Breastfeeding...still hungry?

[KirstyL]

Hi Ladies,

Just wondering what you all thought...over the last couple of days, LO has been demand feeding as usual, sometimes for 20 minutes a time, then when he naturally comes off, he stuffs his fists in his mouth and sucks like he's starving, and starts rooting at my chest again?!

Also have noticed left hand side boob very sore and nipple very sore too, was a little bit of blood in breastpad this afternoon, never had that before, so not sure what it's for?

Could my milk be drying up? Could he be sucking and sucking, but not getting anything? I used to notice milk round his mouth when he'd finished, but not seeing that now. Am wondering if I should send my OH out to the chemist to get some formula, as I don't want LO starving

Any ideas?
xx

 

[Maria1977]

Hi

Most LOs will feed on and off like that for a few months, getting supply up and stretching their tummies. So think that is normal and don't worry about him not filling up as if he was hungry, as in not getting enough from you alone, he would defo be letting you know with a lot of crying! My LO used to feed off me for hours until he was about 4 months old, then it got a lot less, then around 5 months less again and from just over 6 months he feeds off me usually 3 times a day for a few mins, it's so quick now.

But with regards the blood, is it from the outside? Like is the nipple sore and cracked? If so you could try some nipple creams and maybe try feeding using a nipple shield. If not, if it's coming from inside you could have an infection. If it is from inside I''d speak to GP, HV or a nurse hun just to get it checked out.

 

[Minchin]

^^ WSS

owen was the same, when they have growth sports they feed more to increase your supply. You could try taking fenugreek tablets they increase your milk. I found it so hard to trust in my body but got there eventually. The hand sucking apparently is not a sign of hunger but a normal development thing they do in exploring their world.

xxx

 

[frankie707]

G constantly sucked his hand for the first few months and people kept on saying that he was hungry but a lot of the time he had just fed so I knew he wasn't. The rooting straight after a feed is probably more of a comfort thing. I constantly worried about supply and whether G was getting enough until he was about 4 months and then I realised that if he wasnt getting what he wanted he would be screaming the place down.
The blood - if its from the outside then get yourself some lanisnoh and put it on after every feed.
If its in the milk then it could be a sign of thrush/infection in which case head to the GP for some antibiotics which will clear it up.

 

[KirstyL]

But with regards the blood, is it from the outside? Like is the nipple sore and cracked? If so you could try some nipple creams and maybe try feeding using a nipple shield. If not, if it's coming from inside you could have an infection. If it is from inside I''d speak to GP, HV or a nurse hun just to get it checked out.

Hi hun, I've checked and my nipple seems to be cracked/bleeding/sore on the outside. I have Lanolin already, but i'll have to start using it again, haven't got any nipple shiels, might have to get them.

I just feel reall bad that it was going so well and now we seem to be having problems

 

[frankie707]

Dont worry yourself - slap on the lanisnoh and they should heal up pretty quickly. Maybe try a different position for feeding and see if that stops the same spot being aggravated every feed.