breastfeeding?

Question

Lately Ive been finding my 4 week old is always hungry, like every 30 mins to an hour hes hungry. Is this normal? Am I not producing enough milk for him?
He isn't at the nipple for very long, maybe less then 10 mins at a time. I always offer more, but he doesn't take it.

Also have any of you moms had a sharp pain in your breast while feeding? When I feed him from one breast I have sharp pain in the other. The pain is mostly on my right breast. Midwife checked for thrush but thats a no.

Any ideas?

Im stilling getting lots of dirty nappies, so I know hes eating.

Hes been spiting up alot as well. Sometimes only a little bit but the odd time he spits up alot

I had a doctor come to my home and she checked but found nothing. She also doesnt know much about breastfeeding.

My son is 4 weeks old and 1 day old

When I feed from one breast, the other breast gets the pain

Answer 1

If I remember right, there's a growth spurt at four weeks, and they eat like crazy. It'll take a day or two for your milk production to catch up, so don't worry.

Try looking at info from the La Leche League. They may even have a group near you. There's nothing more calming to hear words from an experienced mother! So, try to find some sort of baby group where you can talk to other moms.

As for the breast pain -- breasts are weird. Yes, I sometimes had that. Check for a lump, and you can sometimes massage it out. Sometimes it's just a mystery. If the midwife finds nothing, you MAY want to check with a doctor. Definitely do if the breast is really feverish, getting red, swelling up, etc. Lots of modern doctors support breast feeding, so it's not like when our moms were feeding their babies.

Answer 2

At four weeks old, he's at just the right age to be experiencing a growth spurt, which is preceeded by frequent short feeds. This is perfectly normal so don't worry about that, especially seeing as he has frequent wet and dirty nappies.

As for the sharp pain, it could be a let down reflex, engorgement or muscular spasm in the interstitial rib area.

If you are feeling a little tense when you start to feed, you can often get a sharp pain deep in the breast you are NOT feeding from (muscular spasm). To combat this, consciously relax your shoulders down when you begin a feed. Because you are holding your baby on the other side, your muscles on that side are stretched and pulled differently, so don't spasm.

If the pain coincides with your milk starting to flow strongly, then it's a letdown reflex, and should ease off in the next few weeks (you'll still be able to feel it, but it won't be so painful, more like a tingling).

If it's engorgement, you'll know because your breast feels really full, hot and heavy. Engorgement sorts itself out once your supply has sorted itself out to meet your baby's demand.

Answer 3

I breastfed my Son for 9 months last year. I found I had mild pains and also congealed milk, you must massage and massage your breast to keep the milk flowing and stop clogs. It was very painful to begin with, the first 6 weeks were messy and sore but my Son is so healthy it was well worth the pain and discomfort. Your baby and you are still bonding, he will comfort feed and this can be little and often, I was up 4-6 times in the night. You are producing plenty of milk, just make sure he attached fully and sucking both the fore milk and the hind milk, practice makes perfect and it will take time. Don't give up, you are doing such a beautiful thing and you will be so close, the very best of luck, Jo xxx

Answer 4

Probably a growth spurt - I'm sure it won't last long, don't worry. just feed him whenever he needs it.

It is so very rare for a mum not to produce enough milk, that I seriously doubt this is your problem, especially if his diapers are ok.

yes, I had that sharp pain too - right in my nipple and also in my breast - 4 weeks is still so new into this: I found by 3 months pretty much everything is settled down, don't worry.

My daughter only fed for 10 mins at a time and still does, pretty much - go with the flow; feed him every time he needs it and for as often as he needs it and all will be well.

Answer 5

Hello,

I'm a mother of 5, and I've been breastfeeding for 15 years (with a short break during pregnancies).

Please visit the pages listed below to see some wonderful breastfeeding video clips from Dr. Jack Newman, who is a Pediatrician who works with moms who are having trouble breastfeeding.

As you watch the videos, you will learn how to do compressions effectively, and how to hold your baby so that he latches on well. All of these things will help him to get more milk, and stay interested in the breast longer so that he's not wanting to nurse every 30 minutes.

As for the pain in your breast, it could be the beginning of a clogged milk duct, and frequent nursings to empty the breast will be helpful. If baby isn't emptying the breast (and it sounds like he's not), then you could get a clogged milk duct.

Frequent nursings in varying positions is what worked best for me when I got a clogged milk duct - and resting a lot, with baby tucked in beside me. At 4 weeks, I noticed that if I was doing too much, I would start to get a breast infection - and that was my body's way of saying "slow down".

Hope this helps.

Kirstyn Sierra
Mother of 5 breastfed babies

Answer 6

This all sounds normal. Just remember that his tiny little tummy is about the size of his fist and he cant go for long periods like we do. Also your milk is his only food. So snacks, drinks, main meals... its all you my love!
And you are producing enough, so dont worry about that. I know how frustrating it is that you cant see how much he's getting but the fact that he's still doing wet and dirty nappies is enough to put your mind at ease.
And the pain in your breast maybe the begining of mastitis. I maybe wrong but it sounds like what i went through. I would go see your doc or midwife and just let them know. But the best way to get rid of this is to keep feeding. I know it hurts but it'll all be ok in the end. (and the doc or midwife can give you more info then we can.)
Hang in there! and good luck with the feeding. Well done!!

Answer 7

i am not female but have worked in the medical field and was with my wife through the whole thing it could be that your milk has not fully came in yet and yes it was common for him to want the breast evry few minnutes at times just because he was only getting a small amount each time he would nurse and the pains she had them too and her doctor told her it was a good chance that it was caused from her milk coming down into that breast getting ready for the baby to nurse I dont think you have anything to worry about and I hope that my knowledge was usefull to you any way good luck and hope all is well oh by the way her pains stoped after her body got addapted to the nursing

Answer 8

Sounds to me like your child is going through a normal growth spurt. This can happen fairly frequently through the first several months. They nurse more often to get your supply up to demand.
As for the sharp pain- are you letting down on the other side when you nurse? I remember having sharp let down pains (had oversupply) and could easily soak a rag on the other side. Does it kind of feel like a "pressure" pain?

Answer 9

sounds like a growth spurt, its normal.

sharp pain sounds like engorgement, fast let down or blocked duct. check out le leche league website for more information and help with each.

congrats and good luck

Answer 10

perhaps he isn't to keen on what your eating. What you eat gets passed to breastmilk, maybe try eating something bland. I never had any sharp pains when i breastfed, it could just be he is sucking to hard to get milk.