enough milk?

[Sabine]

Just a question.

I have been EBF my now 5 month old baby girl.  She feeds roughly every 3.5 hours and still unfortunately feeds 1-2 times per night (previously only one but teething and starting rolling).

Over the last few weeks she has been waking erratically to feed and sometime more than 1-2 times per night.  I have been single side feeding up until now.  I have tried offering the second breast for more (sometimes she will take it other times not). 

I know this seems like a silly question but will I make enough to increase her need? Can she be going through a growth spurt?  Do I continue double side feeding (ie. offering the second side)? She still has good wet diapers and about 2-3 good BM's per day and is a happy girl.

[mum101]

Hi,
Leo was similar at that stage, he used to wake once and sometimes not at all until 4/5 month then he woke more. Same erratic feeds too. It was mentioned on here that erratic feeds are a sign of hunger, rather than habit.

Yes, keep offering as much in the day, including second sides. You could also use breast compression to fill up on the fatty hind milk once she starts to slow her feeding on the one side.

It may be a growth spurt, does she feed more in the day too?

There always seems something to wake Leo!  He's on his 5th tooth now, he may be going thru separation anxiety etc. Painful!!  Sometimes I think he just wants comfort. 

 

[Mum of 3 + 2 stepkids]

Hi Firstly YES you will 'make enough' for her

So many things can be the cause of restless sleep once they get to this age. Like you say teeth and rolling could be the culprit My DS has had terrible pains due to teething and i didn't even notice my other two lo's teething at all (my poor baby).

You also mentioned that you were thinking it could be a 'GS', this is very possible. For many lo's (including mine) the 5mth GS was a BIG one and its a time when many mothers start to dout whats going on. Like Charmaine says just offer as much as she will take in the day and maybe you can get an extra feed before bed in the evening to help tank her up and if it is a GS it will hopefully soon be over

You can always offer the second side but don't worry if she won't take it, if she wants the extra then she will.

Sounds like your doing a great job

HTH
Kate x

[Sabine]

thanks for the advice;)

[Mum of 3 + 2 stepkids]

Anytime, hope things work out but let us know if they don't

Kate x

[clh]

I'm late, but it really does sound like you're doing fine.