Help! Is it just hunger...?

OK, I'm really started to get frustrated that Bella isn't being satisfied by breastfeeding alone...With her last feed, she fed 20 mins on my left breast, was still crying, so gave her the right breast (she stayed on for 10 mins), was still crying, gave her 50mls of formula, was STILL crying, and finally gave her another 50mls of formula which finally satisfied her. Now, I'm pretty sure its hunger, because I have her in a fairly predictable feed, play, sleep routine, but could it be anything else?

The other thing I have noticed is that my left breast doesn't seem to yield as much milk as my right. If I pump both of them for 10 mins, I will get about 75mls off the right breast, but only about 25mls off the left...and my let down is WAY slower on the left than the right? Are there any solutions to this?

I'm also sure its NOT a growth spurt, because this has been going on for about a week now

Any help/info would be MUCH appreciated, because at this stage, I am really considering just putting her on formula alone...

AnnC wrote: Sorry to say but growth spurts can go on for longer than a week so could well and truely be one. She is probably feeding more to get your milk flow up (making sure your body produces more to accomodate her growing and needing more)

yep - i agree that could be it and by giving her formula you are hindering that. If she is crying are you sure its not wind...as someone pointed out another thread wind often presents the same as hunger.

Like what, Stacey?? I agree, formula probably isn't helping, but when she's been crying for 2 hours I get desperate . I was pretty sure it WASN'T wind because she's always pretty good at bringing up burps (or doing huge poo explosions) but how do you really know? What good tips are there for winding/burping?

I think you can get a tea to help with milk production. I haven't tried it so don't know whether it works or not, but I think it's called breastfeeding tea & is made by Weleda so maybe ask at a health shop. Also make sure you're drinking plenty of water & maybe try feeding her a bit more frequently for a bit just to help boost your supply.

I've got both the spray and the nursing tea (which by the way looks and tastes like pee!!!)

I don't think I've been taking them long enough to say if they are actually helping. But in saying that you know that I did have milk issues that have come right lately.

Just saw the plunket nurse, and she has given me a few suggestions i.e trying a different position for the left side, as she obviously favours the right for some reason. She also said its completely normal for one boob to yield more milk than the other and some babies just favour one side...So hopefully, slowly but surely, things might come right. Thanks for all your suggestions

Shell21 wrote: . I was pretty sure it WASN'T wind because she's always pretty good at bringing up burps (or doing huge poo explosions) but how do you really know? What good tips are there for winding/burping?

best way i found of telling if caitlyn had wind was checking how hard her tummy was .
There are heaps of ways to bring up wind,its just about finding the best one for your baby, with caitlyn i used to jiggle her lightly on my knee (well supported of course) my friend used to lay her baby on her knee and rub her back, some prefer being held over your shoulder, or on your lap etc etc....it gets so much easier when they are able to bring it up themselves hehe

YAY!!!!!

Fantastic news!