Will I always be worried if he getting enough to eat?

[SAHNE]

Help!  Ds is nearly six months and I have worried pretty much every day of his life if he is getting enough to eat or not.  He is ebf and is nearly 20 lbs and has grown so well.  I don't know what my problem is.  He nurses five times during the day, no dreamfeed and sleeps 8-7.  Can anyone help me understand this feeling??  It makes me want to quit nursing.  Oh, no solids yet as he has MSPI (milk soy protein intolerance) and reacted to squash and sweet potatoes so we're waiting another month to try again.

Thanks,
Steph

[nursekat]

SAHNE, I always thought I had that feeling because I'm a nurse and used to seeing exactly how many ounces go into the babes at work. 

As long as your LO is gaining weight, has frequent wet diapers, and doesn't act hungry between feeds, I'd say you're doing a great job.  Keep up the good work!   

[daniellechiasson]

Just wanted to let you know I also worried about my DD getting enough food. She was EBF and gave me tons of trouble in the beginning. After finally getting my footing she did great for about 4 months. Next thing I know, she's down to 5 minute feedings, one side only!! Needless to say, I was a mess but she was happy as could be.

Take comfort in your happy LO. Like Kat said, if gaining, wet diapers etc are all falling into the norm you must be doing something right!!

I think as parents we always need a bit of reassurance. I know for myself I wish I was more confident, I think it comes as we get more and more comfortable. It's all about wanting the best for your baby and from the sounds of it, he's got a very caring, plugged in mommy!

Danielle

[First Time Mom]

Hi Steph!

I worried every day when dd was ebf, even periodically took her in weekly to the bfing clinic to get her weight checked . She's rather small and has always had low weight gains. Many times I wanted to give up bfing because of the worry but then I would come to this site, call the local bfing clinic, reread over and over every detail I could find on increasing supply, latching, etc. Once she started solids the worry did not go away! Then it was a new worry- now that she's eating solids, will it decrease my supply, will I now not have enough, ah, the list went on! Only now I can say I don't worry (as much ).

I think it's 2 part- one, the fact that we can't visually see what they are taking in and two, the fact that they have MSPI and perhaps other allergies, this makes us fret more.

At 20 pounds, 5 feeds, and sleeping through the night, I think your lo is doing great!

[saraswathi]

It's hard eh? It's a very common worry, and I think it's the product of a formula feeding culture. Breastfeeding doesn't allow you to measure everthing the way formula feeding does - but look at it this way, it saves you a lot of hassle! Sooner or later, you'll have the courage to look at your baby, and how healthy and happy he is, and focus less on things like growth charts and feed times etc. I think that mark for me was around the end of the first year. My daughter is now 26 months and I've learnt to take other's opinions with a large grain of salt - I know how great she's doing! Being a first-time parent is hard - hang in there, you're doing just fine :-)

[clh]

Steph, it sounds like you're doing a wonderful job!    Good for you for making it to 6 months.  You're taking great care of your baby!    I can't tell you how to stop worrying.  I think all mommies do.  But it sounds like you have a healthy, happy, content ds.  Just keep following his cues.  Great job!  Come to us and/or call a helpline (#'s in FAQ) for encouragement when you need to.  Hang in there!

[SAHNE]

Thanks for the encouragement!!  I was not prepared for how hard bf would be.  Seems like such a natural thing - it isn't for me though.  We'll press on for now!! 

Thanks,
Steph