing get easier???

I don't have alot to add, more to just repeat and reinforce. BFing is hard work and you sound like you are doing great by hanging in there and coming to us with questions instead of throwing in the towel! So, pat yourself on the back for getting this far!!

I eat oatmeal every day. I stopped for a while and my supply suffered noticably. I also drink lots of water, not only before and after feeding but during the feeding (make sure your DH brings you some water and drink drink drink). When I went back to work I stopped drinking as much, and again suffered a noticable decrease.

I have learned to only let DD pull off twice before giving her a pacifier. DD is 5 months and she doesn't eat for 40 minutes. To me that sounds like too much.

Keep up the good work!!!

Re: Nursing or BTDT Moms... When does nursing get easier???

Ive been nursing for 9 weeks now and have found my supply is much lower at night... so i pump first thing in the morning. Also... DRINK and eat more... i find when i skip a meal (bc i dont have time to eat) I have less milk! HTH
Can you supplement with formula especially at night?

Re: Nursing or BTDT Moms... When does nursing get easier???

ok i saw a 9 week so i will tell you i was around 10 weeks... my DD was small and wanted alot of BM