Author Topic: Fussing when extending feed times  (Read 1123 times)

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Offline AllyT

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Fussing when extending feed times
« on: December 23, 2010, 19:43:19 pm »
I've just extended my 4 mos old to 3.5 hrs between feeds (jumped straight from 3-3.5, not gradual). He isn't protesting to waiting, but he fusses during nursing where he didn't before. Is this usual? I'm wondering if the flow is faster because there's more milk in there? Or possibly he's more hungry and therefore impatient that the flow is too slow???
Just wondered if anyone else experienced this.
        

Offline ~ Vik ~

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Re: Fussing when extending feed times
« Reply #1 on: December 24, 2010, 02:46:50 am »
Have you tried going back to 3h?  Or even extending it more slowly, so trying 3h10-15m?  What happens?  I ask because ebf babies often need more frequent feeds than bottle fed babies because breastmilk is so easily digested, so they don't move to a 3.5h or a 4h feeding routine as quickly.  Dylan was on a 3h routine until 4.5mo, then a 3.5h routine until about 5.5mo when we started solids, and that's fairly normal in an ebf lo.

It could be either of the things you mentioned - he could be really hungry by the time you feed, and is impatient for the letdown so fussing because there's no milk there right away.  He could also be fussing because of a stronger letdown/faster flow because of more milk.  Or on the opposite end, he could be fussing because the sudden change in frequency has decreased your milk supply a bit.

When you say fussing, what do you mean?  Is he bobbing on and off, crying, whining, squirming, etc.?  I would try feeding him more frequently (ie back to 3h or just a bit more) and see if that helps.
D ~ dairy, egg, peanut/nut and mustard allergies
Proud to have breastfed for over 24 months!


Offline AllyT

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Re: Fussing when extending feed times
« Reply #2 on: December 25, 2010, 00:57:24 am »
Thanks for all of your help today Vikki! I should have saved you some work and posted it all in one topic. =)
What I mean by 'fussing' is he'll bob off about midway and give a little protest, I reattach him and he finishes up. It's really quite minor, just different from his usual.
When I did feed him sooner this evening (2h15min & 2h50min), to fit around his CN and bedtime, he still did the little fuss. Hopefully it resolves soon, not that it's a huge deal, he's still a far better nurser than DS1. =)
        

Offline Love, laughter, & PJs

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Re: Fussing when extending feed times
« Reply #3 on: December 25, 2010, 03:10:58 am »
Just another thought - this age is infamous for spacey nursing.  Not sure if I'd quite count this as that, but it's an idea.  It's basically just that they have such a developmental leap that they can't focus on nursing as well as they had been.  (This can affect nights as well - I know you have another thread going on that. ;))  Check this out: http://www.kellymom.com/parenting/sleep/4mo-sleep.html
*Kate*