Breastfeeding 3 month old?

Question

My 3 month old nurses when we are together and gets almost all EBM while I work FT. He eats 6-8 oz every 3-4 hr while I'm gone. Lately he has been wanting to breastfeed actively for maybe 10-15 min but about every 2 hours. He then wants to stay on and suck/sleep and gets mad if I move him and sometimes won't settle till I start to BF again. He sleeps for about 8 hours at night and wets about 8 diapers a day. Is this just comfort nursing, is he not happy with the amount, or is he just making up for sleeping at night?

I started back at work 3 weeks ago. He sleeps close to 8 hours with only nursing on my days off (I work 3 12hr days) so he must be getting enough I assume.

Answer 1

Sounds like comfort nursing. My daughter started that up around the same time and one day just got over it. Did you just recently start working again. Maybe baby boy is eating like this so he can be with you more.

Answer 2

I don't believe it is comfort feeding, though many responders say that it is. Babies don't have the ability to become "spoiled" in that way until about 4 months. So this is a great time to address the issue.

My baby started sleeping through the night in her 2nd month, and because of that she required more frequent feedings. Every 2-4 hours, but usually every 2 1/2 hours. For the most part, that is pretty normal. 10-15 minutes does not sound like a lot of time, so that may be the problem...

Couple of questions for you think about:

1. Are you pumping while at work?
If you are not pumping during the times that he is getting supplemented your milk production will decrease. If that is the problem, he may not be getting enough. If you are pumping, this isn't a concern.

2. Is he eating formula or breastmilk from the bottle?
Babies who eat formula eat less often then breastfeed babies. Formula is thicker and lasts longer. If this is the case, he is doing perfectly fine.

3. Are you familiar with foremilk and hindmilk?
The first 5 or so minutes of breastfeeding gives the baby watery milk (for thirst). After that comes the hind milk. It is full of nutrients and thick. It lasts longer in the tummy (like formula).

Hope those help you figure out what the issue is. Best of luck! I give you props for breastfeeding while working! That is a commitment and one to be admired.

Answer 3

I would think that he is nursing because he misses you and needs the contact with you.

However I would point out that your caregiver is likely overfeeding your son during the day - this is actually quite common. Combine a baby that doesn't know how to control the flow of milk from a bottle with an upset baby and a caregiver who offers bottles whenever the baby squaks or expects a breastfed baby to act loogey after eating the way a formula fed baby does and you can overfeed a breastfed baby to the point they won't eat when mom is around.

A breastfed baby that is between 1-6 months of age should be eating 19-32oz per day. Which means during a 12 hour stint at a daycare they probably shoudln't be eating more than 20oz. And that really only leaves two to three 4-6oz feedings while you are around.

You can read more about how much EBM a baby should be drinking here:
http://www.kellymom.com/bf/pumping/milkcalc.html#howmuch

8 diapers a day is fine though.

Other than that I am having a little bit of trouble understanding your question? Are you upset about how much he is nursing or how much he is sleeping. Anyway I am exhausted so it isn't surprising I am not getting it.

If you want to discuss more specific questions feel free to e-mail me, just click my name.

Answer 4

Your baby can be hitting a grow spurt, your will notice that he will be eating longer and more often. Babies go throught grow spurts like every three months, also BM is digested faster that formula so there is a reason for him to get hungrier faster, remember that every baby is different and your always need to check with your doctor, don't cut the feedings, it wont benefit either one of you. The sucking is also a comfort feeling for a baby, don't allow him to fall asleep while nursing, if you notice he is getting drowsy, switch him of get him a bit undressed. You can ask your pediatrician if you can add some rice cereal to your bottled EBM to hold him over a bit longer. Great deal you have a baby that sleeps for 8 hours!
Good luck with your feedings

Answer 5

I'm not clear about the amount of sleep. He only sleeps 8 hours at night? Or that is his longest stretch? It sounds like he's sleepy and needs to sleep at your breast. He also probably needs your days off to build up the supply. I used to notice a big difference in how much I could pump on Monday compared to Friday. Saturday and Sunday were spent nursing often to replenish the supply. My baby wouldn't let me out of her sight when I went back to work, and she made up for the lost contact with me at night and during those extra nursing sessions. If your baby is in daycare, he's probably not being touched as much as he was touched at home and babies just need lots of touching (or tactile stimulation, as my pediatrician calls it). I hope this helps.

Answer 6

It could just be comfort feeding, but if he is taking 6-8 oz bottles while you are gone, he is probably expecting the same amount (as quickly) from breastfeeding. Unfortunately, it's hard to know how much you give him at a nursing, but it could be that he just isn't getting the 8 oz that he's used to getting from his bottles or it doesn't "come out" as quick. I would consult a lactation specialist for advice. Your local hospital can probably direct you to one in the area and some hospitals have a free breastfeeding hotline that can help you over the phone.

Answer 7

It sounds like he is comfort feeding, yes. Do you blame him? A nice warm, cuddly, cooing, loving mom face to look at and then drift off to sleep...

It sounds like he is getting enough to eat during the day with the EBM and then supplemented with your feeding in the evening when you get home...but, I think he is liking the closeness of you.

I nursed my children til they were 1 year old and now wished I had done it longer. It sure makes a woman slow down and you can't help but stare at the little one and they in turn stare back at you til they drift off to sleep.

Cherish the time together. It all passes too quickly. Good luck to you.

Answer 8

I went through this with my baby (who is now 5 mo.) when he was first born. I know it gets so confusing because everyone tells you something different, but this is what worked for me and what the baby's dr. recommended. My son was wanting to suck for literally an hour, and I thought he was still feeding. (I was also in so much pain!) But I was told that they get the majority of the milk out in the first ten minutes of each side; after that they are pretty much sucking just to suck. Per my dr.'s recommendation, I let my baby eat 10 min. on one side, then 10 on the next, and then made him be done. The first night was horrible; he cried all night. My husband kept wanting me to just give him my breast, but I insisted that we only let him feed for 10 min. I also fed him regularly every 2-2 1/2 hours, waking him up in the day to feed him. (This is when he was a newborn.) Doing this helped put him on a schedule, and in about a week he was used to eating for only 10 min. on each side and no longer cried when I took him off. Now at 5 months, I just feed him when he lets me know he is hungry, and he still eats about 10 min. on each side. But now I don't have to make him stop; he is used to it and has gotten all the milk out, so generally he stops on his own, and is happy when he is done. Ultimately you have to find what works best for you and your baby, but this is what worked for us, and I hope it helps you. Good luck!

Answer 9

I dont believe a baby will become dependant on the paci--my baby is 9 weeks & spit it right out in the hosp..and across the floor out of my room door, lol
but anyway--she doesnt use it all the time, maybe 2x a day--and when she is done with her non nutrative sucking, she'll spit it out-play a bit, then fall asleep.
babies need to suck on something besides a nipple or bottle--its part of that self soothing thing

Answer 10

Some babies have the urge to just suck...trya pacifier at these times. Not all the time as he will become dependant on the pacifier