breast feeding question?

Question

I have been breastfeeding for a little over 3 weeks. My baby was doing great at first. I knew she was getting enough cause of the wet and soiled diapers and she also spit up a bit. For the last 3 days she hasn't had a bowel movement. And she eats non stop for a couple hours before she is satisfied. I actually think she just likes sucking but I'm afraid its not letting my milk to come back in before the next feeding. What is happening and what should I do?

Answer 1

3 weeks marks the first big growth spurt. It's normal for the baby to need to nurse almost constantly at this time. This will ensure that you produce enough milk to sustain a larger child! The longer she nurses the more hind milk she will get which is richer and higher in calories. You don't have to worry about your milk "coming back in" before the next feeding because your breasts are never really empty to begin with.

Now onto the poo issue. Most breastfed babies go down to one soiled diaper a week (or so) around six weeks of age. Yours is a little on the young side to start this but is most likely just fine. I would call the pediatrician for reassurance and just keep nursing away. Growth spurts usually only last a few days so hang in there! You're doing a great job by breastfeeding WTG!!

Answer 2

Your milk doesn't need to "come back in" between feedings. Your breasts aren't bottles that need refilled. Breastmilk is made on demand at the time that the baby nurses. The more often you nurse, the more you'll make. Empty breasts make milk faster than full ones.

Getting engorged in between feedings is a sign that either you have too much milk or that you are going too long between nursing sessions.

3 weeks is a common growth spurt time, which means for about 2-4 days you'll feel like you do absolutely nothing but nurse. That's normal. Then baby will probably begin to fall into a more predictable pattern. And then there will be another growth spurt around 6 weeks.

It is normal for baby's bowel movement to begin to slow down some. Usually, this happens around 6 weeks of age. Your baby may just be experiencing it earlier. The nutrients in breastmilk are so well absorbed by the baby that sometimes there is little or no waste. Baby may only go once a week and this is normal! (But LOOK OUT as it'll probably be impressive when she does go!) Breastmilk is a natural laxative, so as long as she is still exclusively breastfed, don't worry about constipation. (And remember that constipation means having hard, dry, formed stools.)

Answer 3

Breastfed babies can go 3 or 4 days without having a bowel movement easy and not be constipated. Breastmilk is so perfect there is no waste needed to be expelled from the body. My daughter went from pooing every time she ate to once or twice a week when she was about your daughters age. It really is nothing to worry about. The sucking for two hours is normal too. You could try a pacifier to give your breasts a break if you'd like, but again, like yours my daughter would nurse for an hour or two at a time. Don't worry about your boobs running out of milk, they are constantly making milk as it is eaten by the baby. You are doing a great job, keep it up!!!

Answer 4

How can a baby eat non stop for a few hours? Do you have any idea how much milk she is actually getting? There is a chance that you are not producing enough milk to meet your baby's demand and that she is nursing that long trying to get every drop she can. Or, you just might have a baby that likes to suck for comfort and isn't really drinking that much. I would keep in mind that usually when a baby requires more milk, the mother's body will naturally make more to accommodate the baby. Are you eating and drinking enough? Make sure you have increased your caloric intake and are drinking plenty of water each day. Check with a specialist to see if you are having problems producing milk. Even if your breast seems empty at the next feeding, it probably isn't. With her increased demand, your body should start producing more within the next few days. Hopefully, it won't produce too much and leave you engorged.

I would suggest contacting your doctor, a lactation specialist or the La Leche League at www.lalecheleague.org. You want to make sure your baby is gaining weight and getting enough milk. Breastfeeding can be very challenging. I breastfed 3 kids for the first 12months of their lives. Although rewarding, all 3 times it was painful, frustrating and challenging . I hope you stick with it. Good Luck!!

Answer 5

First of all you should be worried about the bowel mouvement call her pediatrician so he/she could give you something for the baby. Concerning breastfeeding, the baby knows when to stop, if she keep on sucking meaning she needs more (not than 3 hours though). My daughter was the same way, sometimes I feel like her stomach is going to burst, but she wa fine her doctor said. I breastfeed for 2 years (I know it's weird) but there is not one day my breast was dry, even if the baby is not sucking on it or not getting any milk for days, you will always have milk. I was sick once and I didn't breastfeed her for 2 days and I still had milk. Try to pump it sometimes to see what happen and to make you have a more regualted flow. I used to go too school therefore I had to pump 5 bottles every morning.
Don't worry everything will be fine, just make sure she has a regular bowel mouvement and breastfeed her, it's her breast let her play with it sometimes they just like the smell and the affection
I hope baby is fine
if you have more concern send me another message

Answer 6

It's about time for your baby to have a growth spurt. They will eat more often during this time to build up your milk. It's not fun for a nursing mom, but it doesn't take long for your milk to catch up. As long as she is still having wet diapers then things are ok. Breastmilk is more easily digested than formula. So, it is pretty normal for the baby to go a few days without a dirty diaper. Once she gets your supply built up in a couple of days it will be ok to introduce a pacifier because by now nursing has been well established. She could also be using you as a pacifier sometimes.

Answer 7

First call your md to report no bm for 3 days. She should have at least 6 wet diapers/24hrs. Babies suck not only when they are hungry, but uncomfortable, sleepy, etc. Whatever is in your breast will be empty after 20 mins of active sucking. Is she wetting enough? If not, supplement right after feeding with some water or formula. Don't do it in between because it messes up the next feeding. Is the baby yellow? If so, call md, could be jaundiced. Are you drinking enough liquids? Did you eat something gassy, or garlic? Passes through milk, baby soesn't like it. Drinking, eating, resting when she naps=good breast milk. Do not give dark Karo syrup as Aunt Sue recommends, due to botulism content. Use a pacifier. She spits it out from her toungue reflex, not because she doesn't like it. Recap: Call md, extra fluid for you and baby, watch diet, get rest. Lack of fluid=constipation. Good Luck! Codyodeo, former maternal/child RN.

Answer 8

i breastfed for 2.5 years. the not getting a soiled diaper for a few days is normal but if you are really worried call the pediatrician. believe me the baby could be lached on all day and the longer the baby is on the more milk you will have even if you don't actually see it or feel it coming out. you are are actually constantly producing milk so don't worry you and baby will be ok.
btw congratulations on choosing breastfeeding it really is the best.

Answer 9

i think of maximum individuals have indexed the foremost variations right here. in simple terms a pair of strategies to function. Breast milk has the fore milk (watery, thirst quenching milk) and hind milk (rich, fatty and friendly milk) which follows a jiffy later. as quickly as I show, that each physique gets blended at the same time, so each so often my toddler has to have some water as properly to ascertain his thirst is quenched. I went back to artwork while my toddler replaced into 3 months, so pumping replaced into the only way he gets my breastmilk interior the day time. So from that attitude, this is a real helpful. yet as quickly as I had the alternative between breastfeeding or pumping, i could elect at once from the breast each time.

Answer 10

I wouldn't worry for now. When my baby was 1 month old, he didn't poo for over a week and the doc said not to worry. Let your baby suck on demand and your milk supply will adjust. It will get easier and easier, so don't give up!